Unorthodox as it sounds, if I was limited to Chicago and had the same preferences as Rob has expressed, I'd go to Blackbird or Avec. You've said, Rob, that you don't want to pace/atmosphere of an Alinea/Trotter's.

Schwa is fantastic, but you're dealing with food that's challenging, and that may not be what you want. It sounds like you want pure enjoyment without fuss.

At Avec, there's craft beer. There's jamon iberico - the apotheosis of pork. You could order the entire menu. You could maximize the sheer number of flavors hitting your palate. That's what I would want. To me, that's light years more appealing than a hefty steak and some sludgy sides.

The food at Avec/Blackbird is lusty rather than cerebral. The ingredients are top-notch, and the portions are ample. They'll be doing some interesting things with newly-available ingredients this time of year. Avec isn't very comfortable, and it's loud -- you'll have to decide whether that matters or not.

If you decide on Blackbird, call in advance (Avec doesn't take reservations, so this wouldn't work there). Tell them what you like and dislike, and let them participate in the event. I am in complete agreement with LAZ.

we're more the craft beer-types then the fine wine crowd

Homaro's staff at Moto will also set you up with a beer pairing - Otom next door carries the full line of Unibroues and he occasionally has other surprises in the cellar; let him know in advance. Don't miss the supremely creative soft beverage pairings as well, though, almost as much fun as the food (and just looking at the different shapes of glassware is like being at a museum - do they really have 80 tea snifters and 80 Erlenmeyer flasks if every single person in the restaurant goes with the pairings?)

But this makes me think you might also like Bluebird or Hopleaf, sparing no expense or fat gram, and getting a designated driver. Salumi or sausage plates, Scotch eggs, mussels, steak frites, pates, cobblers, paired with mead, ciders, rare Belgians, domestic heavy stouts, lambics. Start at 6 or so and watch the light flee and the crowds build. Buy a round for neighbors.

the apotheosis of pork

Nice, fleur. Tagline material.

jesteinf wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:fly to Spain and eat at El Bulli, called by some the best in the world.

Yeah...but good luck getting a reservation

I've been trying for 3 years and counting, as have the three people I plan to one day dine there with.

Which, not to further the abuse hefted upon ChgoGrrl too much, would have made me 23 when I started trying...

-Dan

You could take my strategy, which is to not have ever heard of the restaurant, to have been studying archaeology in Northern Spain, and to have a Basque priest who knew Adria from his youth be one of the mentors, who would just happen to set up a garden dining experience (weekend off-hours) at Bulli for his unexpecting students. Of course, this happened in 1999, so I'm not sure that this sort of naivete will work any tricks now.

But even dimension-opening meals in other places (like Puerto Vallarta last week) make me appreciate what we have here in Chicago. I think you're not going to go wrong with anything recommended in this thread.

Rob C wrote:LTH,

Due to some unique circumstances involving a friend winning a substantial sum of money on a game show I was promised an expenses paid meal at any restaurant of my choosing in Chicagoland. Because I value the opinions of your tested culinary minds, I'm asking you all for suggestions. As my friend and I are both young and hungry, I tend to lean towards a caloric splurge at a terrific steakhouse (David Burke's?), but I'm certainly open to thoughts. Ideally I'm looking for an optimal balance of quantity and top-notch quality. Thoughts?

Rob C

I would pick a Brazilian steak house.

ChgoGrrl wrote:If you're in your just out of college, skip the formal places...you'll be bored.

not really sure what to think of that, can you elaborate?

edit: ...i guess i should read on... apparently i'm not the only one who thought this comment was moronic

David Hammond wrote:Every meal I've had at Gene's and Jude's has been memorable (really, I mean that, I remember every one)

i love this. I remember the parking spot i was in, the time of day - everything - my first time at gene and jude's. I was a "drug through the garden" hot dog guy and then i had a G&J's dog. Almost cried. One of my favorite meals in the chicago area hands down.

If it were me - I would do a marathon over the span of a month. If you're buddy is serious about food (and/or if you are - i can imagine you are since this is your reward for being a good friend) one place wouldn't suffice.

One of the great things about Chicago is the availability of amazing ethnic food at a cheap price. the LTH forum is really good at finding these places.

My suggestion would be to spend a few days just researching places. Find out how much a really good, expensive meal would be with wine and everything and set that aside. Then every Mon, Wed, Fri you and your buddy hit one or two places each night for a month and just take it out of the money you set aside.

You'll discover gems, you'll eat well, you'll greatly vary your experiences and you might find some food that you've never heard of that you love. You will also be guaranteed to meet wonderfully interesting people.

Although - i can see the appeal of a "all-in" meal - i'm just letting you know what i'd do. At some point i'll be able to spend money on a 3-star restaurant - someday i will. It may be the last charge i ever make on my credit card, but i'll make it to one some day. I don't think i'll ever have an opportunity to really dive into Chicago food for a month on someone else's tab though.

dansch wrote:

jesteinf wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:fly to Spain and eat at El Bulli, called by some the best in the world.

Yeah...but good luck getting a reservation

I've been trying for 3 years and counting, as have the three people I plan to one day dine there with.

Which, not to further the abuse hefted upon ChgoGrrl too much, would have made me 23 when I started trying...

-Dan

even anthony bourdain can only get a kitchen table

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can't embed
the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS0rttp9EIE

I believe David Burke's will be great for you two. A couple friends work there and I enjoy it. It's classy and upscale yet not too 'snobby' like some fine dinning restaurants. I'm sure it'll be a perfect fit to chow down and enjoy the scenery. If the crews all over 21 stop by the J bar for a few drinks...the management team in there is too cool.

I would hit David Burkes, or another top tier steakhouse(Joes Stone Crab, Saloon, etc).

But then again I am a guy who whenever I get an extra $300 in my pocket these are the places where I go. I am not one who would go to Alinea, or other places like that.

jimswside wrote:I would hit David Burkes, or another top tier steakhouse(Joes Stone Crab, Saloon, etc).

But then again I am a guy who whenever I get an extra $300 in my pocket these are the places where I go. I am not one who would go to Alinea, or other places like that.

I went to David Burke's last Thursday- I need to post about it in the other thread. You know what? For as expensive as it was, it was just ok. The quality of my bone in filet was just ok, the cheese course was cold, though the oysters were totally fresh and great. The best part about this place- their wine list. Very marked up but a LOT of great finds on this list that pair perfectly with everything on the menu. I drank a split of vintage perrier jouet that was incredible.

For sheer, meaty "caloric splurge" (and don't flame me for this folks), I have just returned from a night at fogo de chao. Never before have I felt such the glutton [except for the full tour w wine at Alinea (the last course, an exploding caramel, caused me to throw up in my mouth)]. In fact, I am eating nothing but fiber one and vegetables today in hopes of regaining some sort of normal digestive function in the near future.

Is the food thoughtful and exquisite? No.

HOWEVER, the waitstaff is fantastic, drinks are great, and it's fun, delicious and kind of hilarious in terms of the volume of meat and attentiveness with which it is served (it's all you can eat). Furthermore, anywhere that has a salad bar that doubles as a cheese bar is a winner in my book. I recommend the fogo special, the lamb, and of course, any and all of the meats served wrapped in bacon.

Some of it boils down to the kind of atmosphere you are looking for - I personally like Saloon, I think David Burke is a bit over priced unless you know the menu well & pick carefully, though I also think Blackbird/Avec are great suggestions if you're not wedded to a formal steakhouse experience. One Sixtyblue is another great option.

Is there any particular timing for this dinner - with price no object I'd be inclined to wait until Chef GEB's new place is open to try (otherwise I would have suggested Avenues).

I money is no object- Alinea with the full wine pairings is my vote!
To this day the best food experience I have ever had!

I have been ruminating on this one for a while

I would disagree pretty strongly with the Brazilian Steakhouse strategy for a couple reasons.
1. I think we are looking for some place that is regularly cost prohibitive and I don't think 55 bucks for dinner fits the bill.
2. I eat at Fogo, Zed, Texas De Brazill, very often and in the end while they are exciting and tasty the food is a long way from top tier. It is usually over seasoned and while it is endless it is in no way challenging or memorable.
3. Service. It is pretty apparent to me that the staffs at these locations are always trying to upsell rather than service the diner - not quite right for a burgeoning foodie, or any foodie looking for something new.

I am not sure about Sushi Samba. I dropped 700 bucks there once on dinner for two and while it was fun the whole food aspect was relatively low key compared with the atmosphere and vibe. In other words the food was not that memorable while we could have had a better dinner somewhere else and still gotten the Samba experience over some drinks.

The steakhouses in general are interesting and Lord knows I have had some good times and big bills at most of them.
However, I really only appreciate the experience when I know someone on the inside and get a little bit of special treatment. Without some connections I feel the steakhouses to have either a business feel or be somewhat inconsistent in quality.

Alinea. I still have the menu from my first trip there. We did the 30 course with the wine pairing and it was one of the more memorable experiences of my life. 5 1/2 hours flew by and I felt giddy for at least the entire next day, absolutely sublime.

If Alinea is a little over the top I would second Blackbird. It is surprising to me how young the crowds are there sometimes and the food is awesome. Avec would be a great choice and so would Tru.

I kind of lean toward Tru because of menu options like the Black Truffel flight which is pretty easy to appreciate while still being out of the ordinary enough to create a real memorable experience. I guess find the menu at Tru to be very easy and the food to be great while still providing enough challenge to be special.

In the end though, and despite Chicago being one of the greatest food towns in the world, I would start my meal with a plane ride.
Maybe fly to New Orleans and eat at http://www.commanderspalace.com/ or Try St Lois BBQ in St Louis. Maybe even Drive to Bayfield Wisconsin for the http://www.rittenhouseinn.com/. Edited thanks to fleurdesel

If a food experience is the goal and money is no object include some regional character in the choice. Growing up my favorite biscuits and gravy came from a tiny little townie place in Indiana not because they were especially good, but because I would ditch school to drive to Indiana to get biscuits and gravy.

Maybe fly to New Orleans and eat at Le Colonial

Would you please clarify? I am not familiar with a Le Colonial in NOLA.

Are you thinking of Commander's Palace or Galatoire's?

Maybe even Drive to Bayfield Wisconsin for the Bayfield Inn.

Did you mean the Rittenhouse Inn?

http://www.rittenhouseinn.com/dining.htm

LTH,

Well after much delay (apparently game show winnings are slow to be distributed). I cashed-in on my all expense-paid meal. My buddy and I went to David Burke's, and were not disappointed. It satisfied our desire for a high-end, yet filling (and sufficiently caloric) dining experience. I apologize for the absence of photos to accompany this write-up.

Appetizer: Based on the compelling reviews of LTH-ers we ordered the Pretzel-crusted crab cake. This dish was delicious and was devoured incredibly quickly - I appreciated the poppy-seed honey which complemented the natural sweetness of the crab. We also went with the Kobe Beef Sashimi - the beef simply melted on the tongue. I'm not a big mayo person, but the truffle mayonnaise was a delectable complement to the thinly sliced meat. Finally we tried the East Meets West oyster platter, which was unremarkable

Entree: Having never enjoyed dry-aged steaks my friend and I were a bit reluctant to order the robust 75-day aged ribeye, instead opting for more conservative reserve cuts. He went with the 40-day aged ribeye (rare), and I decided upon the 55-day aged ribeye (medium-rare) . Neither of us were disappointed. I found the nutty flavor imparted by the 55-day aging delicious. We were both struck by the very discernable differences in flavor and texture of our two cuts (which both came out closer to rare). The effects of the 15-day extra aging were quite stark. The 40-day age was juicier, but tasted much more like a premium wet-aged steak you might find at another top-notch steakhouse. The 55-day age was nuttier and more buttery, slightly tougher, while possessing a depth of flavor that was a distinctively dry-aged. We were both pleased with our respective orders, if I make it back to Primehouse I think I'll give the 75-day age a try. For sides we went with the tempura green beans and truffle asiago fries - both were tasty.

Dessert: My buddy decided to go with the special "cake in a can," which was a baked-to-order red velvet caked with cream cheese icing and vanilla ice cream. I went with the cheesecake lollipop tree. I was initially concerned that my chocolate craving would not be satiated, but the lollipop tree included incrediblely rich chocolate-covered peanut butter cheesecake bites. The red velvet cake was also quite rich - leaving my buddy with a circular tin at least three-quarters full of cake to take home.

Overall our Primehouse experience met all my expectations. With the food, beer, wine and coffee our tab ran about $300, so it was nice to be dining on game show winnings. I definitely consider DB's Primehouse to be in the top tier of Chicago's steakhouse - particularly if your pining for the rich beefy flavor of dry-aged steaks.


Rob C.

Rob-

Thanks for the report. The dinner sounds fantastic.

-The GP

good choice, and hanks for the review of your visit.. although it has made me want to make another visit to DB's this weekend, and I dont know if I have an extra $300 laying around right now.