Chicago's Greatest Gift to the World: Food

Though America may laugh at the way we talk, joke about our professional sports teams (maybe next year, Cubs), and fear our winter's; one thing they can't deny is that Chicago knows how to cook, and eat!! I am luck enough to be dating someone who appreciates a good meal. No, that's an understatement; I am lucky enough to be dating someone who lives to eat and makes it a life's goal/mission to try all the great food this city (and the world) has to offer. Before dating Neil I enjoyed the basics, Italian, Mexican, Sushi, etc. however since Neil and I started dating I have been introduced to so many new types of food! Although some of these pre-date the "year of doing" Neil and I have been on a mission to experience so many of the amazing restaurants Chicago has to offer. We started by making a lot of decisions based on the Chicago 2012 Bib Gourmond list (http://www.michelintravel.com/what-is-bib-gourmand/chicago-2012-bib-gourmand-restaurants/). When this first came out we started checking them off left and right! It's been such neat way to see the city as well as try many different types of places.

NOTE TO READER: Food/restaurants will be documented frequently in this blog.

In the last 6 weeks or so, Neil has really stepped up his game! We've been to some unreal selections!! In late December we went to Longman and Eagle (http://longmanandeagle.com/) with Neil's fellow foodie, Nick. This was the most unreal meal of my life (at that point). They had this ravioli on the menu that changed my life. This was also the first time that I had bone marrow and sweetbreads. The sweetbreads here are the best I've had since! I HIGHLY recommend this place. They also have an amazing beer selection, my favorite was the Hitachino Nest White Ale, I think it's because of the cute little owl on the bottle! Love the environment here, super laid back, and as my boos pointed out, everyone who works there looks like Lumber Jacks (mmm hmmm)!

The following weekend we went to Boka (http://www.bokachicago.com)
with my good friend Mary Kate and her fiance Kirk. Boka was great! Very fancy inside, but the food was also great and unique. Similar to Longman and Eagle, we just got a bunch of plates to split. The scallops and the octopus really stood out to me at this restaurant.

After the New Year Neil and I went to the Purple Pig (http://thepurplepigchicago.com/) with Nick (mentioned above) and his girlfriend Becky. This was a fun and great meal. Being located right on Michigan Avenue I did not think this would have the amazing types of food and warm environment it did! They do not take reservations here, so get there EARLY or plan to wait. Which we did. We went across the street for a drink and they are great about calling you when your table is ready (very nice). It's communal seating, which can be a lot of fun. The stand out for me here was the pig's ear's. Sick, I know, but so amazing. I don't think there was one thing we ate that I didn't absolutely love. I would highly recommend this place and can't wait to go back. I loved the ambiance as well. It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be, but very cozy, especially on the freezing night we went!

For Neil's birthday we went to Alinea (http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/). Wow. First of all, before I get into the food, the experience is unlike anything I've ever done in my life. The website is similar to the restaurant, no sign up front, just the address. You walk in and even the hallway and doors are cool! They called us a few days before and asked if we had any food allergies, etc, which was cool. The food is all so amazing and unique. Each bite has a million different flavors! The bite that stood out to me was the hot potato/cold potato combo. Every course was presented in a different way which was super cool. The staff there was amazing. They were welcoming and presented each course with so much knowledge. This was definitely a night to remember! Below is a picture of the dessert that was plated by Grant Achatz. It was done on the table, amazing!











Last night, we went to Publican (http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/) which was really cool. I love the environment there. The beer was so great and our waiter and the whole staff was so nice and helpful with selections and suggestions. The plate that stood out to me was the pork belly. Wow. Can't wait to go back here in the summer time!

Some other places we've been lately:
Browntrout - I like the environment, not totally crazy about the food.
Hopleaf  - Words can't express how much I loved this place. Great food. Great drinks. Fun environment.
Lao Sze Chuan - Chef to the celebrity, Chef Tony strikes again. Very good!
Owen and Engine - Best fish and chips ever. Though I've never been, I imagine this is what it's like to sit in a London pub. Great for the winter too!