What's up? Am I the only chef who actually goes out to eat? I'm in Chicago and eat out all the time.. i love checking out what every one is up to. I think my boyfriend gets a little tired of being a guinea pig... but I love it. I'm still dining at Ixcapuzalco and loving it. The soft shell crabs were great.. sort of mojo de ajo. Geno ( the chef ) makes a mushroom soup with chilis and nopales that is amazing... i call ahead for it, just in case it's not on the menu. Check it out, guys.

I try to eat out when I can but it's hard when you work 6 days a week. as you can well imagine. I did eat at Blackbird in Chicago the other day. at least I think that the name the place on Randolph just west of the river. comments. well the food was very good. but portions a bit small average entree $18, if I did not have an appitizer I would of left hungry. anyway well balanced food. very good ingredients. the menu used too many Buzz words like "melted" leeks & Salsify huh! The place was happening very young crowd. I'm used to the suburbs were the average age of my customers is 100. I'm Joking of course. I had a foie Gras terrine appetizer with a ginger Peach coulis. and beef tenderloin for my entree. both very good cooked to prefection. My friend had a soft shell crab entree with Morels. The flavor was good but I guess the cook did not sear the Crabs Properly very gummy. The room very small I would guess 60-70 seats, the tables were too close together for my comfort. I kept wanting to reach over with my fork & try the other tables food. anyway I'm Rambling on and on. all & all a great place to go if your in chicago.
Brian

Hey Bri... I agree... Blackbird is good... Paul Kahan is very talented and certainly deserves all the accolades... (Food and Wine)
Where else do you like to eat in the city?
I have tons of recommendations. I eat out all the time.

[Pete]

The other night I had a chance to eat at Savarin. I work right around the corner and got off early so I headed over there for a beer and a quick bite. I ended up staying and having 3 courses at the bar. Started off with grilled sardines, next moved on to seared foie with port syrup (one of my true weaknesses) and finished with the braised rabbit with spinach noodles. They present it in a Le Crueset pot and then plate it tableside (barside). John Hogan does great things with his food but keeps it down to earth which is what I really love.

I agree, Savarin is awesome. Has anyone been to Fahrenheit? I had an excellent meal there a couple of weeks ago. I'm getting ready to have another Frontera Grill attack, so am mentally preparing myself for the wait, buffered by those fabulous mararitas. Also - has anyone eaten at Zoom Kitchen on Belmont?

booboo, instead of frontera, try Ixcapuzalco. It's so great. If you check out this month's restaurant recommendation...

[ChefRon]

Do all you guys live in Chicago or what? I was going to recommend Taco Bell. They have this awesome gordilla thing....just joking. I really have no life. I cook and sleep, cook and sleep. I did eat out at a real restaurant once... I think it was before I had kids.

Hey chefron, Yes, quite a few of us live in chicago, as the creators of this website are here too. I was, however, just in Michigan, just outside of Detroit. ( Aren't you somewhere near there?) Had dinner at Tribute in Farmington.(I think it was Farmington...) Anyhow, I realize, by now, you have kids, a wife, no doubt a dog or two, and a job at a Hotel.. YOu need to find a sous chef that you can really count on and get out sometime. It took me about 3 years to find that person. He is fabulous and we each HAVE A LIFE. It is possible.... then take your wife out to dinner and get a babysitter.

[ChefRon]

No, I quit hotels 10 years ago and have never looked back. Next time you come to Michigan will you please e-mail me? I've got an account at the restuarant I never use and would love to have you and some of your friends over for dinner. I work in a casual family style restaurant that's huge on animatronics and fiber optic everything. Our diners get assailed by charging life- sized elephants and crocodiles all night long. Kids love us. The food is basic as we average 3,000 meals a day (really) with a $12.00 check average so don't come expecting risotto with truffle honey oil.

As for taking my wife out... surely you have been talking to our marriage counsellor? Did my wife put you up to that? Did she e-mail you? Tell me the truth now... :-)

chefron, I read the "aging chef" before I got to this replay... I agree with the comment about writing... You have a clever wit.. and are rather literate! The detroit papers are in dire need of the clever blood. Food critic? How about just submitting a column about food or trends or aging chefs?

Carol, I am a new member and just browsing through the site I've noticed you seem a bit more traveled than most. Ever been to L.A? I'am going to some seaweed packing spa in Palm Springs next month ( the girlfriends idea of course) we're staying in B.H for a day and driving to the spa. Any hints on how I entertain the "Chef" in me? this pampering thing sounds real dull however I here the Chef is 2-star French. By the way I am soooo jealous of you people in Chicago. I've been, once, for a day we stayed at the Drake, lunch at the cheesecake factory, and dinner at Charlie Trotter's. WOW! I love your City!

Asexton, I'm from LA> born and raised... and live in Chicago, now... own a restaurant here. My mother lives in Palm Springs, now... what do you want to know? There are tons of great restaurants in LA> (chicago, too) Not too many in Palm Springs... well there are lots, but the ratio is lower compared to LA or Chi.