Berkeley Chef visits Chicago--needs restaurant reco's

Hi Chicago! I'm on a super brief visit--haven't been since 1985!--love the Achatz style but not much luck scoring tix--where would you advise dining for tasty, farm-to-table, delicious, fun food?

I just had an amazing meal at Perennial Virant (see viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31744). It isn't much in the Achatz style, but it is farm to table and great place, esp if you sit outside.

I used to live in Berkeley. Where do you work?

Graham elliots. They just changed to their summer menu. Their 5 course for 75.00 is a great value.

Used to live on Telegraph myself (when Chez Panisse opened). Been very impressed w/Nightwood. Vie is probably the best but is in the burbs. Easy train ride though.

Longman and Eagle is right across the street from the Logan Square Blue Line stop. It has become a recent favorite of mine. Farm to table, tail to snout philosophy delivered via small plates, interesting and deep selection of whiskeys- many available at $3 a shot- including whiskey flights.

Chef Wentworth has a very deft hand in the kitchen.

Ah, that takes me back - I used to live just off Solano in El Cerrito.

I'd recommend Nightwood as well - check out the thread on this board. Ask for a seat at the kitchen bar. The pastry chef there in particular is delightful to talk with, & usually she has some time to do so.

thanks, chicagoland. I've been a farm-to-table chef since '94. First rst. was The Happy Belly(ended in '00), 2nd is Venus and the new one is Revival Bar+Kitchen. If you visit the West Coast, please come by and say hi. FB pages for both rsts. are good for msg.

North Pond is the restaurant I would recommend. It is not Achatz-style, but Waters-style.

I send my friends to Blackbird, which is sort of a melding of FtT and Modernist cuisine.

Perhaps closest to Achatz-style while not being an Achatz restaurant is Avenues.

All three are first-rate.

I wish I had known about Revival. I'm in Stanford for the year, but leave on Tuesday.