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Restaurant Week

Recap: Chicago Restaurant Week 2014

This marks the end of my second year of Chicago Restaurant Week coverage. I’m happy to report that I enjoyed eight meals between January 24 and February 6 that were part of the annual dining promotion – and yes, that’s one more than in 2013, because that’s how I am.

Here are all of this year’s posts, listed below in chronological order.

Beef stroganoff with mustard spaetzle, mushroom, and peppered cream Graham Elliot Bistro
Spicy Moroccan carrot salad with Greek yogurt, ginger, lime, and grilled scallions, inspired by Alice Waters Ada Street
Gooey butter cake and The Travel Agent dessert cocktail, with CH vanilla-infused rum, limoncello, lemon, and peychaud’s bitters CH Distillery
Braised pork shank “off the bone” and carnaroli risotto with squash, caramelized onions, and wilted kale Naha
Bread basket with assorted breads, house pickles, honey butter, and tomato-herb oil Homestead on the Roof
Red apple orchard sangria (shiraz, brandy, apple	juice, and cinnamon sticks) at our fireside table ZED451
Prime beef meatballs RPM Italian
Steak frites with sauce au poivre Mon Ami Gabi

For even more Restaurant Week, view last year’s recap, or browse all coverage.

Categories
Chicago Restaurant Week

Restaurant Week 2014: Mon Ami Gabi

This is part of a series of posts about Chicago Restaurant Week 2014, held January 24–February 6. Check out the 2013 recap, or browse all Restaurant Week coverage.

Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi

Steak frites with sauce au poivre
Steak frites with sauce au poivre

Best Bite: When it comes to French bistro fare, steak frites is about as classic as it gets, and this version was transportive. The well-seasoned steak was a tender medium-rare, the frites were especially crispy, and the peppery sauce was rich with just enough creaminess. The mini dessert trio was just as well executed, though; and I was certainly relieved to not have to choose between mousse and crème brûlée. See full menu.

Dessert trio with chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, and meyer lemon sorbet
Dessert trio with chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, and meyer lemon sorbet

Other notes: The oven-roasted escargots were an indulgent start to the meal, but perhaps even better was dipping pieces of our still-hot baguette into the leftover garlic-herb butter. I couldn’t let those remnants go to waste! The cozy bistro environs were perfect for discussing exciting upcoming travel plans with two girlfriends, especially over a food-friendly Côtes du Rhône red.

Piping hot baguette to start the meal
Piping hot baguette to start the meal

The details: Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago.

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