One Sister Underground Dinner

Quesadilla
bubble tea

Salad Sponge
Honeys, goat milk, homegrown



Tomatoes
manchego-edamame, nasturtium, spice cubes



Hanging
Smoked watermelon, roe



Pierogi
Potato, truffle, homemade cheese



Shrimp Carpaccio
almonds, peaches, herbs



Your Hand
(Prosciutto and Scallop -- eaten off your hand)



Oyster Centerpiece
Foraged items



Corn Chowder
encapsulated, clam, pork belly



Farm and Garden
Pork, veggies



1 Pill Makes You Larger and 1 Pill Makes You Small
Mushroom Tea



Shrimp Scampi
noodle

Oatmeal Dashi
chia seeds
("It's like Ihop in a cup." Graham)

Hand-cut Pasta
duck, raspberry



Ice Cream Cone



Lamb Prosciutto
fennel, lemon, corned leg



Veal Cheeks
hot mustard, granola, cherries



Custard
zucchini, honey dew, banana pepper



Chocolate Balls
blueberries, eggs, gruyere

Wow, right? Yesterday afternoon, after two soccer games, we drove to Oak Park to meet up with five other couples and go out to one of the best dinners I've ever had. We seem to be having a lot of those this year, I know. But really, this was an experience like no other. For one, it was an underground dinner. Meaning, we went over to the chef's house. Back in July, Alma wrote about the best dinner ever. Well, that's all it took to get Melissa's head spinning. She organized an incredible group of friends so we could take over Chef Iliana Regan's dining room. The Chef is a forager and farmer, and many of the dishes featured items she grew or found. I'm still amazed we ate mushrooms from a forest in Chicago. The dishes were innovative and delicious. Eating in someone's apartment was surprisingly comfortable. And since we knew everyone, it was like having a dinner party but not cooking for it. Interacting with the chef to find out about the dishes and thought process was intriguing. It really, truly, was an incredible experience. We are so lucky to have gotten to experience it.

(My photos sadly do not do the dishes justice -- especially towards the end of the evening after several wine parings. Please visit the One Sister site for some really nice shots.)