Tag Archives: RestaurantWeek

Chef’s Week Chicago 2013

Loop skyline from the lakefront, Chicago, IL, USA

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Just when you are recovering from the weight that you gained during Restaurant Week, you should start thinking about making reservations for the 5th annual Chef’s Week extravaganza.

It will take place between March 17th and March 22rd when top-notch Chicago restaurants will offer special menus and signature dishes. For more information visit:  www.chicagochefweek.com

for a list of the 2013 participants.

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Make your reservations ASAP at www.opentable.com or directly at the restaurant’s website.

Set table at the James Beard House, January 2007

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Many noteworthy Executive Chefs will prepare outstanding meals at bargain prices. A three-course prix fixe lunch will set you back $22 and dinner will be $44.

Buon Appetito from your “Foodie Friends” @ www.vino-con-vista.com.

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Image that shows the areas used by UNESCO in order to localize World Heritage Sites. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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Filed under Attractions in Chicago, Authentic Italian Restaurants in Chicago, Buon Appetito, Chef Week Chicago 2011, Chicago, chicago chef week 2013, Chicago Restaurants, Italian Food, Italian Food and Wine, Italian restaurants in Chicago, Italian Wine, michelin guide to chicago restaurants, Ospitalita Italiana Quality Restaurants in Chicago, Restaurant Week in Chicago, Travel and Tourism, vino con vista, Vino con Vista Chicago, Wine, Wine Festivals

Filini Bar and Restaurant in “Aqua” is the New Kid on the Block in Chicago

Filini on Columbus in Chicago

I love Filini! The two-story Italian Filini Restaurant is a relative new-comer to the Chicago Restaurant Scene.  The restaurant in located on Columbus Drive inside the elegant Radisson Blu Hotel.

Here’s are a few of the items that I enjoyed:

Antipasto: Zuppetta made with Wild mushroom soup, celeriac and crouton or

“Winter style caprese made with Buffalo milk mozzarella with baked pomodorini, yellow peppers, frisse and balsamic

Orecchiette at Filini

Secondi: Orecchiette made with home made pasta, lamb sausage, garlic, olive oil, broccolini, sundried tomatoe, pecorino crema or

Salmerino made with roasted artic char, thyme roaster parsnip, carrots, leeks and olivata sauce

Dolci: Sorbetto of lemon pudding, fruit compote and wild berry sorbet

Sorbetto at Filini

Filini at 221 N. Columbus in Chicago

Filini has an extensive wine collection. Try some Gavi with lunch.

Gavi at Filini

Filini on Columbus in Chicago

To view the full menu visit:

www.filinichicago.com.

Call 312-477-0123 for reservations.

The elegant Filini is located at 221 North Columbus Drive in the new Radisson Blu Hotel. The “Aqua“ Building is the structure with the wavy balconies. The high-rise is across from the Fairmont and near the Aon Building. The Building’s nautical theme represents the wave-like forms of the balconies and the tower’s proximity to Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.

The distinctive landmark skyscraper-hotel opened in November of 2011. Aqua is an 86 story mixed-use (residential & commercial) skyscraper in the Lakeshore East (east of Michigan Avenue) neighborhood in downtown Chicago. The lower floors house the elegant Radisson Blu Hotel; the only one in the US. I love the artwork on the way to the ballroom.

3-D Artwork at the Hotel

Artwork at the Hotel

English: Western facade of Aqua in Chicago.

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The building was designed by a team led by Jeanne Gang. This incredible  Skyscraper is the tallest in the world to have a woman as the lead architect.

It was designed by Loewenberg Architects and Studio/Gang/Architects at a cost of $475,000,000.

Inside the structure, Chef Christopher Fantoni has developed an intersting authentic Italian menu for Filini.

Felini

The menu includes the following categories: Affettati E Formaggi, Antipasti, Bruschette, Risotto E Paste, Secondi, Contorni, Piatti Del Giorno (Osso Bucco Milanese on Sundays) and Dolci. Order the Torta alla Ricotta, the Cioccolatissimo or the Filini Tiramisu.

Dolci at Filini

Filini on Columbus in Chicago

Filini in ChicagoChef Christopher Fontoni has prepared a Special three-course lunch and dinner menu for Restaurant Week 2012.Call 312-477-0234 for reservations. Filini Restaurant and Bar in Chicago

On their regular menu, I love the grilled  20 ounce “Fiorentina”; A Porterhouse steak served with spinach, potatoes and garlic. Try the Gnocchi with a braised oxtail/vegetable ragu and perorino fondata. For dessert have some Filini Tiramisu sith mascarpone crema, marsala wine and expresso or the Budino al Panettone; a woarm bread pudding with vanilla gelato. Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.comRead the “Related Articles” for more Restaurant Week options.

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Pick Terzo Piano for Lunch at the Art Institute for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

English: The Modern Wing of the Art Institute ...

Image via WikipediaTerzo Piano's Bar in Chicago

There are two ways to get to Terzo Piano: take the elevator up or ascend the sky bridge from Millenium Park. Terzo Piano is located at 159 E. Monroe on the 3rd floor of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Terzo Piano means "Third Floor" at the Chicago Art Institute

In the comtempory space, you can gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling windows onto Michigan Avenue as you enjoy the “Michelin Guide Recommended 2012″ cuisine of Chef Tony Mantuano from Spiaggia.

View of Michigan Avenue from Terzo Piano in Chicago

Tony, Chef di Cucina Meg Colleran Sahs and Pastry Chef  Megan Neubeck developed an outstanding $22 Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 Lunch Menu:

First Course: Chickpea and vegetable soup with tahini, cumin, fried chickpeas and cilantro salad or

Crispy Perch with red beet puree at Terzo Piano in Chicago

Crispy pearch with red beet puree, marinated beets, frisee in dill vinaigrette

Second Course: Cured and braised beef with mashed red potato, carrot, and house made sauerkraut or

Cured and braised beef at Terzo Piano

Hand crafted tagliatelle ‘alla Puttanesca” with olive, capers, tomatoe, and goat’s mild cheese or

Chilled shrimp salad with mixed green, capers, marinated peppers, red onion and lemon

Dessert: Banana Tiramisu with brown butter gastrique or

Banana Tiramisu at Terzo Piano

Camambert Fermier, pasterized cow’s mild with dried strawberry compote

Take some time to peruse the magnificent art collection in this world-class museum before or after lunch. My son’s favorite is Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks located in Gallery 262 on the second level.

Georges Seurat (1859-1891), photo

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I love the Impressionists! Who can resist Georges Seurat‘s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884)”?

George Seurat's A Sunday on La Grand Jatte 1884

Renoir at the Art Institute of Chicago

Degas at the Art Institute of Chicago

“The Chicago Art Institute has one of the world’s most notable collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in its permanent collection.”

There are incredible masterpieces at the museum: you can see Pablo Picasso’s “the Old Guitarist” in Gallery 391 on the third level; El Greco’s “The Assumption of the Virgin” in Gallery 211 on the second level and Vincent van Gogh’s “The Bedrooom” in Gallery 241.

Everyone loves Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” couple in Gallery 263 on the second level.

Take some time to check out Salvador Dali’s “Venus de Milo with Drawers” in Gallery 396 on the third level.

Don’t leave the museum without seeing Marc Chagall’s America Windows in Gallery 144 on the first level of the Modern Wing. They will take your breath away!

Marc Chagall's American Windows at the Art Institute

Meander into the Museum Store in the Modern Wing of the Chicago Art Institue and pick up some cool posters, colorful art glass or chic scarves to remind you or your visit.

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

Art Glass DIsplay at the Museum Store in Chicago

Salvador Dali's Mae West; The real one is in Girona Spain

Marilyn Monroe at the Art Institute

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Filed under Attractions in Chicago, Chicago Art Institute, Chicago Chefs, Chicago Neighborhoods, Chicago Restaurant Week 2012, Chicago Restaurants, Terzo Piano Restaurant in the Chicago Art Institute

Try “III Forks” in Lakeshore East for Chicago Restaurant Week 2012

III FOrks in Lakeshore East

III Forks Chicago opened in the Fall of 2012 near the Village Market at Lakeshore East (Upper Randolph and Field, one block east of Columbus). This Prime Steakhouse  is located at 333 East Benton Place. Call (312) 938-4303  for reservations. For more information visit: www.iiiforks.com

Here’s the incredible $44 Chicago Restaurant Week 2012 Menu:

First Course: Loaded Baked Potatoe soup with house-smoked applewood bacon, scallions and Prairie Breeze aged cheddar or

Caesar Salad with char-roasted red peppers and shaved Sartori Espresso Bellavitano parmesan cheese

Entree Choice: USDA Prime Filet Mignon with red wine shallot sauce and whipped potatoes or

Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon with beurre meuniere sauce and wild rice or

Prime Double Cut Pork Chop with Serrano peach barbeque and aged balsamic glaze and whipped potatoes

Dessert: Makers Mark Bourbon Bread Pudding with cinnamon ice cream and Texas pecan caramel sauce

Makers Mark Bourbon Bread Pudding

For Restaurant Week, ask about the special Tequila Program in celebration of National Margarita Day. From February 17th-23rd, they are “featuring 3 special ways to drink 3 special tequilas.” Try some Avion Reposado Tequila.

Try some Tequila during Restaurant Week

Avion Reposado Tequila

The swanky Chicago outpost of the Dallas-based contemporary steakhouse group has expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Shore East Park. In April, you can have a fabulous Vino con Vista from the luxurious open-air rooftop on the second floor. For the perfect rooftop Vino con Vista, order a bottle of 2010 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County as you gaze at the twinkling lights in LakeShore East.

Meiomi Pinot Noir at III Forks

III Forks in Chicago

Mosaic Columns at III Forks

III Forks has an elegant glass-enclosed wine room with 300-400 bottles. You can peruse the wine list on their iPad. I loved doing that!

There is a cozy two-sided fireplace and plenty of space available for Private Parties.  I loved the mosaic columns that decorated the dining room.

Fire Place at III Forks in Chicago

Glass Enclosed Wine Room at III Forks

The regular menu consists primarily of USDA prime beef, with an in-house butcher cutting the filets and strip steaks to order. There’s an interesting selection of seafood, such as sea bass, salmon and coldwater lobster.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com. Read my “Related Articles” for more Restaurant Week options.

Buon Appetito!!

III Forks Restaurant in Chicago

III Forks in Chicago's Lakeshore East

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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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Chicago is Saveur Magazine’s 2012 “Culinary Star”

Saveur

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Chicago’s innovative chefs and world-class Culinary Scene earned accolades from Saveur Magazine:  “the Windy City is America’s new culinary star.”

Chicago Foodies will start participating in Chicago’s Restaurant Week today. They will be making reservations for Chicago Chef Week 2012 in March.

Meanwhile, Chicago restaurants are “rolling out the red carpet for the NRA Show (National Restaurant Association ) and the International Wine, Spirits & Beer Event (IWSB) for international attendees.” These events are part of the NRA Show in Chicago from May 5th-May 8th, 2012.

The mission of the National Restaurant Association: “we strive to help every one of our members build customer loyalty, find financial success and provide rewarding careers in foodservice. Today’s restaurant industry is growing rapidly. It employs 12.8 million Americans in 960,000  locations — and 2012 sales are expected to reach $604 billion.”

The National Restaurant Association represents more than 380,000   businesses including: restaurants, suppliers, educators and non-profits.

You can reserve your space at the event here: Register now and save with the early-bird discount!

Reserve your space for one of the International Back of House tours, available exclusively to registered international attendees.

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

Chefs in training in Paris, France (2005).

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National Restaurant Association logo

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Here’s a list of the Tours for the Event from the NRA Show Website:

Tour A

Photo of Keefer's dining room

Keefer’s Restaurant

Keefer’s is ranked “Best of Chicago for Steak” by the Food Network, recommended by the Michelin Guide as “One of the Top Ten Steakhouses in the U.S.”, voted “Best Place for Business Dining” by readers of Crain’s Chicago and praised by Zagat, “Keefer’s is an independent Chicago local favorite, fit for foodies and steak lovers.” You will love the steaks but you should not miss out on Chef John Hogan’s stellar fish dishes like fresh Dover Sole, Scottish Salmon, Maine Lobster, Ahi Tuna, Crab Cakes, Sea Scallops and specials including: Halibut, Hake, Sturgeon, Bouillabaisse, Loup de Mer and Rose Fish Papillote. If you are in the mood for a more casual meal, check out Chef Hogan’s Bistro Menu where you will find items that will hit the spot, without breaking the bank. You will not wait for us with a reservation: we are here to wait on you with first-class service which includes an allergy program designed to let everyone safely enjoy as much of our menu as possible.

The sign from The Berghoff (now closed) in Chi...

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Berghoff Restaurant

The Berghoff Restaurant is a Chicago classic, serving German-American style cuisine and culture since 1898. Located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, the Berghoff offers traditional German dishes, contemporary American fare, seasonal menus, vegetarian and gluten-free options in a casual, historic atmosphere. With its private labeled beer and root beer, there’s something for everyone at the Berghoff. Private Dining, off-premise catering and large group reservations also available. Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. Most recently, the Berghoff was featured in the movie the Dark Knight, as well as Food Network’s “The Originals” and “Sugar High.”

Tour B

Photo of Devon Seafood Grill outside

Devon Seafood Grill

Upscale casual with imagination and style. Located at the corner of Chicago and Wabash, Devon Seafood Grill offers premium aquatic fare, seamless service and an exhilarating atmosphere. Our indulgent cuisine emphasizes freshness, creativity and simplicity – themes mirrored in the architecture of our two bars and multiple dining areas. Our display cellar showcases an extensive selection of over 600 fine wines and champagnes. And for tastes that run towards the exotic, our Wine Spectators | Wine Enthusiast list features an impressive list of rare and coveted wines from the finest wine-producing regions in the world.

Photo of ZED451 dining room

ZED451

ZED451 is a revolutionary restaurant concept featuring original cuisine and delivery, service intelligence and unprecedented design. Let go of everything you used to think about dining and enter a warm and stylish world or artful design and relaxing and indulging abundance. For one price, chefs serve their specially prepared dishes tableside while a bounty of seasonal soups, composed salads, fresh vegetable prepared in unique ways, cheeses and breads await you at the Seasonal Harvest Tables. Here you are catered to in an environment that evokes a warm landscape of natural elements with a highly stylized edge.

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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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