Yeah, Eleven Madison Park and Alinea did a restaurant swap for a week...sounded like an interesting event and I heard reports from a few people who ate at both places during the experiment.

I was at a party at Next and Aviary (Grant Achatz's other places) back in April when they were unveiling their beer collaboration with Evil Twin Brewing. In a room full of people who were clearly adoring fans, he spent much of the night standing alone, a bit awkwardly, in a corner. My friends and I eventually engaged him and I can't remember what we said, but he even brought his girlfriend over to meet us. I think he's probably a bit of the socially awkward genius archetype.

I have reservations for Next's homage to the Bocuse d' Or in late November...if one of my table mates falls through I'd love to have you join us. But otherwise Chicago has so many fantastic restaurants--many serving spectacular food in very down-to-earth settings. You don't have to drop $400 per person on a meal to eat something that's rave-worthy!

Hmm...may have to look at my November calendar! And, you did say you'd never been to Chicago in some thread talking about racism in different parts of the country.