Modern Midwestern Table Dinner at North Pond

If you haven't heard about it already, Bruce Sherman and I are hosting a Farm to Table dinner at North Pond on Aug 24. The dinner features Josh Adams of June in Peoria, Justin Aprahamian of Sanford in Milwaukee, Gerard Craft of Niche in St. Louis, Michael Bulkowski of Revolver in Findlay, Ohio and Bruce. These chefs were chosen because they each utilize progressive culinary technique in a way that results in a farm to table cuisine that manages to be more rustic while being contemporary at the same time. Seats are still available and Bruce and I know it will be a special evening that everyone will enjoy. The details for the event are on the North Pond website at the following link

http://www.northpondrestaurant.com/text/menu.cfm?menuid=47

In case anyone was curious, Plotnicki is doing a book release dinner at North Pond next Wednesday.

North Pond Website wrote:We'll be serving (exclusively) a six-course dinner, with canapés and a welcome cocktail.

Set menus are too anti-consumer for me, so I'll be taking a pass.

-Dan

For those interested, the dinner includes dishes from chefs at Sanford, Revolver, Niche, June, and North Pond.

Midwestern Farm-to-Table Chefs Dinner

Join us August 24 at 6:30 for a special, farm-to-table dinner event at North Pond! Visiting (and cooking) that night will be: Josh Adams from June in Peoria, Justin Aprahamian from Sanford in Milwaukee, Michael Bulkowski from Revolver in Findlay, OH, and Gerard Craft from Niche in St. Louis. The cost is $140/guest, exclusive of beverage, tax, and gratuity. We are including a special welcome cocktail, passed canapés, and an optional $45 wine pairing. Sponsored by Steve Plotnicki and his "Opinionated About U.S. Restaurants 2011" guide.


First Courses

Cheese, Watermelon
Warm Cheese Boereg, Pickled Watermelon Salad, Mint, Baby Greens (Chef Justin Aprahamian, Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI)

Walleye, Peach
Lake Walleye a la Plancha, Grilled Peaches, Pickled Tongue, Sweet Corn, Fried Milk (Chef/Owner Michael Bulkowski, Revolver Restaurant, Findlay, OH)

Veal, Fennel
Candied Sweetbreads, Gnocchi, Baby Fennel, Preserved Apples, Hazelnuts (Chef/Owner Josh Adams, June Restaurant, Peoria, IL)

Tomato, Basil
Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber Gazpacho Broth, Basil-Tequila Sorbet, Jalapeno Madeleine (Chef/Owner Bruce Sherman, North Pond Restaurant, Chicago, IL)

Pork, Mushroom
Chanterelle-Stuffed Pork Trotter, Mixed Summer Squash, Alliums, Jus (Chef/Owner Gerard Craft, Niche Restaurant, St. Louis, MO)

Plum, Pistachio
Spiced Red Wine Plums, Pistachio Cake, White Chocolate Cremeux, Nuts, Sage Emulsion (Pastry Chef Greg Mosko, North Pond Restaurant, Chicago, IL)

GAF wrote:The cost is $140/guest, exclusive of beverage, tax, and gratuity. ...Sponsored by Steve Plotnicki and his "Opinionated About U.S. Restaurants 2011" guide.

What does "Sponsored by..." mean in the context of a dinner that will cost the attendee this much?

Looks like Mr. Plotnicki needs a bit more time to sort out a response to my post. Eater reports that the dinner has been postponed until October due to "unforeseen circumstances" (such as nobody bought any tickets, perhaps? Who could have foreseen that?)

Kennyz wrote:Looks like Mr. Plotnicki needs a bit more time to sort out a response to my post. Eater reports that the dinner has been postponed until October due to "unforeseen circumstances" (such as nobody bought any tickets, perhaps? Who could have foreseen that?)

Let us not be unkind, Mr. Z.

The date for the event is now Wednesday October 12th.

Because of a schedule conflict, the date of the Modern Midwestern Table Dinner at North Pond has been shifted again. The current date is Wednesday November 9th at 6:30.

Since this is farm to table cuisine, and it is now two months later than originally planned, perhaps some of the dishes will be changed.

For snarky comment, see the post two above.

Grub Street New York has posted pictures of the Opinionated About dinner at Craft in New York http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/09/craft_regional_american_dinner.html# , and the pictures look quite impressive. Bruce Sherman of North Pond cooked there, and will host the November dinner in Chicago.

Is Opinionated About still involved in the November dinner? I heard otherwise.

I believe that they are. At least according to Steve P.

milz50 wrote:Is Opinionated About still involved in the November dinner? I heard otherwise.

If OA were not in doesn't it mean that Steve Plotnicki would be out, too? Or can it be Steve without OA, who are so closely associated that I assume it can't be one without the other.

Regards,

Steve is OA, at least until OA is bought by Google. Or the reverse.

milz50 wrote:Is Opinionated About still involved in the November dinner? I heard otherwise.

According to the North Pond newsletter, Bruce Sherman is now the host. There is no mention of Opinionated About.

As mentioned above, the date is Nov. 9 and the time is 6:30. Same lineup of chefs.

The food is $120++ (was $140++) and the pairings are $45++

I have yet to decide if I will attend. I have not been to Revolver or Niche. I've been to Sanford several times and really like the food. I was at June twice this year and it was fantastic both times.

-Matt

According to the North Pond website as of October 15th:

The Modern Midwestern Table

Chef Bruce Sherman will be hosting a special artisan dinner with Steve Plotnicki, of Opinionated About U.S. Restaurants 2011, November 9, 2011, 6:30 pm $120 per Guest, Wine Pairings Available (plus tax & gratuity)

GAF wrote:According to the North Pond website as of October 15th:

The Modern Midwestern Table

Chef Bruce Sherman will be hosting a special artisan dinner with Steve Plotnicki, of Opinionated About U.S. Restaurants 2011, November 9, 2011, 6:30 pm $120 per Guest, Wine Pairings Available (plus tax & gratuity)

Cool...thanks for the correction.

Yes, the dinner is at North Pond Weds, 11/9 and Steve Plotnicki is still involved. Info here

http://www.northpondrestaurant.com/text ... ?menuid=48

Sky Full of Bacon has a slide show of the dishes served. See Grub Street Chicago: http://chicago.grubstreet.com/2011/11/slideshow_of_midwestern_chefs.html#

In my judgement Michael Bulkowski's dish of Great Lakes Walleye with Beets and Pickled Tongue was the star of the evening, but all of the dishes were very enjoyable. I'm not certain how "Midwestern" they were - apart from some ingredients. It seems that a modernist style transcends region - but perhaps regional ingredients are sufficient for a style.