NoMI Chef Takes on New York!

Jealous I'm not in the Big Apple today because New Yorkers are getting a treat from some of our very own.

NoMI Executive Chef Christophe David, award-winning Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta and their amazing team are currently prepping for an amazing dinner tonight at the prestigious James Beard House—known best for the most coveted culinary awards in the United States.

Peep the menu. It's a good one:

Reception

Ponzu Marinated Yellowfin Tuna

Gruyère Cheese Gougere

Cured Salmon Bon Bon

Chausson with Bacon and Spinach

Truffled Chestnut Soup with Duck Confit

Champagne Philipponnat | Royale Réserve | Brut NV Mareuil sur Aÿ


Dinner

Watercress Soup

golden osetra caviar | crème fraîche

Sancerre | Domaine Eric Montintin | Loire Valley 2007

Rougié Foie Gras Crème Brûlée

brioche | hazelnut | petite herbs

Pinot Gris | Cuvée St. Catherine | Domaine Weinbach | Alsace 2007

Alba White Truffle Risotto

carnaroli rice | celery root | parmigiano reggiano

Mâcon-Chardonnay | Clos de la Crochette | Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon 2006

Brittany Turbot

artichoke barigoule | sauce bonne femme

Pinot Noir | Walter Hansel Winery | Russian River Valley 2007

Jamison Farms Rack of Lamb

lamb neck | black truffle | salsify | natural jus

Cheval des Andes | Château Cheval Blanc & Terrazas de los Andes | Mendoza 2005

Namelaka

sable | white chocolate crème | mango passion sorbet

Chardonnay Trockenbeerenauslese | Weingut Rosenfeld | Burgenland Austria 2004

Macarons, Chocolate and Nougat

A Decade of Decadent Dishes . . .

River North's Naha is one of several notable restaurants celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010. (Photo: Naha)


A milestone in meals. An era of exotic entrees. A decade of decadent dishes.

Any way you look at it, in these tough economic times when people's tastes change at the drop of a fork, a restaurant surviving 10 years is quite a feat.

So let's take a moment to give props to 10 Chicago restaurants celebrating 10 years in 2010:

437 Rush: Phil Stefani's old-school Italian gem offers classic dishes and live entertainment, attracting a mature, well-heeled crowd.

Adobo Grill: The moles. The margaritas. The music! The original location in Old Town still packs 'em in for lunch and dinner daily.

Bob San: The Wicker Park sushi spot has managed to hold its own even though its a stone's throw from one of the city's best, Mirai Sushi (which celebrates its 10th year this month!).

Chicago Firehouse: The former South Loop firehouse serves up decent classic American fare. Nothing fancy here, but we love it for the firehouse novelty alone.

The Grill on the Alley: The Chicago offshoot of the upscale Beverly Hills steakhouse is located on the first level of the Westin Hotel.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab: A tourist favorite in River North, this just may be the best seafood spot in the city.

Naha: The highly acclaimed executive chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian skillfully fuses her own rich Armenian heritage into New American cuisine, creating something very special.

N9NE Steakhouse: The tony West Loop steakhouse chose to celebrate its milestone for its ninth anniversary, but we suspect they'll still have something in the works for 2010. The contemporary steakhouse continues to draw the business traveler despite the decline of the corporate card.

NoMI: Only one of two restos with an amazing view of the Mag Mile, the award-winning Asian-French inspired NoMI still has one of the best terraces in the city.

Ringo Japanese Restaurant: When it comes to sushi, this Lincoln Park standby gets it right. So right that they've repeated their formula of success in Tsuki and Ai.

Local Winos Get Props on Top Chef

Bill Terlato (from left), Anthony Terlato and John Terlato of Terlato Wines International. (Photo: Terlato Wines)


It sucks Chicago didn't rep on Top Chef: Las Vegas this season, but some local guys appearing on the two-part series finale (airing 9pm CST Dec. 2 and 9th) should make up for it.

NBCChicago.com reports that Terlato Wines International owners Bill and Anthony Terlato will appear on both episodes. The owners will host a wine-tasting party for the finalists and serve as guest judge respectively.

But it doesn't end there. The Lake Bluff-based company has had a relationship with Top Chef for at least a few years, and even produced two new Napa Valley wines as a tribute to the show: Quickfire Napa Valley Chardonnay and Quickfire Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, named for the show’s exciting Quickfire Challenge where contestants compete in fast-paced culinary trials.