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May 16, 2005Panna Cotta ParadiseLast night I dined at Osteria via Stato. Incredible! Chefs Rick Tramonto (Tru) and David Di Gregorio (Maggiano's) are gourmet geniuses. The concept is a three-course prix fixe menu, but really, it's more of a feast. As soon as you sit down, waiters appear on all sides offering gravlax, antipasto, crusty bread, caramelized rosemary onions, a napa cabbage garbanzo salad that was perfect on the palate, olives, oh my! All you had to do was blink, and the waiters came back to refill the plates. An entire buffet of nummies. Following the "appetizer," in true Italian fashion, was the first course. Two pastas, one was an artichoke orichette (as light as the alliteration), the other a ragu with flat noodles. Then, the second course. *blissful sigh* I had a melt-in-your-mouth braised short rib (boneless) nestled on a bed of parsnip mash. More sides appeared from nowhere...locally grown asparagus and roasted potatoes. I had to force myself to stop eating halfway in order to preserve some of my abdomial space for dessert. The way the food was coming out, I knew I had to sample from the dessert menu. I had a strawberry panna cotta, which sounds so simple, but was simply divine. I always think that "divine" is an overused adjective when describing dessert, but this truly deserved the title. The panna cotta was so light and smooth, and caught the sweet strawberries just so, every bite was paradise. If I could've, I would've ordered another one. But alas, the boundaries of my tummy failed me. The wine list was extensive, which bumped the restaurant to the top of my list, however, the prices were also surprisingly in reach for a Chicago restaurant. I had a Monica di Sardegna, which had a heavy nose, but went down light and smooth. Will have to learn more about the varietal. For $7, I was expecting a mediocre glass of wine, instead I get a beautiful decanter of ruby red that must've refilled my glass three times. Total bill, drinks, dinner and dessert (the "D" trinity), including tip, was $130. That, my friend, is money and a day well-spent.
Posted by carolyn at May 16, 2005 10:55 PM CommentsGo C!!! Did you just make up the "D Trinity?" Posted by: Brady at May 16, 2005 08:40 PM Sure, I'll say I invented the term, but certainly not the experience. Had the leftovers for dinner, heated per the instructions stickered on my doggie bag, and oh geesh, the braised short rib and potatoes held so well! I forgot to mention how the short rib gave just right to pressure. That is the way to test the "doneness" of meat, stick your finger in it to see if it bounces, and my God, did that baby bounce! Even after getting reheated for dinner tonight. :) Highly recommended, even if you can only get your hands on leftovers. Posted by: Carolyn at May 16, 2005 10:07 PM I assume there are no more leftovers. :( Posted by: Brady at May 21, 2005 10:13 AM Post a comment |
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