I absolutely love multiple course meals and tasting menus! There’s an element of excitement as you anticipate each course and guess which components will be paired together next. Chicago doesn’t have a shortage of restaurants to get your “course” fix.
Check out four of the unique dining experiences I’ve had the pleasure of attending. Enjoy!
Valhalla
916 W Fulton Market (Inside Timeout Market Chicago)
Cost $185/ 11 Courses
Valhalla
Valhalla is an innovative fine dining concept located on the 2nd floor of Timeout Market Chicago. The menu features inventive dishes by award winning Chef Stephen Gillanders. The 11 course seasonal tasting menu is a creative and reflective look inside Chef Stephen’s culinary career and world travels. I love the “come as you are” approach. Fine dining can often times feel pretentious, but not at Valhalla. You get the same high quality food, but in a more relaxed atmosphere. There’s also an al la carte menu and a multitiered beverage pairings.
I enjoyed: I went shortly after they opened late last year. This is one of the spots where you turn to your neighbor in awe after each course. Each bite had such unique flavors and complexity. I would have to say I really enjoyed the Steak Tartare (bone marrow crostini) and the Reclette Porridge (sacha’s mushrooms, shishito salsa verde).
Insta Capture: Watch HERE
The M Room
450 N Clark Street
Cost: $185/ 10 courses additional $145 The Macallan or wine pairing menus
The M Room
The M Room brings a high-end, scotch centric dining experience to the River North area. The team behind Roka Akor is honoring The Macallan™while bringing it into the modern restaurant era in a unique, first-of-its-kind restaurant concept.
Situated next to Roka Akor, the concept combines luxury pours of The Macallan with a tasting menu inspired by the whisky, making for an expert marriage of dish and dram. The 10 course tasting menu highlights the flavors and ingredients used in the Scotch whisky making process, including barley, yeast, oak, sherry and, of course, whisky.
Beverage pairings include craft cocktails as well as neat pours featuring The Macallan, utilizing hard to find whisky’s including The Macallan Rare Cask and Macallan Harmony. Wine pairings are also available. The Macallan and wine pairing menus ring in at an additional $145 each.
I enjoyed: Definitely a sexy vibe when you walk into this establishment….warm lighting, dark tones, rich fabrics and minimal décor. My favorite course would have to be the seared scallop (Macallan brown butter, Foie Gras mousse, XO sauce) paired with Emilio Lustau Dry Oloroso Sherry.
Insta Capture: Watch HERE
Sushi Suite 202
1816 N Clark Street (Inside Hotel Lincoln)
Cost: $155/ 17 courses
Sushi Suite 202
Sushi Suite is a 17 course Omakase experience. Omakase is a Japanese phrase meaning, “I’ll leave it up to you.” Sushi master, Michael Geaffeo, prepares mouth watering bites of fresh Sushi in front of you and guides you through the meal by explaining each bite.
What makes the dining experience so unique is the location. The Sushi Suite brand created the worlds first ever hotel room turned restaurant. You’re really sitting inside a hotel suite! The 60 minute timed experience features the freshest fish, both locally sourced and brought in from all over the world. You can compliment your meal by adding a handmade crafted cocktail, imported sake, or rare Japanese whiskies.
I enjoyed: This is soooo hard! I would have to say my favorite sushi bites involved either truffle or wasabi. In my opinion you need to try this experience. It will change the way you think of sushi. The bites literally melt in your mouth. I’m a huge fan and Sushi Suite popped my Omakase Cherry. 🙂
Insta Capture: Watch HERE
Geja’s Cafe
340 W Armitage Avenue
Cost: $58/ 3 Courses
Geja’s Cafe
Geja’s Cafe is one of Chicago’s most iconic restaurants. It’s also known as being one of the most romantic restaurants offering a unique fondue dining experience. Now in its 58th year of operation Geja’s is offering a seasonal premier fondue dinner for the first time in the restaurants history.
The premier fondue dinner is set up into 3 courses and offers Swiss Gruyere cheese fondue, Belgium dark chocolate fondue, and entrée fondue with the most premium meats and seafood selections.
I enjoyed: Everything! I went on a date here along time ago and it was such a nostalgic experience. It’s not everyday you assist in cooking your meal at the dinner table. I absolutely love unique dining experiences like this. The dessert fondue course was my favorite. White chocolate was melted down with heavy cream and a touch of butter. A bright raspberry coulis was drizzled tableside to complement the rich white chocolate fondue. Absolutely DELICIOUS!
Insta Capture: Watch HERE
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