This past weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Chicago on "business" with Holley. I use the term "business" loosely because I have the best boss/friend who believes in, "all work and no play makes you boring and unhappy." That phrase is actually on our company website (which I will unveil for you soon when it is ready). So with that being said, I would say I have the best job, and boss, in the world ;)
After browsing through the pictures, you will see why I need to go on some sort of fast, or cleanse, get a trainer or some combination of those. We ate and drank our way through Chicago and it was well worth the weight gain ;)
Upon our arrival, we wasted no time with getting down to "business".
First stop, The Purple Pig.
Salt-Roasted Beets, Whipped Goat Cheese with Pistachio Vinaigrette
Pork Liver Pate (this sounded gross to me, but I promise you, it wasn't)
Fried Manchego with Membrillo
Asparagus and Hazelnuts with Treviso
Vera Vinho Verde
After lunch, we got settled in at our hotel, the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. And by settled, I mean we basically got to work on where we were going to eat dinner that evening. Both Holley and I had our hearts set on doing a tasting menu and there are quiet a few restaurants that offer this in town. The problem is, it is a hard "ticket" to come by without advanced notice. We struck out on a few places including both Grant Achatz restaurants, Next and Alinea, but we did get VERY lucky with a reservation to Tru.
I will let the pictures do the talking, but I will say, that it was hands down one of the most amazing dining experiences I have ever had. The food, the service, the wine, the company....I could go on and on.
Thank you Holley!!!
We did a 9 course tasting menu paired with wines that ended up being more like a 15 course tasting when you add in all the "extra" courses they served us.
Here were some of my favorites:
White Sturgeon 'Cavier', Avocado, Hazelnut
This was something straight out of Top Chef Masters. While it looks like caviar, it isn't. It is white sturgeon smoked, then pureed, then submerged, drop by drop, into liquid nitrogen. Underneath the 'cavier' is a layer of creamy avocado which you dip the hazelnut chips in.
Duroc Pork Belly, Stone Ground Grits, Pickled Green Onion
Pork Belly, enough said.
Scottish Salmon, Sorrel, Smoked Cream
Glazed Veal, Fava Bean, Morel Mushroom, Tokyo Turnip, Prosciutto
Goat, Cow, Sheep Cheese Course
Posing with the Cheese Course (that's how much I liked it)
Trying to keep up with all the wines....
Thanks to our sommelier, Chad.
Chad has the best job
Dessert
Exploding Chocolate Truffles
As evidenced by this picture, they do explode...
I overheard a table next to us ask for a tour of the kitchen. Of course, I was going to do the same.
The captain, Aaron and of course, Chad...
The night was young, so we headed to the Redhead Piano Bar. This is a MUST when you go to Chicago. Last time I was in Chicago we ended up here and it is so much fun!
Holley and I got seats right up front and began filling cocktail napkins with our song requests...Johnny Cash, Prince, Peter, Paul and Mary, Billy Joel, Bill Withers, Coldplay, Black Crowes, Lady Ga Ga, Justin Timberlake.....He played them all!
At a piano bar you can expect everyone to be on the same caliber as far as singing (bad...), however this guy was straight out of the show "Glee".
We were glad when he finally left so we could continue to hear our "good" singing voices.
We were told the bars close at 5 AM in Chicago, but we wouldn't know that ;)
Day 2
Good Afternoon Gino's East Pizzeria
I am going to have to say that I think I may be more of a New York style pizza girl.
Believe me, I ate it, but I am a fan of thin crust.
Fast forward to dinner at Sable.
Sable's claim to fame is their expert Mixologist team that creates phenomenal drinks.
We sampled Crisp Pork Belly B.L.T.'s and Tuna Tar Tar Tacos
Roasted Beet Ravioli with Ricotta, Goat Cheese, Mint and Lemon-Butter Sauce
Bison Short Rib Sliders with a Root beer Glaze
After dinner we headed to The Conrad hotel rooftop terrace to have a meet and greet with our clients (see, we worked).
The city was beautiful (and very hot and humid)
The next morning was our meeting. See, more work and I've got the pictures to prove it ;)
Holley and I put on a very successful meeting if I don't say so myself ;)
So successful, we went next door from our hotel to Bandera for a "Mag Mile" Tea
Good Bye Chicago
Until next time...
Red Carpet Club Chicago O'Hare
LAX to SBA to My Family!!!
