The Gluttonous Gourmet: Nomi: Chicago, IL, February 28, 2009

Exactly one year ago, Andrew and I met at the Whitehall. After we had drinks with our respective families, the Yen's took them to Nomi. Exactly one year later, he brought me back for Restaurant Week. At the top of the Park Hyatt off of Michigan Avenue, we had a decent view. I must say, Restaurant Week is quickly becoming one of my most favorite weeks. Great tastings for incredibly reasonable prices- who could ask for more?

NoMI's executive chef Christophe David was named a James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2009. It also has been consistently named at the Top of America's Restaurants in the Zagat Guide.

Chicago Restaurant Week February 20 - March 6

NoMI will offer a three-course pre-fixe lunch menu$22, excludes beverages, tax and gratuity

First Course

*Pumpkin and Coconut SoupPreserved Ginger,

*Coriander Chicken and Apple Soup: Leeks, Calvados, Truffle Oil

*Miso SoupTraditional Garnishes

Main Course

*Catch of the Day: Chef's Market Choice, Yukon Gold Potato Purée Wilted Spinach,

Sauce Vierge

*Yukon Gold Potato Gnocchi Brown Butter, Black Trumpets, Butter, Sage, Tallegio Fondue

*Peekytoe Crab CakesWhole Grain Mustard, Fennel, Saffron-Curry Rouille

*Sushi Platter Chef's Selection Sushi and Sashimi

Dessert

*Seasonal Sorbets:Spiced Pear, Tropical Fruit, Chocolate, Crème Fraiche

*Chocolate Caramel Brownie Macaron: Caramel Ice Cream, Brownie Fragments

*Carrot Cake:Fromage Blanc Mousse, Caramelized Walnuts, Maple Orange Sauce

*Pistachio Nougat Tart: Filled with Jam and Berry Coulis

This medley of salts and peppers greeted us on the table. A whimsical presentation, we tried each one with our warm sourdough bread that was served. My favorite was the black Hawaiian sea salt that had great flavoring.

I ordered the Pumpkin and Coconut Soup which was served with a wheatberry salad. The soup was thick and hearty, with strong flavors and was a better complement to the wheatberry salad which was refreshing with dried cherries and apricots.

Andrew ordered the coriander and chicken apple soup which was a very light and brothy soup with more subtle flavors. Good, but overpowered by the wheatberry salad served alongside.

For the main course, I got a striped sea bass with sauteed spinach and yukon gold potatoes. The potatoes had a great flavor- you could tell they were homemade and strained through a mesh strainer to get its creamy consistency. The seabass wasn't bad, but had more flavor when paired with the spinach and potato. A relatively classic trio, but well executed. I didn't really care for that seeded pepper thing on the top though.

Andrew ordered the Peekytoe Crab Cakes which weren't bad but had a really strong curry flavor. Overall, the portions were good and as I've said before, Restaurant week is a fantastic deal if you get a restaurant with normal sized portions.

For dessert, I ordered the chocolate macaron which was incredibly messy and difficult to eat. The caramel ice cream and brownie bits were decadent, but it's one dish where I wish I could have just used my hands... ;)