Last weekend, I had the good fortune to visit Next and The Aviary, the new Chicago restaurant and cocktail bar from Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas. It was an incredibly decadent evening and one of the best dining experiences of my life. The theme of the first Next menu is Paris 1906 - Escoffier at the Ritz. Every detail - from the silver serving platters to the superb wine pairings - created a unique and memorable dining experience.
First course: Hors d’Oeuvres. Eggshell filled with truffle-topped egg custard, toast with foie gras and apricot jam, quail egg with anchovy, cracker with pork rillettes, and mushroom and leek.
Third course: Filet de Sole Daumont. Sole and crawfish including a crawfish-stuffed mushroom and breaded sole roe.
Fifth course: Caneton Rouennais à la Presse. Duck breast and leg with duck jus prepared using an antique duck press. You can see the duck press in action here.
Eighth course: Mignardises. Included beet pate de fruit, salted caramel and pistachio nougat. You can view pictures of all eight courses on my flickr page.
After dinner, we were welcomed into the Next kitchen to watch the talented staff at work and chat with Next Chef Dave Beran (pictured on the right).
We were then escorted next door for drinks at The Aviary. When we arrived at our table, a server brought out bloody mary amuse bouches.
Aviary cocktails pictured above: Blueberry with verjus, sweet vermouth, rye, blood orange peel, strawberries, pomegranate seeds and peppercorns and the Dark and Stormy, served capped in a brown paper bag.
Rhubarb with lemon balm, cocchi, gin, and Peychaud bitter round ice cubes. Martini in three glasses: aged, vermouth, gin. Truffle negroni with Campari and black truffle being poured in the background.
With seven people, we were able to sample a large number of the drinks available at the Aviary. They were all wonderful, but I especially enjoyed the Aviary take on the classic Negroni. There isn't much a black truffle won't improve, but the deep, earthly flavor combined with the bitter alcohol made for a truly remarkable cocktail.
A very special thank you to Nick for getting tickets to Next and treating me to dinner. I hope Aviary drinks and Dolly Parton tickets made up for it.
wow thanks for sharing--looks like an amazing meal!
Posted by: rachel @sweettarte | June 07, 2011 at 13:26
If I ever visit Chicago, Aviary is definitely on my list! These photos look amazing!
Posted by: Courtney | June 07, 2011 at 14:06
looks amazing!!!
*note: right after i typed that i saw that the previous two commenters said the exact same thing. i'll consider myself corroborated in duplicate.
Posted by: Robin | June 09, 2011 at 20:20
wow! I'm surprised they let you take pictures at Next - awesome. Thanks for the vicarious experience!
Did you try the pineapple drink at Aviary? That was my favorite.
Posted by: kasia | June 14, 2011 at 11:04
Thanks Rachel, it truly was.
Thanks Courtney, I highly recommend it.
Ha, thanks Robin. It is an apt descriptor!
Kasia, why are you surprised? There are many pictures around of Next. In fact, I didn't intend to photograph each course, but the staff really encouraged it. They kept arranging things nicely for me and placing the dishes in the best light. They even brought me out a second truffled egg custard because my egg shell broke. It was very welcoming!
Posted by: Gemma | June 15, 2011 at 11:40
wow. I can't really come up with anything more articulate to say, except I'm thrilled for you that you were able to go (well played, Nick!) and thank you so much for sharing with us.
Posted by: Nishta | June 20, 2011 at 15:27
Thank you Nishta! It was an incredible experience.
Posted by: Gemma | July 07, 2011 at 09:47