Originally Posted by
chgoeditor
Interesting, I agree that Vegan was a bust, but I thought they did a fantastic job with The Hunt and spectacular job with Kyoto. I didn't got to Thailand, but most reports indicated it was fine but there are any number of great Thai restaurants in Chicago where you could get as good of a meal--if not better--for much less money. Given that Chicago is lacking for Modern Chinese restaurants, I'd be surprised if you'd hear that complaint. (And having been to Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, I'll be curious to see how Chinese: Modern compares.)
Chicago Steak is the least interesting to me, simply because I'm not a huge red meat eater. I read that description and just know that I'm going to be doubled over with a stomach ache at about 2 am if I eat all that they describe. If a friend offered to buy that table off of me, it would make my season renewal decision easier.
Have you been to Bocuse d'Or yet? My reservation is later this week.
Kyoto was my favorite menu (I did not have the first three), and one of the better meals I've ever had. I loved El Bulli and thought Sicily was great but too filling.
I thought the Hunt was a great concept, but they just didn't take it far enough. It felt just OK, and following that up with Vegan made me question whether I would renew next year.
Vegan was just bad, which is too bad because it had such potential to be amazing. Someone there apparently decided to make everything mouth destroyingly sour. My taste buds were burned 2/3s of the way through the meal. I would have been fine with that if they were burned from spice, which seemed to be absent from just about everything.
I went to Bocuse about a month ago and thought it was good, but a few courses felt like they were tainted with the same "pickled" concept that ruined Vegan. It was good enough to justy renewing next year, and I'm hoping that all three menus next year are at least as good.
Notably, all of these menus got the highest review from Phil Vettel. I'm moving to Chicago next month and will have to remember to ignore his future reviews.