How odd. I too made a note to check today & they had....shelf stable in the little bags clipped to the hanger. Jarred julienne cut packed in oil. I didn't notice the halves packed in oil this time. I would ask the store manager what's up. They take customer feedback seriously.

Inovasi, in Lake Bluff, IL.
https://inovasi.us/
They don't put a price for it on their website, which is why I can't remember, but it's under $100 for sure. It may go over $100 with the wine pairing.

We've taken my in-laws, who are in their late 70's and like nice restaurants, but have the typical generational aversion to "weird" ingredients, to places like Girl and the Goat, and there were only limited menu items they'd try. So it's not worth the money. We're taking them to Inovasi for a birthday next month, because they'll get a similar experience, but will enjoy whatever course is served, and we won't worry about wasting money!

Thanks, unfortunately, Lake Bluff is just too far of a schlep from West Loop to go for dinner when I'm in Chicago.

I'm probably closer in age to your in-laws than to you; however, I love G&TG, both in West Loop and the Arts District in Los Angeles; the Chicago location is walking distance from my daughter's place.

Other favorite Chicago restaurants, in no particular order, are Monteverde, Kasama, Sepia, Gaijin, Alla Vita, Purple Pig, Parachute, Elske, Lula Cafe and Galit. To the best of my recollection, Sepia and Kasama are the only two of those that exclusively serve tasting menus, at least at dinner time. We've had great tasting menus at Smith and Oriole, however, those are considerably more expensive than the rest. Alinea was a disappointment and, in my opinion, is way overrated.

I've been to about half of those, and agree no way I'd have driven to Lake Bluff when I lived in the city! Even if it were awesome, there are many more options in the West Loop. Galit opened just before we moved out to the burbs. Couldn't ever get a reservation, and then we moved. Have to remember it's there next time I'm in the area. The place that might be worth a drive though is George Trois, in Winnetka. It's a small dining room off to the side of Aboyer, same chef and owner. I can't remember, but maybe fewer than 10 tables? Very intimate and personal experience, but it's a special occasion place, where you make an evening of it.

I just realized that I left out Avec and Avec Bar, and the Loyalist out of my list of favorites. I should be in Chicago towards the end of August, in addition to going back to one or more of those that I had listed, I'll probably try a few new places; Joe Flamm's Rose Marie is on my radar.

Mine too! We had such wonderful food in Croatia a few years ago that I was excited to see this open. The menu leans more toward Italian, but there are enough Croatian-style dishes on here (especially the octopus) to make it really interesting.

Well, he was the executive chef at Spiaggia before it closed and he went on his own.

I just realized that I misspelled the name of the restaurant, it's Rose Mary.

We're at opposite ends of the country. What sells in SoCal isn't necessarily the same as what sells in PA.

I don't think of sun dried tomatoes as exotic so I would still ask the manager. TJ carries many specialty items. No large grocery stores carry them either?

Interesting thread........I just spent 4 days in a resort town and every restaurant had 4-5 identical menu items without fail.

I don't know where you were, but let me guess...one of those items was a "flatbread"? I'm not sure if that's the most inoffensive food these tourist towns can come up with (besides the obligatory burger), but they must think so. At this point, if I see a flatbread section on a menu I instinctively pass right over it.

How about a flatbread burger?

David

LOL...I'm sure we've all seen a "cheeseburger flatbread" on a menu somewhere!

So I asked the manager at a local upscale market about sun-dried tomatoes.

"We haven't carried those since the '90's"

We had a good laugh over that.

I shoulda made one or more at the reception:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...deb9f293d2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21702c6bad.jpg

David