Chicago - Stars! (both the Michelin and the Broadway kind)

There are only three cities in the US that have been graced with a Michelin guide.  Chicago is one of them.  Naturally, this means that Saturday night found Amanda and me seated in the swanky downtown dining room -- complete with snowy tablecloths and witch-hazel stick arrangements -- of the Michelin-starred and James Beard award-winning restaurant NAHA.

We had theatre tickets for later in the evening, so we weren't able to get the tasting menu. "Eight to ten courses," explained our waitress, "it'll take at least two-and-a-half hours." To which we replied, "Why couldn't you have opened at 4:30pm so we could do that and go to the theatre?"  Sigh.

Everything on the menu was enticing, and when our orders came we knew we were in the right place.  There's just something special about extra fine dining that makes everything right with the world.
 

Bread with cherries and fennel seeds.

Harvested Scallops from Barnegat Light, Roasted Jerusalem Artichokes,
Beluga Lentils, Granny Smith Apple and Hazelnut

Filet of Beef Tenderloin enrobed in Sofia Ashed Goat Cheese with Potato Mousseline,
Oyster Mushrooms, Grey Shallots, Horseradish and Thyme

“Gateau Basque” Custard Cake, Olive Oil Ice Cream, Bartlett Pears, Soft Polenta, Pomegranate

After dinner we made our way to the Oriental Theatre to see the new Broadway-bound musical Big Fish, which is based on the movie of the same name.  It was fun enough, though not what I'd call great.  There were some high-profile actors (including Norbert Leo Butz, a Tony Award-winning star in his own right) and some clever theatrical effects.  But some of the songs were boring and none of the tunes catchy enough to leave you humming them on your way out of the theatre.
 

 

On the way to the theatre, Amanda and I had had the foresight to stop at a chocolate shop to pick up a box of fancy truffles.  Chocolate party in the hotel room!