In early September we headed out to Chicago to visit our friends, Steph & Dan…and to go to the ND v Michigan football game in South Bend (ND 24 – Michigan 28).
We also made plans to have diner at Table Fifty-Two – we really enjoyed Art Smith’s appearances on Top Chef were looking forward to trying his dressed-up Southern cuisine which emphasizes fresh seasonal ingredients. Overall, we enjoyed the seasonal ingredients but were disappointed by a few things – the service was slow and no one seemed to remember who ordered what…and they forgot to put dressing on 2 of our salads. I did really like the restaurant space - it felt warm and inviting and the upstairs dining room was lovely. We were also pleasantly surprised when Art Smith came by our table to say hello!
Signature Parmesan Cheese Biscuits
Fried Green Tomatoes
Hot Sauce Aioli, Benton’s Bacon, Tomato Jam & Frisee
Chili
Seasonal Salad of Heirloom Tomatoes
Arugula and Fair Oak Farms Blue Cheese
Candied Pecans, Pears & Late Harvest Riesling Dressing
(dressing not show since they forgot to put it on the salad)
Fish with Brussels Sprouts
Beef Short Rib with Heirloom Cauliflower
Applewood Smoked Spring Chicken
Rapini, Cous Cous Mac and Cheese & Red Eye Barbeque Sauce
September 2004 ~ Chicago, IL
Catching up on some of our most memorable meals (Part I)
While trying to make a reservation at Trotter’s, the host mentioned that a last minute cancellation had just made the kitchen table available. In 2004, I was definitely a novice to most things epicurean. In fact, I didn’t even know what a kitchen table was and had to ask the woman on the phone. Concerned that a table in the kitchen would not be comfortable for my parents who would be joining us (well, treating us really), I told the woman I would have to call back after confirming that this table would do (ha!). I called my boyfriend (now husband) to inquire more about this whole “kitchen table” thing. All he could manage to say was…”GET IT, GET IT, GET IT” and pretty much hung up on me so I could call Trotter’s back – luckily the table was still available.
The kitchen table at Charlie Trotter’s was an absolute treat – one of, if not the most, memorable dinners I’ve ever had. The small table for four was in the front corner of the kitchen next to the espresso maker which servers actively visited for orders placed from the restaurant. While there was a constant flurry of activity, the kitchen was surprisingly quiet – definitely a tribute to the talented chefs hard at work there.
Of course, the food was incredible – a 17 course meal accompanied by Peter Michael wine, my dad’s favorite.
I’m still trying to find the pictures we took, but for now, here is our menu:
Charlie Trotters Kitchen Table - September 2004
2118 North Damen, Chicago, IL
Last weekend we were in Chicago visiting friends and family. Our friends suggested Sunday brunch at Duchamp, a relatively new restaurant that took over the space where Meritage used to be. Since we had about a 45 minute wait for a spot at one of the communal tables, we sat at the bar and ordered Mimosas and the east-meets-west hot wings to tide us over.
Once we were seated, we ordered some tasty brunch/lunch dishes:
grilled chorizo and egg quesadillas with red pepper, onions & salsa
grilled flatbread with tomatoes, feta cheese, spinach & sunny–side up eggs
duchamp havarti cheese burger with tomato rémoulade – add egg over easy (yes, please)
Turns out the tomato remoulade was so good, we dipped just about everything in it.
grilled chorizo and egg quesadillas with red pepper, onions & salsa
grilled flatbread with tomatoes, feta cheese, spinach & sunny–side up eggs
Duchamp havarti cheese burger