We had the opportunity to experience three hours of amazing food and strangers becoming friends after saying “hello”. The chef took selfies and shared some of his background with us, great music, and more that I just can’t wait to tell you about.
We were super excited about going to this Restaurant, and it did not disappointed us. EL Ideas Chicago is a restaurant located about 10 minutes from downtown, a bit southwest of Chicago’s loop at Douglas Park. Be aware that the building bears no markings besides its number, which made me feel like we were just going to a friends or a family gathering and actually that’s exactly how we felt after leaving.
We walked in and we were greeted by a floor man and a host. Behind them the Chef, Phillip Foss, who introduced himself and his small team. We sat next to the window, opened the Champagne right away and left the Red Wine for later – It’s a BYOB restaurant (Bring Your Own Bottle)… can it feel more like Home? After a few minutes Phillip took the floor and invited all guests to be part of his journey,
It was like we were part of a story, that was about to start. No walls dividing guests from the kitchen. Lit and warming environment surrounded by brick walls, 9 or 10 tables (all full and it was a Tuesday night!). He gave us some directions, said Happy B day to me and congratulated a couple who were celebrating their 64 anniversary. He said a few other words and let the party start.
We did not know what was coming, we only had high expectations. When we made the reservation they asked for any food allergies, and we told them that I was allergic to red meat. As soon as we arrived they were aware of it, and asked me more questions to make sure everything they had was OK. Even though it was a 14 course dishes for everybody, only one or two changes were made to mine, which was awesome.
First dish: Caviar, Ghost Pepper, Finger Lime, Cotija, and Corn.
When presenting this dish Phillip said no utensils needed, you just have to “lick” off the plate, and so the adventure began. We never expected that, I am not going to lie, I was a little scared, but it turned out to be fun and delightful.
Among those 14 dishes, there was one with an anchovy. I don’t know about you guys, but we are not anchovies biggest fans, but the combination of flavors like lemon, parsley, caper leaf and cauliflower, was so assertive that we forgot the dish had one. I’m crazy about Hamachi, this dish was so fresh, so delicious, so everything. He combined matsutake, honeydew, yes honeydew, a little tapioca, some sea beans with Hamachi, the texture, the flavor, it was just perfect.
This one was one of my favorites, it came on a crystal Ice Cream long cup with something white in the inside. As I mentioned before, Phillip or any of his team crew presented all the dishes, after explaining what it was (French fries and Ice cream), he said wait until I count to three to insert your spoon all the way to the bottom of the cup. And so we did… best way to describe it would be, a volcano erupting, my face was hilarious, and the taste was just made from heaven.
I can keep telling you about every dish we had, but it will never be enough words to describe the experience, I invite you to give it a try and book yourself a table, it’s OK you can thank me later.
Chicago has the most interesting food, some people call it the Food Capital of USA, and EL Ideas gives you enough reasons to think that. A Michelin Star restaurant that gives you a story to tell and share with other people. A restaurant where the interaction between the chef, the crew members and the guests is mandatory. A restaurant that makes you want to come back and you haven’t even finished the third dish. I’m originally from Venezuela, every time we have a friends or family get together, we usually all end up in the kitchen. We have the whole house, but no, we like the kitchen, all there together, laughing, talking, drinking, dancing, you name it, and for me El Ideas brought back some of those great memories I have from home.
Best birthday gift ever with the best company I could possibly ask for.
Any Klisans says
I WANT TO GO SO BADLY NOW!!!!!!
Marynelly says
Any … It os really really goodddd !