chicago restaurant week 2011

chicago restaurant week is a real treat. every february 200 or so restaurants in the city offer special prix fixe meals for lunch and dinner. this allows you to try, and often times afford, restaurants you may not normally go to. it's also a great excuse to go out with friends during the week. but in all honesty, it doesn't take much to get me to go out for some good food.

in past restaurant weeks i have enjoyed quartino and frontera grill. this year i went to sepia with my good friend allie. we had a wonderful time.

i recently met the executive chef, andrew zimmerman, at an event at the merchandise mart. he is incredibly nice and creates amazing food. please do yourself a favor and pay him a visit.

now i'll let the pictures do the talking. 

wine:

grand family wines tempranillo straight lines, california

first course:

RICOTT A  CAVATELLI

ricotta cavatelli, lamb sugo, grana padano

PORCINI MUSHROOM SFORMATO

wild baby arugula, sage-walnut pesto

DUCK FAT FRIES

second course:

ANCHO-ESPRESSO BRAISED PORK CHEEKS

three sisters' white corn polenta, tart apple salad

PAN FRIED RAINBOW TROUT

candied bacon, hazelnuts, haricot verts, spoon bread

third course:

CHOCOLATE PECAN CAKE

coconut ice cream, butterscotch

MASCARPONE CREAM NAPOLEON

figs, orange, cranberries

cocktails:

FRENCH 75

hendrick's gin, fresh lemon sour, orange bitters, demi-sec sparkling rose

SOUTH X SOUTHWEST

olmeca altos resposado tequila, st-germain, rosemary, lemon, moscato d'asti, old fashioned bitters

i'm already hungry for next year.