Its no secret that we love our share of TV chefs. Lifestyle programs on television are our favorites on the small screen. So whenever we plan a trip, we try and research where we will be eating out. We try to pack it in with as many unique culinary experiences as we can fit in. Our recent Chicago trip was not different. While our lunch was at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, for dinner we had decided on Girl and The Goat. Yes, this is where the TV connect comes in. Chef Stephanie Izard is a former winner of the TV show Top Chef aired on Bravo TV.
Girl and The Goat opened its doors in 2010 and has become the 'IT' place to eat in Chicago. Situated in Randolph Street, the restaurant offers a menu which has varied international influences.
As we were in Chicago for work, we did not know exactly when we would be able to head to dinner. So a reservation was not possible. We grabbed a seat in the lounge area, as we had a sleeping baby with us, while we waited for our table. The bar and the lounge are first come first serve basis when it comes to seating. After almost half an hour and almost tumbling down the stairs to go to the restroom, we had a table. No, I was not drunk, it was just a bit too dark for a person who has prescription lenses.
Coming back to the seating arrangements. A single large table with accommodated three different groups. Honestly I have not shared tables in such a manner. It was different, lets say. Not exactly like the food court in mall, but somehow people were too close for comfort. Or maybe I was just grumpy for having busted my thumb, during my fall down the stairs. As the weather was pleasant, it was quite nice to patio dine. The marquee lights, the buzzing traffic and people on their pub crawl added to the ambiance. Made for a good people watching experience as we waited for our food.
The Menu was divided into Meat, Fish, Vegetarian, Bread and Oysters and a separate Goat Specials. As I trace my family roots from India, goat meat is very close to my culinary heart(if culinary heart is a valid expression). And its a protein I don't always come across when I am dinning out. So to see a restaurant devote a special menu, to just goat meat, was indeed special. It was a pity that the goat plates I wanted to sample, were already sold out.
Our server explained that two to three plates per person would be good, as their serving sizes were small. Me and my Husband love our tapas, but are also aware of how misleading such a suggestion could be. We decided to order two plates to begin with, as we were somehow not super hungry.
Our second plate or course was the fan favorite WOOD OVEN ROASTED PIG FACE. A slice of roasted pig face, with potato sticks, tamarind sauce, cilantro oil , red wine and maple reduction and sunny side egg. It was an interesting mix of flavors and textures to begin with. Our server explained that we should mash it all up and treat it like a breakfast hash. We attacked our dish and within minutes our plate was clean. I could have had a few more plates of it. While the prawns were no doubt good, it was this plate which made us realize why this place is the 'IT' Place. Chef Stephanie has raised the bar of cooking something like Pig face so high, that its difficult for other chefs to match it.
Our server came back to ask what our next course would be, and we decided to head to dessert. No we were not full by this time, but we wanted to sample the dessert menu. We went for the DARK POT DE CREME. It was Sesame Spuma, Ginger Caramel and Sesame Brittle. It was served in rather large tea cup which caught the fancy of our daughter. She loves Chocolate in her dessert. So we were not too sure how she would react to this mix of international flavors . She loved it and so did we. So much so that we ordered the same dessert again.
Now the question is whether I would go back to the restaurant. Well, I think I might. and this time maybe with a reservation, so I don't have to wait. Hopefully, I will get to sample some of the menu items I want to, without them being sold out. Despite my initial reservations, of how the seating arrangement was, I kinda liked it at the end. We landed chatting up with the other people in our table. The weather was clearly in our favor as patio dining was just the perfect choice. And I didn't get to meet Chef Stephanie, maybe next time around, I shall try and arrange an interview with her. Food Blogger Goals.
Website: http://girlandthegoat.com/
No comments