Smyth and Loyalist

Posted by Scott Dresen Sunday, April 14, 2019 9:02 PM 0 comments

Website

Location
177 North Ada Street,
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 913-3773

The name "Smyth" is an homage to the depth and richness of John Shields and Karen Urie Shields’ five wonderful years in the farmlands of Smyth County, Virginia, where they expanded their knowledge and vision and found their voice. They bring this sensibility back to their Chicago culinary roots to create thoughtful dishes from pristine products — dishes that are imaginative, yet humble and grounded.

Change is a big part of what makes Smyth different from other tasting menu restaurants. Not just seasonally or weekly but on a daily basis with subtle changes often occurring mid-service. (Listen closely and you might hear John say, “Omaha!” as a reference to quarterback Peyton Manning and code to his chefs he’s changing a dish.) The food carefully walks that fine line between providing something new while also bringing a sense of the familiar.

The restaurant’s informal atmosphere features an open kitchen surrounded by intimate tables and a cozy living room-style lounge. From the warm greeting you receive upon entering until your final goodbye, we invite you to feel at home.

Cindee and I had the "Omaha" dinner.  Atmosphere was fabulous, staff were engaging and funny, great music, great view of the kitchen, overall a fantastic experience.  Highly recommended!


First Course
Capital Oyster, Green Strawberries & Cream
Pairing: NV Charles Heidsieck 'Brut Reserve'; Reims




Second Course
Uni Glazed in Egg Yolk & Habanada Peppers



Third Course
Pickled Shima Aji & Sweet Barley with Nasturtium
Pairing: Ichinokura 'Kura No Hana' Junmai Daiginjo, Miyagi

 



Fourth Course
Shima Aji Ribs Barbecued Over Spruce



Fifth Course
Kohlrabi, Seaweed & Country Ham (Not PIctured)
Pairing: 2015 Ingrid Groiss 'Pankraz' Reserve, Weinviertel



Sixth Course
White Asparagus with Dungeness Crab
Pairing: 2014 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Grosses Gewachs Josephshofer, Mosel



Seventh Course
Dungeness Crab with Rhubarb Root





Eighth Course
Carmalized Halibut with Yeast & Guinea Hen Jus
Pairing: 2007 Lagar De Besada 'Anada De Baladina', Rias Baixas




Ninth Course
Spot Prawn with Shiitake & Rhubarb



Tenth Course
Coal Roasted Wagyu



Eleventh Course
Beets 'Royale' & Caviar
Pairing: 2013 Bruno Clair 'Les Champs Perdrix', Vosne Romanee





Twelfth Course
Lamb with Sweet Annie & Blackened Malt



Thirteenth Course
Lacquered Squab, Quince, Black Truffle & Rosehip
Pairing: 2012 Cordero Di Montezemolo 'Enrico VI', Barolo






Fourteenth Course
Milk Chocolate, Raspberry Preserves & Shiitake Mushrooms



Fifteenth Course
Farm Milk Ice Cream, Maple Syrup & Chickweed
Pairing: 1975 Chateau Riveyrac 'La Cuvee Des Aigles', Rivesaltes




Sixteenth Course
Green Almonds with Plum Pit Kombucha & Lemongrass
Pairing: 2017 Kracher Beerenauslese, Austria




Seventeeth Course
Kombu Ice Cream Sandwich
Seaweed Caramel Tart
Dried Sweet Corn & Sour Squash Curd





Digestifs
Crema Earl Grey, Anhui, China
Suntory Hibiki "Japanese Harmony" Blended Whiskey, Japan



Ichinokura Sake

Posted by Scott Dresen 7:08 PM 0 comments


Ichinokura Junmai
Daiginjo Kuranohana Sake

Ichinokura was established in 1973, by combining four breweries into one, each of which had a 100 to 300 year history in Miyagi prefecture. The brewery was founded with the purpose of brewing the best quality sake as well as promoting agriculture and revitalizing the region through the cooperation of the brewing industry.  The brand, Ichinokura "ace brewery" expresses the wish to become the #1 brewery by combining four of them into one. The main brewery is in Matsuyama-cho, a gorge in deep forest with clean, fresh air, blessed with abundant underground water and rice - ideal elements for sake brewing.

IWC Gold Medal winner, this Junmai Daiginjo was painstakingly brewed using Kuranohana rice. It has a mellow nose, splash of citrus lime, stone fruits with underlying rice and powder notes. Sweet first impression. Excellent palate structure and good interplay of acidity. It has a distinctive flavour which possesses both elegance and depth you will be sure to enjoy.


Suntory Hibiki

Posted by Scott Dresen 6:43 PM 0 comments

HIBIKI JAPANESE HARMONY
"Kanzen" or complete, Hibiki Whisky is a harmonious blend of innumerous malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas. Seductive, blossoming and enigmatic, Hibiki Whisky celebrates an unrivaled art of blending, fine craftsmanship and a sense of luxury from the House of Suntory.

Hibiki was launched in 1989 to commemorate Suntory’s 90th anniversary, and has ever since been embraced as the paragon of The Art of Japanese Whisky, the very product of Japanese nature and her people. Hibiki Whisky is not only Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky, but among the most prestigious and honoured whiskies in the world.

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