July 23rd, 2008
American Food and wine highlights
“Chicago, Chicago , that fabulous town”, is a line from a song, I’m sure and I have to agree. I’ve got to know the city pretty well lately as Nick (eldest son) lives there. In June I had the chance to spend 3 days in town checking out the restaurants with a good Kiwi friend.It was agreed we would have one splurge night and chose the Trump restaurant Sixteen as there was an Aussie chef Frank Brunacci heading up the team there.The view from the sixteenth floor is fascinating, looking right into the top of the Wrigley building and on out to the lake.The standouts for me were the appetisers of Scallop, foie gras, sweet potato and spiced pecan plus an extra taste of a main, as an appetiser, of turbot, wild asparagus, butternut squash, pearl onions and crisp potato salad.The dessert of Baba rum, Pina colada icecream , roasted pineapple and tropical fruit gastrique was another delight.
The young sommelier with the perfect name for that sort of job,Kairos Cuillan Des Rosiers, was beautifully discreet when I asked about my favourite Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noirs. Guiding me with a gentle “and what sort of price range were you thinking of” I said, not too extreme and so the selection was made at $US81 for the delicious Sineann Pinot Noir 2006, Lachini Vineyard.It was just the sort of Pinot I love with full rich cherry flavours and a lovely savoury overtone.
The other restaurant which impressed was Nacional 27 which we happened on by chance, chatting to someone in a coffee place. I wanted to go to Frontera Grill which was always overbusy and she recommended this place as a good alternative.As it happened the manager knew Lauraine Jacobs so I figured we had struck it lucky.It was Wine Down Wednesday which meant the tasting menu came with wine included for $US44, a bargain indeed when you consider the famous Alinea charges $US 145 for the tasting menu and extra for the wine match. Ok, they are in a different league but this was still great value and excellent food and wine.They even have salsa dancing on a Friday night!
The Green Market at Lincoln Park was worth a visit too (See the Heritage tomatoes above.)Demos and great seasonal produce.
Posted by Sue Story // Filed in Gourmet travel