Ever in Chicago — October 2023
Written by Winnie Sun
Aug 30, 2024
New destinations, unforgettable flavours and memories, the heart and soul of what inspires us: Travelling and experiencing the world through food and beverages.
In October last year (2023), Chef Vish & I left service around midnight, drove to Seattle Tacoma for an early morning flight to Chicago, the only one that was fitting for our schedules at the time.
When we reached the US border, the agent asked us why we were heading to the airport. We responded, “We’re going to Chicago to eat.”
He was so perplexed, and clarified it a few more times, “You drove to Seattle at 2AM to fly to Chicago… To eat?”
“Yes”, we responded. “There is a restaurant that we want to try.”
Chef Vish had been following Chef Curtis Duffy’s inspirational career for a decade, and the first restaurant he wanted to go to when we decided to open Elem, was Ever in Chicago: Hospitality beyond our imagination, led by Oscar Rodriguez.
A tasting menu led by Chef Curtis Duffy, carried out by new CDC Lucas Trahan, showcasing the finest seasonal ingredients in Chicago on a crisp autumn evening.
The sleek, sophisticated dining room set the stage for a menu that reflects balance and harmony.
Highlights from Vish:
Hamachi with blue basil — “Stunning dish, perfect temperature, balance, complexity.”
Asparagus with trout — “Familiar, yet interesting.”
And to finish, a Belgian waffle lollipop — “To top off seriously what still stands to be one of the best meals of my life.”
The experience of the room, coupled with each memorable bite, paired delectably with wine, completed with a kitchen tour — The stage for The Bear. Chef Curtis Duffy’s spice jars from Grace. Chef Lucas Trahan’s bright smile. The gumball machine in the open kitchen.
And that’s what we do. We fly to cities when we can, to eat. To explore new flavours, ingredients, techniques, to find inspiration in different places. We have a thirst for culinary and beverage adventure. With each new destination, our horizons expand. We see the world as a tapestry of flavours; our travels inspire innovation, blending unexpected flavours and techniques.
Our food and beverages reflect a global culinary journey, reflecting memories of our travels.
