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Brass Heart – Fine Dining Chicago
Brass Heart is Chicago’s newest Fine Dining Restaurant. Taking the place of 42 Grams, the stellar Two-Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Chicago’s Uptown Neighborhood. We loved 42 Grams from jump, and I was personally surprised at its abrupt closing. You can Google more about that, but I refuse to support a chef with abusive tendencies, no matter how amazing the food is.
Brass Heart opened in late August and I’ve been looking forward to popping over for a while now. Deciding to pull the trigger before it becomes impossible to snag a reservation, I searched just four days ahead of time and found an early spot for two on a Saturday. While 17h30 is usually too early for me, I figured I would make an exception this time.
Unlike 42 Grams, which was fully BYOB (YES! A 2 Starred resto and BYO to boot), Brass Heart has a lovely cocktail and wine menu. While not outrageously extensive, it was very respectable and the prices are perfectly in line with the neighborhood and the City as a whole.
We arrived a few minutes before our reservation. The space is small, and without a proper separate bar, we didn’t want to crowd the space….although, the only people there when we arrived were also dining at 17h30. We were seated immediately upon arrival and were welcomed by several staff members.
When booking the reservation I selected the nine-course tasting menu, so our only real decision was beverages. We could do the wine pairings or select individual cocktails, glasses of wine or bottles. We obviously chose the pairings – we always do.
Full Nine Course Tasting Menu
Osetra Caviar, Pumpkin
Osetra Caviar, Pumpkin
Ham and Eggs
Ham and Eggs
Mulligatawny Soup – Ham and Egg Alternative
Duck, Apple, Black Walnut
Duck, Apple, Black Walnut
Brioche, Fried Chicken, Honey
Brioche, Fried Chicken, Honey
Rice and Beans
Rice and Beans
Duck Fat Halibut, Celery Root, Matsutake
A5 Kobe, Chanterelle, Pommes Souffle
Quince, Acorn Squash, Granola
Gateaux d’Epices, Paw Paw, Bourbon
Petit Fours
Petit Fours
The meal was stellar. We loved every part of our experience. The wine pairings were on point. There were a surprisingly large number of Oregon wines on the wine list, which we all know is the quickest way to my heart. The nine-course tasting menu is $125 per person, plus $75 for the wine pairings. While this isn’t a cheap night out, it’s cheaper than most other fine dining options in Chicago. My recommendation: Make reservations NOW while you can still get in!
Have you dined at Brass Heart? Did you dig the wine pairings? Which course was your favorite?
Singapore Sling at Raffles
The Raffles Hotel is colonial Singapore. Opened 1887, it has been the mainstay of imperial stature and architecture in the region. I love visiting classic hotels while traveling; especially when these hotels have famous cocktails like the Singapore Sling. I find the colonial hotels in southeast Asia really pique my interest. While the ideal of oppressive imperialism turns my stomach, the romanticized notion really gets me going. Living in relative luxury, overseeing your “enterprise” – and in this scenario, “your enterprise” is the pillaging of the land and the enslavement of the people. But I digress.
A major renovation has closed the Raffles Hotel. It is slated to reopen again in the first half of 2019. Obviously that didn’t work for me. I was fortunate enough that the fine Raffles folks opened a PopUp Shop next to their hotel. Of course I had to stop by.
The Long Bar PopUp in Singapore
The PopUp
The PopUp has a limited menu, consisting of only five items, two of which are alcohol-free. The Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel is known for the Singapore Sling, which they invented. This cocktail cost 31SGD or 22USD, which is outrageously expensive for this cocktail. I still ordered it, but I didn’t order a water as the tiny bottles were 14SGD OR $10USD. I’m usually not a cheapskate, but these prices are extreme.
Limited menu at the Long Bar PopUp in Singapore
A refreshing Singapore Sling. Expensive but amazing.
The Original Singapore Sling was phenomenal, despite the crippling price. I debated on ordering a second but, after working all day on Tuesday, traveling 23.5 hours, sleeping a bit and having a full first night ahead of me, I decided to stick to just one Original Singapore Sling.
Singapore Sling Advertisement
I enjoyed the cocktail and when / if I am back in Singapore, I will grab another one at the proper bar in the renovated hotel.
Do you like hitting up classic hotels and trying their famous cocktails? Have you visited Raffles before? Aren’t these prices nuts?
Band of Bohemia – Summer Tasting Menu
We are so fortunate to have the world’s first and only Michelin Starred Brew Pub just meters from our home. Band of Bohemia opened in 2016 in the Ravesnwood neighborhood on the northside of Chicago. While it did receive (and has kept) their single Star, don’t think that makes this place stuffy or reserved for only special occasions. I find myself popping over for a drink on the way home quite regularly.
They are a proper brew pub that produces their own beers which are paired perfectly with the food offerings, but they’ve also got a great cocktail crew who rotates some great seasonal offerings while retaining the basic skills needed to make any drink your heart desires. Their wine team is also on point pairing an eclectic selection with their fare. I’ve had a couple great dry Austrian selections recently here too.
And for those of you who need a great cup of coffee, they’ve even got a coffee sommelier. I’m not a coffee guy at all, but the coffee somm is a really great guy who can talk about the wines, spirits and coffee all day. I love bellying up to the coffee bar and getting cocktails after work.
We hosted some friends a bit ago and wanted to show off this neighborhood gem. Snagging a Friday night reservation was a bit tough considering I didn’t plan too far ahead. A quick email directly to the resto, not through their booking app netted me my coveted spot. Never think that 1) The availability outlined in the booking apps are always accurate and 2) Don’t underestimate the value of being a regular patron.
We opted to indulge in the current tasting menu plus the house made beer pairings. The five course menu was full of seasonal perfection.
Scallop Crudo Grilled Strawberries, Black Garlic, Pinenut Granola
Caramelle Pasta Asparagus,Ppink Peppercorn, Helper Knolle Cheese
Eggplant Naan Old Bay Aioli, Naan Bread, Mint, Radish
Lamb Saddle Fava Beans, Lamb Bacon, Panisse, Petite Greens
Final Bites
I completely forgot to snap a picture of the main dessert, but I’m not a big dessert guy and I really enjoyed the Thai Lime Pie. Swing by just for That!
My favorite course actually was the Carmelle Pasta. The asparagus was so light and spring refreshing inside an amazingly delicate pasta. I really wanted a large (family sized???) portion. Maybe next time.
A closeup on my favorite course this season – Caramelle Pasta
Band of Bohemia occupies an old warehouse space on Ravenswood Avenue. The expertly renovated space is curated with classic furniture and design elements. It is such a welcoming space, I just love popping over for a quick one after work and relaxing with the amazing staff and a splendid cocktail. It feels strange(ly wonderful) for your local pub to be Mechelin rated.
Have you dined at Band of Bohemia before? What is your favorite local brew pub?