x-marx?

Hi

Has anyone been to dinners by these folks? Who are they? Where are they? Is it any good?

http://www.xmarxchicago.com/

They've catered some wine events at Perman Wine Selections. I went to one and thought their food was great - although I don't recall details now - but the service stations moved incredibly slow.

Hi, you should sign up to be part of their distribution list so you can receive a schedule of the dinners. Each dinner has a different theme so I think the best way is to experience them by attending. I have gone to several. And yes, they collaborate with Craig Perman, among others.

Hope to bump into you in one of their dinners!

fusionfan

Too bad they don't have their own location. Otherwise they could call it "The Spot". As in...

that is a good one

I went recently but don't have the detail that goes into one of the reviews normally posted here but....

I found it a great evening - food was delicate, fabulous flavours and imaginative. The people were easy to mix with and I had an enjoyable evening.

I'm not from Chicago but visit there regularly. I will definitely be looking to go again next time I'm there - far better than going to most restaurants - bearing in mind I was in town on my own so going to restaurants is fine but there is not a social element to it

Any X-Marx flaws?

Went last night to the Afro-Cuban dinner. Could not have been more perfect in any way! Fabulously creative, delicious, innovative and fresh with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Abe Conlon and his team are highly skilled and dedicated culinarians. He cooks dynamic, exciting food, served in a singularly unique and cool setting. Well worth the value and experience of "supper club" dining. X-marx is typically BYO, but they do, on occasion, collaborate with Craig Perman (equivocally skilled and dedicated) for beverage pairings.

hodnb wrote:Abe Conlon and his team are highly skilled and dedicated culinarians. He cooks dynamic, exciting food, served in a singularly unique and cool setting. Well worth the value and experience of "supper club" dining. X-marx is typically BYO, but they do, on occasion, collaborate with Craig Perman (equivocally skilled and dedicated) for beverage pairings.

They also collaborated last year with Jeff Pikus, ex-Alinea Chef de Cuisine, on a transcendent South East Asian themed dinner, and will be collaborating with Hugh Amano, former Uncommon Grounds-Devon chef and blogger (Food on the Dole) later in February. I think they're really singular in this town in elevating "supper club" dining.

backorforth wrote:Any X-Marx flaws?

The evening I was there one or two of the real "foodies" had a couple of comments to make - but even they were admitting that it was more driven by having something to say. I'm not sure I agreed with it.

It's not fine dining in the sense of the "white tablecloth" experience. You've got to know what you're getting. It's a funky atmosphere - benches on tables for 8 - so you're going to end up talking to the people around you. If you were looking for a romantic quiet evening you might be let down. The other thing is that they buy the products in the market on the day of the dinner and make up the menu as they go - so you do run the risk of a dish just not working. But even then there would be enjoyment in the experimental nature of that.

But once you know it's a "no fuss" type of evening, I can't think of anything negative - the food is certainly of a standard that is way beyond the price of the evening (even allowing for BYOB and tips).

And they are approachable and easy to chat to as well.

The Doc wrote:It's not fine dining in the sense of the "white tablecloth" experience. You've got to know what you're getting. It's a funky atmosphere - benches on tables for 8 - so you're going to end up talking to the people around you. If you were looking for a romantic quiet evening you might be let down.

I have never gone to an X-Marx dinner where you sit on benches..and I've gone to many of them since spring 2009 when they haven't had the buzz they're having now thanks to TastingTable.com article. The experience isn't "white tablecloth", but it's refined, gracious, and civilized...no one's sitting on any benches.

Also, I don't really think "supper clubs" are meant for romantic quiet evenings (there's the word...ah, "club", which implies a congregation of people). If you've gone to Sunday Dinner Club or Clandestino or Stephanie Izard's Wandering Goat clubs, one of the significant differences that you experience in those versus going to a "brick and mortar" restaurant is the fact that there is a sense of community, of people who are similarly focused and interested in food engaging in convivial conversation. And that's been the beauty, for me, at least, of the so-called "underground dining" movement...the whole interaction and sharing amongst the diners and between the diners and the chefs. I don't think a lot of people who go to these events are actually after a romantic, quiet evening. Otherwise, they will, and should go, to a restaurant.

Under the Influence: A Portuguese Junket
4.24.2010

Bacalhau | Potato, Ramps, House Salt Cod, Chips





Curry Crab | She-Crab, Oil-Cured Olives, Cucumbers, Mint, Curry



Peri & Whelk | Periwinkle, Whelk, Bacon, House Sourdough



Escabeche | Boston Mackerel



Octo Wagyu | Sashimi Octopus, Wagyu, Foie, Truffle, Red Wine



African Chicken | Chicken Hearts, Piri-Piri, Yucca, Passionfruit



Linguica | Feijoada, House Linguica



Balichao | Pork Belly, On Choy, Ramps



Pastel de Nata

fusionfan wrote:I have never gone to an X-Marx dinner where you sit on benches..and I've gone to many of them since spring 2009 when they haven't had the buzz they're having now thanks to TastingTable.com article. The experience isn't "white tablecloth", but it's refined, gracious, and civilized...no one's sitting on any benches.

What's wrong with benches? I was there last week for an asian-themed live seafood dinner. My first time but my dining companion has been to several. All in the same gallery-like space. Two long tables with benches. Very comfortable, very interactive and fabulous food. Going back next Sat. for a "fresh from the market" themed dinner. Can't wait to grab my spot on the bench

boudreaulicious wrote:

fusionfan wrote:I have never gone to an X-Marx dinner where you sit on benches..and I've gone to many of them since spring 2009 when they haven't had the buzz they're having now thanks to TastingTable.com article. The experience isn't "white tablecloth", but it's refined, gracious, and civilized...no one's sitting on any benches.

What's wrong with benches? I was there last week for an asian-themed live seafood dinner. My first time but my dining companion has been to several. All in the same gallery-like space. Two long tables with benches. Very comfortable, very interactive and fabulous food. Going back next Sat. for a "fresh from the market" themed dinner. Can't wait to grab my spot on the bench

The benches are gone. Chef said they're now serving at capacity with three long tables, which each seats eight with individual chairs.

happy_stomach wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:

fusionfan wrote:I have never gone to an X-Marx dinner where you sit on benches..and I've gone to many of them since spring 2009 when they haven't had the buzz they're having now thanks to TastingTable.com article. The experience isn't "white tablecloth", but it's refined, gracious, and civilized...no one's sitting on any benches.

What's wrong with benches? I was there last week for an asian-themed live seafood dinner. My first time but my dining companion has been to several. All in the same gallery-like space. Two long tables with benches. Very comfortable, very interactive and fabulous food. Going back next Sat. for a "fresh from the market" themed dinner. Can't wait to grab my spot on the bench

The benches are gone. Chef said they're now serving at capacity with three long tables, which each seats eight with individual chairs.

Chairs...benches...to be honest, after taking in the room when I arrived, I hardly noticed anything after that except the food!!

What is the cost like for one of their events, everything sounds great, but price is something that can't be overlooked for everyone.

Great pics, Happy_Stomach. Gorgeous! None of mine are even close.

Well_Marbled wrote:What is the cost like for one of their events, everything sounds great, but price is something that can't be overlooked for everyone.

They vary from $50 for most 5 course dinners with an upcharge of $5 or $10 for seafood focused dinners. $80 for junkets, which are usually 8 to 10 courses.

Sign up for their emailings at: http://www.xmarxchicago.com/

Great photos Happy_Stomach! I'm so glad you went and I assume you had a great experience? I've been a big X-Marx fan for the past two years, benches and all...Ha! I skipped the Portugese junket since I'm going to the Market Madness junket this coming Saturday. I think the junkets are a great way to experience their cuisine, but I'd also recommend the smaller, shorter Market dinners (5-6 courses for around 2.5 hours) for those who would like to get a sense of what X-Marx is all about.

Looking forward to meeting you Fusion Fan--I'll be there on Saturday as well.

fusionfan wrote:Great photos Happy_Stomach! I'm so glad you went and I assume you had a great experience?

Thank you. Yes, count me a fan. There were a few weak points with this last junket (e.g. bacalhau was closer to mashed potatoes; the center of the pastel did not set properly), but the meal as a whole was very impressive with "wow" moments (e.g. the periwinkle, the escabeche, the pork belly, the chicken hearts with piri-piri). The comparison petite_gourmande drew with Bonsoirée was apt. The Portuguese junket was far better than the two Bonsoirée experiences I've had and also more enjoyable overall than my other underground meals in Chicago.

boudreaulicious wrote:Looking forward to meeting you Fusion Fan--I'll be there on Saturday as well.

See you there! Looking forward to it.

I signed up for the mailing list.
How often do they send out info?

zoid wrote:I signed up for the mailing list.
How often do they send out info?

It has been monthly. They sent out the May event, and probably will send out June's schedule in the next week.

fusionfan wrote:

The Doc wrote:It's not fine dining in the sense of the "white tablecloth" experience. You've got to know what you're getting. It's a funky atmosphere - benches on tables for 8 - so you're going to end up talking to the people around you. If you were looking for a romantic quiet evening you might be let down.

I have never gone to an X-Marx dinner where you sit on benches..and I've gone to many of them since spring 2009 when they haven't had the buzz they're having now thanks to TastingTable.com article. The experience isn't "white tablecloth", but it's refined, gracious, and civilized...no one's sitting on any benches.

Also, I don't really think "supper clubs" are meant for romantic quiet evenings (there's the word...ah, "club", which implies a congregation of people). If you've gone to Sunday Dinner Club or Clandestino or Stephanie Izard's Wandering Goat clubs, one of the significant differences that you experience in those versus going to a "brick and mortar" restaurant is the fact that there is a sense of community, of people who are similarly focused and interested in food engaging in convivial conversation. And that's been the beauty, for me, at least, of the so-called "underground dining" movement...the whole interaction and sharing amongst the diners and between the diners and the chefs. I don't think a lot of people who go to these events are actually after a romantic, quiet evening. Otherwise, they will, and should go, to a restaurant.

How do I find out more about getting into Sunday Dinner Club or the likes?

jrapacz wrote:How do I find out more about getting into Sunday Dinner Club ...?

You google "Sunday Dinner Club" then sign up for the mailing list.

Are the locations for these available when you sign up? Or are the locations TBA 24 hours beforehand?

Hurdler4eva wrote:Are the locations for these available when you sign up? Or are the locations TBA 24 hours beforehand?

I don't know, but if you're OK with attending a "pop-up dinner" instead of an "underground dinner", you can do so with x-marx this Saturday at Birchwood Kitchen. Personally I'm holding out for the underpop dinner trend of 2012.

Hurdler4eva wrote:Are the locations for these available when you sign up? Or are the locations TBA 24 hours beforehand?

All non-pop-up Xmarx dinners are held at the same location.

boudreaulicious wrote:

Hurdler4eva wrote:Are the locations for these available when you sign up? Or are the locations TBA 24 hours beforehand?

All non-pop-up Xmarx dinners are held at the same location.

But they still won't email what that location is until 24 hours ahead