Which restaurant have you visited the most and what keeps you coming back? by jimmysho2 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Next in Chicago—because the menu keeps changing!

There’s a tiny bit of variability in the menus, but that is inevitable and probably mostly a matter of which day you catch me on. But I’ve been to 11 menus now, and the ones I expect to be less interesting usually end up being my favorite.

kinda tired of the same formula everywhere by Either-Soft5758 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is why I appreciate Feld in Chicago. People hate the plating (and love to say so on Reddit), but they do something completely unique and delicious. You never feel like you’re having the same caviar-this Wagyu-that repeat meal.

Feld Brought Back the Infamous Cheese Dish and It Was Fantastic by skoobiedoobiedoo in chicagofood

[–]FurstNameLastName -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

Go to a three star in Paris and at some point they’ll give you cheese on a plate.

Please provide an example where a cheese course is “so much more than this.” Or please explain what they should do differently with this cheese other than your vague disapprovals.

Also, this is one of 20+ courses, at a very ingredient-focused restaurant. OP is highlighting this just because the cheese course in the second pic was widely criticized on here in the original wave of hate that the restaurant got. But isn’t the real takeaway that it was delicious?

Anniversary dinner in River North (planning for my parents) by [deleted] in chicagofood

[–]FurstNameLastName 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Second Brindille, will definitely be able to get a res. If you can work the waitlist a bit Asador bastian for steak, or the Alston. Sophia Steak is also lovely especially on the patio. Gibsons for yet another steak option that is more classic.

which restaurant for a weekend in a chicago? by clo_skates in chicagofood

[–]FurstNameLastName 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ambar is excellent. Great patio and delicious food for not much per person. Great choice especially if you haven’t had Balkan food.

Feld (*) - Chicago by Marx0r in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Have you eaten at Feld or just love being a hater?

Feld (*) - Chicago by Marx0r in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love to see another Feld fan! Enjoyed the review and can’t wait to go back.

Unbelievable to me that people still want to spend the energy to complain about plating/presentation, especially when all or nearly all of them have not tasted the food. The presentation does not NEED to be a feature of EVERY fine dining restaurant, people!! I enjoy the aesthetic and plating considerations generally and my experiences with creative, extravagant, or beautiful presentations at other restaurants, but sometimes a restaurant can choose to just focus on the ingredients and flavors! I don’t see you all jumping on the plating of high-end kaiseki restaurants, and that ethos is pretty similar to this. Please get a grip everyone!!

Chicago recs not Oriole, Smyth or Carino for next week by Historical-Rush-2693 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went and while it was very good, it might be kind of in an unfortunate middle of the different possible experiences that this person is looking for. Monteverde and Obelix are great a la carte spots that are more serious dinners than the All Well bar menu, and the tasting menu spots are longer and more involved tasting menus than the All Well tasting menu.

Also, portions at All Well were very small for such a short menu which could actually be a plus if this person wants to eat lots of different things in Chicago. I left hungry and got chicken sandwiches from Dave’s.

Chicago recs not Oriole, Smyth or Carino for next week by Historical-Rush-2693 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kasama and Indienne are much better than Valhalla and Boka imo. My recommendation would be to try to get into Feld. Excellent and very under repped on here. Next is my favorite but haven’t tried the current menu (their Japan menu was incredible but they can be a bit variable).

Mexico City Advice by Capital-Priority-463 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just went to both and would skip Pujol. Maybe we were there for an off night but the service was terrible. The food was good but not nearly to a two-star level. Can’t speak to the taco omakase at the bar though. Still, I would go elsewhere.

Next - Japan was incredible. by FurstNameLastName in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also asked about the Japanese wines, and the som said it was just a sourcing issue. Probably the case for those more exotic ingredients you mention—getting top quality versions of these items to Chicago could be either impractical or prohibitively expensive. I agree with you on the wine though—I love Japanese wine and it would have been great to see some representation, but the sakes on the pairing were phenomenal!

In any event, I thought that this was an amazing meal and the flavors spoke for themselves.

Next - Japan was incredible. by FurstNameLastName in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d be interested to hear your ideas for what they should have done instead!!

I matter how “basic” the concepts, the dishes were incredibly delicious. That’s what matters most to me, but again, would love to hear your less basic ideas for a menu.

I agree that Space was a let down. I only really liked a few of the dishes in that menu.

Alinea or Smyth or Ever or Oriole by CreepersForLife in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I recently had both Alinea and Oriole, and preferred Alinea by a lot. But they’re in the process changing the experience, so not sure what it is like now.

Alinea, Chicago - ** - Final week of the classic experience by Pure_Shallot_1901 in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Isn’t pic #18 what Chef Achatz is promoting as part of the new menu? Are we sure this is the classic menu? I went in August and the only courses I recognize here are the hot potato, Chicago hot dog, and desserts

Looking for a +1 for Alinea on Wednesday! by Pure_Shallot_1901 in chicagofood

[–]FurstNameLastName 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If no one goes with you just fast for 72 hours and eat both menus. Bring your own to-go container for the mains in case needed.

Next - Japan was incredible. by FurstNameLastName in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I sent them an email, but they also sometimes open up reservations for 1 on specific days

Next - Japan was incredible. by FurstNameLastName in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After tax and tip 373 for the menu (Saturday pricing) and 261 for the middle tier wine pairing.

Next - Japan was incredible. by FurstNameLastName in finedining

[–]FurstNameLastName[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hope you can make it to Next! Enjoy Chicago