Tag Archives: Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

February 19, 2012 · 9:47 am

Pick Naha for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

Naha earns a James Beard Foundation Award

In 2008, Naha’s Chef Carrie Hahabedian earned a James Beard Foundation Award: “American Express Best Chef: Great Lakes Award.” This award is like “The Oscars of Food” and “honors the finest chefs, restaurants, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and other food professionals in the United States.”  Recipients receive a bronze medallion etched with the image of the late James Beard and a certificate from the Foundation. Naha also won a 2012 Michelin Guide Star for outstanding quality!

James Beard Foundation Medal

Michelin Award for Naha in Chicago

Chef Carrie Nahabedian and cousin Michael Nahabedian offer a Mediterranean-inspired menu and encourage you to become a “LOCAVORE!”

They support “purveyors and farmers across the Midwest and America in supporting the community with their dedication to a more sustainable environment”.

Naha is located at 5oo N. Clark Street and is an outstanding Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 option.

For more information visit www.naha-chicago.com.

Call  312-321-6242 for reservations.

Naha's Culinary Award Shelf

Start with a glass of Qupe Syrah while you are contemplating the Restaurant Week Menu.

Syrah at Naha

My incredible Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 dinner at Naha included:

*a Salad of Wood-Grilled Chicken with Italian Farro and Sylvetta Arugugula. It was farnished with Candied “Budda Hand” Lemon and Cracked Walnuts

Duck at Naha

*The main course was an incredible Lacquered Hudson Valley Moulard Duck Breast and Foie Gras with a “Tarte Tatin” of Bartlett Pear and Fennel, Licorice and Port

*I loved the “Croustade” of Bananas, Cashews and Caramel that I had for dessert.

Dessert at Naha in Chicaog

Malbec at NahaWe enjoyed a bottle of Durigutti Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina with dinner. Naha has an extensive wine list with over 30 wines by the glass. For Chicago Restuarant Week they were serving an intersting "Naha Punch" in a martini glass. It was so appealing that I had to give it a try. It was excellent!Naha "Restaurant Week Punch"

I also ordered some Naha Restaurant Week Punch. It looked so appealing in that martini glass.

Naha Restaurant Week Punch

Buon Appetito from Dr. EveAnn Lovero. I write Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com
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February 18, 2012 · 9:17 am

Pick Aria for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

Aria in Chicago

Aria is an outstanding Chicago Restaurant Week option. Aria offers  ”a bold menu of New World Asian cuisine.” They even have a sushi bar.

Aria's Sushi Bar

 Aria is located at 200 Columbus Drive in Chicago and won the 2011 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Chef Beverly Kim is one of the 29 chefs that competed on Bravo’s Top Chef: Texas. The show was aired on Wednesdays on Bravo.
Here’s the Chef de Cuisine, Beverly Kim’s incredible three-course $33 Dinner Menu  from Aria’s website for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 (February 17- 26, 2012): www.ariachicago.com

Chef Beverly Kim at Aria

Starters:

*Hay roasted baby beets with truffle tremor goat cheese / hazelnut / prosciutto / apple or

*Mongolian lamb rib with cumin, orange hoisin, fennel and edamame mint purée

Mongolian Lamb Rib at Aria

Entrees:

*Cape Breton Scallops in red wine XO / forest mushroom / peas / mascarpone polenta

Scallops at Aria

*Braised beef short rib with red curry / thai basil potato puree/ green apple kimchi/ spicy peanuts

Braised Rib at Aria

*Prawn Singapore noodles with lap cheung / bbq pork / egg / curry / coconut / peanut

Sweets:

*Pineapple thai chili granite with coconut sorbet / fig and walnut sable or

*Chocolate caramel mousse with pomegranate gelee / cocoa crumble / roasted almond ice cream

Order a luscious bottle of Davis Bynum Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley with dinner.

Pinot Noir from the Russian RIver Valley

Buon Appetito!!

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

Our Compliments to the Chef!

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January 12, 2012 · 8:39 am

Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 Kicks Off with First Bites Bash

Don’t miss the Fifth Annual Chicago Restaurant Week. More than 200 restaurants come together to offer 10 days of pure epicurean excellence. Chicago Restaurant Week is a celebration of Chicago’s finest culinary talents. 

The 10-day experience begins February 17 and runs through February 26 with more than 200 participating restaurants featuring prix fixe lunches for $22 and dinners for $33 and $44, excluding beverages, tax and gratuity. 

You can  revisit your favorite eateries or scope out some new hot spots. This gastronomic event is your once-a-year opportunity to sample fare created by some of the city’s top chefs. It’s a true celebration of Chicago’s world-class culinary scene.

The Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau will kick off the event. Ticket sales are open for the “First Bites Bash.” Stephanie Izard, chef and co-owner of Girl & the Goat, Food & Wine Best New Chef 2011 and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 4 will host the highly-anticipated event, from which 100 percent of net proceeds generated by ticket sales will benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The First Bites Bash will offer sweet and savory tastings from more than 50 of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurants. The chefs will be featured in the magnificent Great Hall at Union Station on Thursday, February 2 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  Tickets are available for purchase at www.firstbitesbash.com for $125 per person.

First Bites Bash, presented by United Airlines will showcase several of Izard’s peers who represent the “Who’s Who” of Chicago’s culinary elite.  Critically acclaimed chefs with James Beard nominations, Michelin Guide stars, Top Chef titles and more will join the celebration, including David Burke with David Burke’s Primehouse; Tony Mantuano with Spiaggia and Bar Toma; Tony Priolo with Piccolo Sogno, and more expected to join in the days ahead making this event one of Chicago’s must-attend culinary events.

“Chicago has a great chef community which truly supports each other and the city itself,” said Izard. “It’s great to all come together for the First Bites Bash to help out the Greater Chicago Food Depository and all they do for those in the area and support an organization that has such a powerful impact on the city.”

Plan your restaurant week adventures now because many restaurants will fill up quickly. I recommend that you make your reservations asap.

 Here’s a link to Open Table’s participating restaurants:

http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=3&ref=1076&pid=270

 Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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