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:
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.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.
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
My plethora of drinks
My buddy Ben asking me how many courses we just ate....
This was our menu however we were fed more than what was listed on here.
And then this the my favorite part of the night...
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.
Originally Posted by danewilson77
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