Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Bristol's Upcoming 'Chef Series' Spotlights the Talents of Celina Tio, Thomas Keller

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They've conveniently left out the price of how much it's going to cost for The Bristol's October Chef Series dinner with famed toque Thomas Keller (The French Laundry, Per Se), but if you get tickets to next week's special event, at least you'll be first in line. (Owner John Ross tells 312DD: "Unfortunately we don't have a price as we don't have a menu. We'd rather create menu and then price it. Not handcuff ourselves.")

That Chef Series goes down Sept. 12 and features Top Chef Master and James Beard award winner Celina Tio of Julian restaurant in Kansas City. She'll share the kitchen with Bristol exec chef Chris Pandel, and highlights of the five-course feast include chilled terrine of quail with foie gras, cherries, hazelnut butter and toast; house-smoked sausage with red cabbage, potato and caraway; and Madagascar bourbon hot chocolate with candied ginger cake doughnut. The dessert is paired with a Kentucky sour cocktail and Celina's Bourbon Sipper—the chef's personal bourbon.

Hard-Hat Tour of The Boarding House Uncovers Some Real Gems

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The Boarding House's Pork Tots & BBQ sauce, with pulled pork inside. (Photos: The Boarding House)

"I swear we weren't drinking when we came up with them!" exclaimed Alpana Singh about the much buzzed-about Pork Tots & BBQ sauce that's certain to be a hit when The Boarding House opens in mid-October.

She was talking to a roomful of food media types who had come out for a hard-hat tour Wednesday of the four-level venue focusing on global small plates, charcuterie, wine and craft cocktails.

Before the master sommelier/partner led the tour, she first gave us a little history about the building. Apparently it was an actual boarding house operated by women when it was built a couple of years after the Great Chicago Fire.

Here are several more interesting facts to note: