William, it was really nothing

themattsmith asked: If Kel and I were to come spend 1 night in Chicago, where should we absolutely eat dinner? (I understand if you are unable to limit it to just one place)

You mean besides my place?

Comedy aside, I’ve got three categories:

We’ve given up on getting a new house or educating Audrey and, in fact, have decided to sell her into white slavery.

Alinea — Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, they’re doing a lot of weird shit for weird shit’s sake. BUT, I found, on balance, there was a lot of thought behind their artifice and there’s something to be said for eating at the best restaurant in the country. As in “I ate at the best restaurant in the country and it rocked my pants off” por ejemplo.

Schwa — It’s a disaster to try and get into, but it’s got really inventive food (their thing is a flip on sweet and savory), served by the people who cooked it, backed by a great indie hip-hop soundtrack in a BYO space. Also, it’s a quarter as expensive as Alinea. 

These are places more in line with your culinary ethos, but aren’t necessarily destination dining (though I’d go nuts if I got to go to any of them).

The Publican — Great oyster program, curated ham list (yes, I just typed that) and great beer. I wanted us to go here when you and Ray were in town. It’s the most quintessentially “Matt Smith” resto with which I am familiar.

The Bristol — Nice space, ever evolving menu, great drinks. This is my favorite neighborhood place to go. It’s not onerously expensive, but you can make it so with a little work. 

Longman & Eagle — This is my local, and it’s great. They’ve got a Michelin star, and, while that’s often as much deterrent as incentive. it’s earned it. 

You want to treat Kel and you don’t care about location:

Katsu — I know it’s a sushi place in Chicago, but it’s where I’ve spent my last two birthdays, if that’s any indication of the esteem in which I hold it. This is, to my mind, a nigiri and sashimi place, but the cooked dishes are invariably great. He’s really meticulous about where he gets his fish. The atmosphere is fine, but unexceptional, but I’ve never noticied, because I was rationalizing getting another three dishes.