chicagowench

One could argue the amuse is included in the cost of the meal and thus sold, if the amuse is listed as the first course. But man, I've had some wonderful courses which were simply 'sent out' with the compliments of the chef and were never listed on the menu I ordered. In which case- did I truly pay for it, was the foie sold to me, or was it a happy little squee-inducing gift of tasty goodness which could theoretically be used to stick it to Ald. Moore?

No, it's not the same table- the shorts dude was there the first time I went. From the snatches of booming conversation my mother and I could not avoid, he and his female companion were guests at the hotel.

Elrushbo, there is not a jacket requirement. I would, however, exhort you not to show up in khaki cargo shortds, sneakers, and a rumpled polo like the gent 3 tables over from me the first time I was there. Enjoy! (ue, there had better freakin be pics, and let me know when I can post my paean, I've been holding off so as not to spoiler)

Mmmmm, when to go, when to go. Too bad I'm out of town this weekend. Bah! The nicoise on the lunch menu sounds interesting.

Hrm, tough. Thus, I give you three lists. Money is no object: Alinea, Avenues, Charlie Trotter's, Blackbird, Frontera Grill Good dining without taking out second mortgage: erwin, Kiki's Bistro, Jackie's Bistro, Co Co Ro for shabu shabu, Emilio's Tapas Hand me that bottle of Tum's: Ribs n Bibs, Dear Frank's, Mustard's Last Stand, Cedars of Lebanon (now renamed, the one in Hyde Park), Al's Italian Beef

I have to admit. The uniforms did feel a little strangely Love Boat, given the cuisine, but by the second course I really wasn't caring.

Frubjous joy, I get to wedge in a meal at Avenues in the near future. I have no doubt the second time will be as mindblowingly splendid as the first.

I checked the site and there's nothing up on the year round CSA yet. Let me dig through the kiddo's stash of pamphlets he refused to unhand, I'm pretty sure I got one. Anyone else interested in the info? And oh man, the smell from the fish emulsion. Nothing says spring like that stuff. I think you and I missed each other by about 20 minutes.

Moosnsqrl, did you chat with Dan from Organic Way at all? They're working on starting a grocery store in concert with other local producers, and are also involved in a new year-round CSA. I had a moment of cognitive dissonance when he mentioned they'd have 'value added' partially pre-prepped things at the store. It stood in contrast to the comment re: 2 generations of styrofoam packaging. I knew what he meant, and I know how meeting people halfway with a 'partially prepared' convenience product can aid people in becoming more active in cooking. It was just kind of...odd, coming from him.

Did a takeout order from them last night- plain flatbread (nummy but a little greasy), a make your own all cheese with bianco (for the kid and he ate it with gusto) and the spinach and prosciutto with carmelized onion and fig...goo. Tasty goo, mind, but on mine it was most decidedly goo. I can tell their ordering system, were we to dine in, would drive me insane. There's no way unless we reviewed the menu beforehand we could just walk in and order, and I'll bet on busy days that wait will get hellishly long.

We'll be at the market and then the expo. Woo!

Our party of 5 from the other night heartily apologizes to the staff of the cafe for shutting it down. Dinner was delightful- we all got something different (the untraditional shepherd's pie; the bleu cheese crusted Tallgrass strip steak; the Tasmanian wild salmon over forbidden rice; I had the gruyere, mushroom, and balsamic onions in phyllo; and my husband had the moussaka) and then had a mess of desserts. The stroll down high school/college musical memory lane only added to our good mood- instead of getting our loud, laughing selves out of there. Whoops!

So so so glad I just scored us dinner reservations here tonight. Quick, anyone who's been recently, what are your can't misses? (Why yes, this is the vacation we didn't overplan where we were eating, and now I'm scrambling!)

Bumping. Any new word on this? Website's not linking to anything useful

What is the opening date for the Farmer's Market this year? April 15? We split between there and Brookside. (Oh Brookside, how I love thee)

Allright then, given the issues of finding ingredients/sourcing, what are some places folks like, so long as we're on the best of KC? I've already given props to the Asian market at 103 and Metcalf.

Gee, I can't imagine which other boutique emporium you could be talking about! There are things, largely bizarro baking related, I rely on D&D for instead of schlepping to BC. Anything Asian ingredient wise I don't cough up at D&D for and go to the Asian market next to Irv's at 103rd and Metcalf. Unfortunately, they have the pocky right next to the checkout, and we never escape without stocking up on bizarro cookie flavours.

clarify please - what, exactly does this involve? Mmmm, excessive prices and consumer behavior which often drives me to brow-ticking raaaaaaage. (Having said that, I've had only positive experiences with the staff there, they have been nothing but unfailingly polite and helpful)

Info on Fevere from what I could find. We seriously need to get to Napoleon. I smell field trip. As for D&D, yeeeeeeeah. But that involves facing D&D. I also find their pastries oversweet and dense (then again, I tend to bake my own) And u.e.? I was in Chicago for the horrendous screwjob on the metra electric underground station at Randolph as part of the Millenium Park project, the ped underpass and LSD roadwork at 57th street, and- booyah- the big dig project at the Museum of Science and Industry. Oish. Talk about being able to bury bodies. And trains, cars, other large objects...

We're in the land of BBQ and giant construction pits along 135th andf 1515st, and we can't think of a good way to stash a body? Um topic. What's people's fave bakery?

My god, get sucked into the black hole of work for a few weeks, and the KC topics just splode on me. Mmmm, bests. We're still getting the lay of the land, sad to say (3 freakin years here and I still have a 'to try' list a mile long.) Best everyday: Will I be killed if I say Chipotle or Bo Ling's? Because sometimes a girl just needs to asphyxiate herself in a crate of Yung Chow fried rice or a burrito as big as her head. Best with cost as no consideration: I'm so torn. We've been to Bluestem once and whoagod do I want to go back and do the tasting as opposed to ala carte. 40 Sardines is our regular nice meal hangout and practically our home away from home. Mmmmm, ginger margaritas. And they will forever have my gratitude for welcoming our kid and helping him learn proper restaurant behavior from an exceedingly early age. Best BBQ: Bryant's. Best Thai:... sob. I have yet to find one I like. Place I really think we should get to more often: Aixois, and by 'we' I mean 'me' as my UMKC prof spouse gets over there all the dang time. Best pizza: we have grown ridiculously fond of Pizza 51 on campus Custard? Sheridans. So Sheridans.

moonsnsqrl, please let me know if there's anything I can do to assist. Despite the username, I'm now a KC area resident. And I think there's a patio table at 40 sardines with our names carved on it.

Nothing says 'Happy New Year' like 2 pork butts and a brisket goin on to smoke. Everyone thought I was being good about having a lone glass of champagne last night because I was the designated driver. Heck no, I didn't want to be smokin with a hangover.

Dinner on Wed. was lovely and mindblowing as expected. i had been to Trio, my colleagues and dining companions had never experienced Chef Achatz's work before, and watching their stunned and joyful reactions was hilarious and awesome. When my colleague sends me the digital pics he took, I'll post. I send mad props to the captain, who around course #8 for us, murmured, "Miss will be pleased to know the White Sox won."

Having just caught up on this thread, I am now filled with almost unholy levels of impatience for my reservation next Wed. with colleagues.