Where to eat in Chicago

1. Naha : What to order ---Pan Roasted Skate Wing with "Blue Hubbard" Heirloom Squash Cannelloni, Golden Chanterelles and Braied Leeks, Spaghetti Squash, Apple Cider Brown Butter and Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil; Wild Alaskan Halibut with a "Fondant" of Butternut Squash, Vibrant Young Carrots & Turnips, Hen of the woods mushrooms, Celery Root Mousseline, Enriched Squash Jus & Chives; "Gateau Basque" Custard Cake, Olive Oil Ice Cream, Pomegranate Jelly, Poached Bartlett Pears and Pomegranate Seeds; Dark chocolate truffles and date jellies.



Pan Roasted Skate Wing with "Blue Hubbard" Heirloom Squash Cannelloni




Wild Alaskan Halibut with a "Fondant" of Butternut Squash




"Gateau Basque" Custard Cake, Olive Oil Ice Cream




Dark chocolate truffles and date jellies



 2. The Peninsula Chicago (Pierrot Gourmet Bistro) : What to order --- Thanksgiving Prix-Fixe Brunch; Salad Nicoise (rare seared tuna, arugula, frisee, egg, potatoes, haricots verts, white anchovies, tomatoes, and balsamic dressing); Quiche Lorraine (gruyere cheese, bacon, leeks, and petite salad).



Dessert Table (Thanksgiving lunch)




Salad Nicoise





Quiche Lorraine (gruyere cheese, bacon, leeks, and petite salad)

 

 3. Mercat a la Planxa : What to order --- Pan de tomate y ajo; Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes with spicy paprika aioli); Gratin de escalivada (oven baked roasted red peppers, tomato, eggplant, chipolini onions, goat cheese, and grilled sourdough); Coca de gambas con garbanzos (this was a flatbread topped with shrimp, chorizo, and garbanzo bean puree); Hazelnut Mascarpone Gateaux, apricot sorbet, dried apricots, dulce de leche, and toasted hazelnuts!!!

Garlic and Tomato Toast

Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes with spicy paprika aioli)



Gratin de escalivada




Coca de gambas con garbanzos




Hazelnut Mascarpone Gateaux



 4. Sixteen en Trump Hotel : What to order ---  Pretzel rolls; Rushing water's rainbow brook trout (served with spaghetti squash, baby spinach, and red wine butter); Slagel farms prime burger (red onion jam, farm house white cheddar, roasted garlic aioli, pretzel bun, and micro greens). The "waffle" potatoes were such a good addition!!!



 Pretzel rolls




Rushing water's rainbow brook trout



Slagel farms prime burger

5. Pensiero Ristorante : What to order --- Tonno (tuna, onions, mint-carrot brodo, and cocoa). The cocoa was such a great touch; Bittersweet Chocolate Budino with Vanilla Ice Cream. This cake was warm and in the center, there was melted chocolate.



Tonno (tuna, onions, mint-carrot brodo, and cocoa)



Bittersweet Chocolate Budino with Vanilla Ice Cream

 6. Cafe Spiaggia : What to order --- Pizze Prosciutto (tomato, prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, arugula, and whole wheat crust); Tiramisu (ladyfingers, mascarpone, cocoa, amaretto, Illy espresso). The amaretto was a smart twist. The almond flavor was well suited for the creamy texture of the mascarpone. The plating of the dessert was perfect. On the bottom, there was a white creamy sauce (probably mascarpone-based), drizzled with chocolate sauce. On the top, crunchy caramel!!!



Pizze Prosciutto




Tiramisu



 7. North Pond : What to order --- Pork & Apple (Tenderloin, Confit Belly, Apple Pudding, Kohlrabi Fondant, Brussels Sprouts, Butterscotch-Apple Puree, and Cinnamon); Seabream & Pumpkin (Grilled Carolina Sheepshead Seabream Fillet, Wild Rice, Apple, Butternut Squash, Romanesco, Kale, and Pumpkin Seed Mole); Chocolate Huckleberry (Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake, Fresh Huckleberries, Meyer Lemon Puree, HUckleberry Sorbet, and Toasted Hazelnuts); Salted-chocolate truffles and grape jellies at the end :) THE BEST RESTAURANT!!!



Pork & Apple (Tenderloin, Confit Belly, Apple Pudding, Kohlrabi Fondant)




Seabream & Pumpkin (Grilled Carolina Sheepshead Seabream Fillet, Wild Rice)





Chocolate Huckleberry (Chocolate-Hazelnut Cake, Fresh Huckleberries, Meyer Lemon Puree)




Salted-chocolate truffles and grape jellies at the end