This day started off with me inhaling breakfast at Nico prior to a brutal aerial conditioning meets barre method type class. The food was lovely as Nico always is but wasn’t my best idea.

Nico Osteria
Bomboloni
Soft scrambled eggs, peperonata, prosciutto, olive focaccia

Afternoon cocktail at Salone Nico

For our afternoon snack I thought Brandi needed a tour of Eataly. I like the Chicago one so much more than NYC that I hate to pass up a chance to visit. And it was very tempting to steal this cool Peroni glass!

Eataly
Formaggi
Fagioli e carciofi

And on to the real purpose of this trip (not that we needed another reason aside from a birthday celebration)…..

Next : Chinese Modern

Pressed Okra

Bamboo Shoot and Lily Bulb

Scallop Dumpling with watercress and white fungus,
Pork Dumpling with Jujube and Cuttlefish
Congee as a hot foam with pork floss

Monkfish with white asparagus in a roasted spine broth

Crab with Green chile paste and fresh coconut

Tiger Salad with cold skin noodles and seitan
Tingly Squab with tarragon and Sumac
Skate chops in the style of Muslim lamb

Shrimp in a Duck Yolk “Sand”

Beef and Broccoli in liquid and solid state

Duck in Layers

“Pulling Threads” with Sweetbreads, Taro Root and Banana

Frozen rice soup with legumes and whipped vinegar

Dragon’s Beard Candy with a pressing of honey

Fortune….

And the highlight of the evening….my menu! Thank you so much to everybody at Next for going above and beyond always and making this such a special evening!

But this girl can do high and low equally well as 2 hours later I was doing a birthday shot of Jameson!

I have also been neglecting my all time favorite lunch stop and I’ve been a terrible sister-in-law as I had never taken Brandi. If only there was an XOCO in NYC.

42 grams
I cannot say enough good things about 42 grams. This was my 2nd trip and there were quite a few new dishes, all of which I loved even though I had some favorites on the previous menu. I could write quite a lot a bout the menu but I will leave it at the most surprising item of the evening. Asparagus gelato was a revelation in the same way that olive oil gelato was many years ago. And Alexa and Jake are fantastic hosts!

The Office
Julia’s very special cocktails
Wagu tartare

I have made at least two recent trips without having an Au Cheval burger and couldn’t possibly do another. While always an afterthought to the burger, the shaved vegetable salad is probably my favorite salad in the city.

Au Cheval
Shaved vegetable salad
Burger with fried egg and bacon

Somehow I never made it to the old Boka. It always lingered on my to-do list but there were always other spots I wanted to try more. Glad I got here finally but unfortunately can’t do a comparison of old vs. new. I never have chef spottings in NYC but Tony Mantuano was sitting across from us and certainly looks much older in person than on TV.

Boka
Heirloom carrots – pistachios, amaranth, smoked goat cheese
Roasted broccoli – yogurt, preserved lemon, Parmesan, smoked ham, almonds
Salt cod ravioli – fav a beans, artichokes, arugula, lemon
Rabbit loin and sausage – confit leg, fennel, turnips, mustard
Seared scallops – peas, morcilla, carrots, lemon

Aviary
Fords Model Tea Party
Italian Stallion
Shrimp
Mini foie snickers

Another picture perfect day in Chicago called for more outdoor dining and it’s nice that there are finally more good options in river north close to hotels.

Cicchetti
Green dragon punch – green dragon tea, fresh squeezed lemonade, smith and cross rum, Jamaican bitters
House smoked whitefish, salad of shaved asparagus, spinach, peas, light Parmesan dressing
Ciabatta toast with European butter and house made jam

This spot has been on my to-do list for quite some time and somehow I had just never gotten around to it. Thank you Lou for the suggestion and introductions! Absolutely going back for the tasting menu.

Acadia
Foie gras torchon
Lobster bisque
Acadia burger – house made applewood bacon, double creme Gouda, special sauce, garlic dill pickles, potato salad
Stoning ton lobster pie – spring onion, pomes dauphinois, favas, mushrooms, thumbelina bisque, sour cream pastry
The – matcha, lychee, toasted rice
Profiteroles – black walnut, banana, hot chocolate

Aviary
And of course what would a trip to Chicago be without a trip to Aviary to see some of my favorite people in Chicago!