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View Full Version : Charlie Trotter's Kitchen Table



UdubBadger
06-20-2012, 08:38 AM
Got a call from my best friend yesterday around 2pm. He asked me if I wanted to go to dinner with him, his fiance wasn't feeling well and he couldn't back out of his reservations. I don't get to see him all that often anymore, he is a very busy guy from owning his own restaurant which has become a pretty good success in its 1st year of being open (they say that's always the hardest) www.benjaminrestaurant.com. So because we don't get together all that often I of course said sure, it's also his 31st birthday this week so I thought it'd be nice to share it with him.

Anyway, so he tells me we are going to Charlie Trotter's, basically the most highly regarded restaurant in Chicago and easily one of the top 10 in the entire world. Trotter also happens to be someone from the same area as us, a U of Wisconsin graduate (go Badgers) and my best friend Ben's cooking inspiration, having staged (pronounced: ST/aj/ed) for him a few years back while he was in culinary school (this is like a brief apprenticeship).

So knowing the kind of high end cuisine that is offered there, I realized it would be special and since Trotter is actually closing his doors this August after 25 VERY successful years, I decided I could not decline on this opportunity despite my palette being more accustomed to Chipotle and Wendy's than upscale delicacies.

And then as I was getting ready, my friend Ben text messaged me and said, "Oh, and we are eating at the kitchen table". I was a bit confused... what the hell?

From Trotter's website:

The Kitchen Table

We began offering the table in the kitchen over 20 years ago and it has become our most requested table. The table, seating four to six guests, provides a first-hand view of the activity in a world-class restaurant kitchen.

Surrounded by Chef Trotter's custom-designed kitchen you will be served a special menu that Trotter and his team create for you that evening.


Also, I found out that Trotter - who believe it or not was never properly trained as a chef, is closing his doors this August so this is pretty much his farewell tour right now.

So this is basically one of the most bad ass things anyone can witness and I'm doing it a month before he locks the doors? WOW.

Anyway, I was not allowed to bring a real camera so the iPhone had to make due and on top of that I was a bit squeamish taking photos of everything to begin with because of the setting so it was more of a rush job photographically but I thought I would share.

Normally this is a 13 course dinner for the guests with wine pairings at each course and some of the most delicious breads and gourmet butter I've ever imagined. I opted out of the wine because I don't drink much and never got into the wine scene. I was given a few pairings that were made from puree's and such instead of wine.


So here is the photo gallery:
Our View
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/196044_623347726143_787758826_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/545521_623367152213_55296026_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/600224_623367052413_1288957396_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/206105_623367187143_1995644679_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/198339_623367242033_778047478_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/270962_623367276963_754768492_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538428_623367331853_185434931_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538601_623368903703_2008281022_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547308_623368918673_1972529696_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554639_623369048413_1062068972_n.jpg

My plethora of drinks
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/551708_623369068373_1485545199_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/168875_623369118273_1077872972_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/314262_623373694103_713282299_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/269240_623373739013_1772619945_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/598801_623373993503_997011007_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/598762_623374163163_1821588467_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/224967_623374238013_1857268390_n.jpg
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/197709_623374352783_2098426527_n.jpg

My buddy Ben asking me how many courses we just ate....
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550931_623377237003_240899492_n.jpg

This was our menu however we were fed more than what was listed on here.
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6936898-fcfb-a8f2.jpg

And then this the my favorite part of the night...
:eyetwitch
http://img.tapatalk.com/a6936898-fcc7-ea01.jpg


Overall, it was a lot of fun to experience and expand my horizons of culinary excellence. There was a point where I ate something I was almost sure it was going to come back up but I kept my cool (it was a thalmus I believe).

However, that being said, I think my wife and I are going to go out for burgers tonight. ;)

johnrando
06-20-2012, 08:43 AM
SO freakin' unbelievably awesome!

danewilson77
06-20-2012, 10:23 AM
Nice.

Only 10% tip :shifty

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

johnrando
06-20-2012, 10:58 AM
Now THAT's funny Dane. Didn't catch that. Definitely the tip should be more, especially with that setup. Guessing maybe some was already included?

wsmeyer
06-20-2012, 11:57 AM
It says "Service Included at 18%"

The $100 was in addition to that.

He is signing the wrong copy though

William.

DasMechaniKer
06-20-2012, 11:59 AM
Nice layout, but what a bill at the end!! That was for just the two of you?

ryankokesh
06-20-2012, 12:35 PM
Nice! Bummed they're closing though... :(

danewilson77
06-20-2012, 02:21 PM
It says "Service Included at 18%"

The $100 was in addition to that.

He is signing the wrong copy though

William.


Now THAT's funny Dane. Didn't catch that. Definitely the tip should be more, especially with that setup. Guessing maybe some was already included?

Yup...some was already in there.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

UdubBadger
06-20-2012, 08:00 PM
Nice.

Only 10% tip :shifty

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

to be fair they already add in a gratuity on the bill so this was on top of that 18%

being a high quality guy and chef... he took care of the people who took care of us.

UdubBadger
06-20-2012, 08:01 PM
It says "Service Included at 18%"

The $100 was in addition to that.

He is signing the wrong copy though

William.

lol we were so tired after it all... he signed both

UdubBadger
06-20-2012, 08:01 PM
Nice layout, but what a bill at the end!! That was for just the two of you?

yup 2 of us and I didn't even get the wine paring which is like an additional $100 or so

danewilson77
06-21-2012, 03:57 AM
yup 2 of us and I didn't even get the wine paring which is like an additional $100 or so

Such a baller.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

az3579
06-21-2012, 12:11 PM
How can such miniscule amounts of food cost soooo much???? :jawdrop

Jon D
06-21-2012, 01:17 PM
What a great opportunity. Have eaten there before many years ago and was just amazed at the food, can't imagine what you guys got.. cool

JupiterBMW
06-21-2012, 01:42 PM
This reminds me of a night I had a $1270 bar tab at a club in Reno... Granted, that was 8 of us, bottle service all night, but still, if I wasn't hammered when I signed for the bill, I might've had heart failure...

UdubBadger
06-21-2012, 05:00 PM
:rofl

JupiterBMW
06-21-2012, 05:15 PM
:rofl

Yeah, was NOT doing this....

Luckily I was :drunk or I would've been :crying