Talkin' Shop

Where didn’t we eat while we were in Chicago for the James Beard Awards this year?

Duck Duck Goat

Shamefully, neither of us had ever been to this Chicago hotspot so we stopped in for drinks before heading the Chefs Night Out party on Sunday Evening. Anticipating what was to come, we ordered the Before the Dawn cocktail which had vodka, blood orange liqueur, ginger liqueur, rose demerara, lemon, sea salt and some (*fingers crossed* preventative) activated charcoal.

Boka

Though twelve years old, Boka was easily the most talked about restaurant we went to during our trip. Perhaps because they were nominated for several James Beard Awards, including Best Chef Great Lakes, Best Pastry Chef, and Outstanding Service.

We opted not to do the tasting menu, and instead ordered a la carte – everything was delicious, particularly the marinated fluke with sea urchin, and the service was impeccable.

The Ladies Room

Easily our favorite stop of the trip, The Ladies Room at Fat Rice is situated behind the restaurant through and unmarked. The space itself is small and sexy and the drinks were incredible with service that was knowledgeable, yet unpretentious.
We also had meals at Entente, Smyth, and a burger for dessert downstairs at The Loyalist!

Congratulations to all the 2017 Bay Area Broadcast Media and Restaurant and Chef Award Winners! Our team had a great time eating their way through Chicago, kicking-off Taste America 2017 with an inspiring luncheon with planners from across the country and attending/working the awards earlier this month!

As one matures ages, you realize that no trip to Vegas is complete without a dining experience that is equally as electrifying as the people-watching nightlife the famously flashy city provides. While it may not be as esteemed when compared to more traditional food meccas, Vegas is home to a number of big-name chef outposts and hip transplanted concepts, which makes for a pretty strong recipe for delicious.

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