For us, it’s big news any time Gerard Craft comes to cook in Chicago. The St. Louis chef and restaurant owner (of Niche and Pastaria) deserves mention with any farm-to-table type in Chicago among the best chefs working in the midwest. Such as, say, Andrew Zimmerman of Sepia, his fellow James Beard semifinalist as of last week, who will be hosting Craft for a collaborative dinner on Tuesday, March 12, celebrating “modern midwest cuisine.” It will start with an hors d’oeuvres reception in Sepia’s private event space, followed by a five-course tasting menu from both chefs, paired with wines by Sepia Wine Director Arthur Hon. See the menu below; the dinner is $115 with wine pairings and welcome cocktail, excluding tax and gratuity. Reserve your seat at 312-441-1920.
Previously: Try Nightwood’s Mathew Rice’s New Gelato. In St. Louis.
Menu
Amuse- Chef Craft
Nettle tea, rendered chicken fat
First Course- Chef Craft
Spring garlic soup, raw garlic marshmallow, root vegetable soil, bergamot, Meyer lemon oil
2010 Claudio Vio, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Liguria
Second Course-Chef Zimmerman
Seared scallop, English pea custard, bacon dashi, almond, pea tendrils
2010 Couloir Pinot Noir Roma’s Vineyard, Anderson Valley
Third Course-Chef Craft
Pork belly, preserved trout sauce, honey-radish purée, sorrel, hazelnut
2007 Savennières Bel Ouvrage, Damien Laureau
Fourth Course- Chef Zimmerman
Wagyu “bavette,” maitake, cippolini, sunchoke, coffee, béarnaise
2008 Casar de Burbia, Bierzo
Dessert- Sepia
Chocolate marquise, salted caramel sauce, coffee-cardamom ice
Emilio-Lustau Pedro Ximénez East India Solera