Michael Jordan's One Sixty Blue is Back on the Radar

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

When I first moved to Chicago ten years a go, the hot spot to have cocktails and dinner was One Sixty Blue. It had decent food, a nice crowd and of course it was owned by Michael Jordan. Just the mention of MJ's association with the restaurant had folks pulling up to valet park their rides. However over time, like many other restaurants in the city, One Sixty Blue lost its luster. Most guests didn't perceive the concept as a once or twice a week place to dine, but as a special occasion place to have an expensive meal. Well fast forward a decade later, as the new Executive Chef Michael McDonald is attempting to change their image.

McDonald, a former Charlie Trotter restaurant Executive Chef, created a new menu that will allow his guests to think of One Sixty Blue often. Very often. In-fact, Michael the basketball player sampled Michael the chef's cuisine and gave the ultimate approval. No doubt that MJ's high regards of McDonald's creations made him feel like a champion also. He is attempting to blend vibrant seasonal flavors with modern traditions.

Signature dishes include Potato Leek Soup, Blue Crab Ravioli, Wagyu Short Rib, and Creamy White Grits. The menu has many "starter plates", "side plates" and "main plates" options, but the daily five-course tasting menu is a must. Appropriately titled "Dinner with Michael", Chef McDonald prepares an exceptional array of courses to suit your palate complete with wine pairings. He also prints and presents a copy of the five courses that were selected for you. A nice touch for guests, especially for those who often try to relay their dining experiences to friends.

Main plates are priced between $19 and $35, making it more affordable to dine versus previous years. One Sixty Blue has a nice wine selection and a specialty cocktail list that borders on traditional twists. Although they're located at the end of restaurant row in in the West Loop, their new menu could help diners remember that MJ's joint is still a gem.

One Sixty Blue is located at 1400 West Randoph St. Chicago, IL. (312) 850-0303. www.onesixtyblue.com

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, cuisine, dc crenshaw, executive chef michael mcdonald, fete select tv, michael jordan, one sixty blue, restaurant reviews, restaurant row, west randolph st

My Best Dining Experience Ever!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A month before my second wedding anniversary I was trying to decide what I would do for my wife. Of course our first year anniversary was special, but my goal was to make our second year just as memorable. My new Facebook friend, Pam Spritz, is a sassy, cute, and energetic mother and grandmother. Our connection came through the birth of my son Tru on August 5th and her granddaughter Sunney Lou on August 6th. Pam also has a son, Jordan, the founder and Executive Chef of Jordan's Food of Distinction (JFOD). He asked to cook for my wife and I on our anniversary and what followed was the best dining experience ever!

JFOD is in an unassuming location on Thomas St. near Ashland and W. Division St. The dining room and kitchen are open and connected. The room is intimate, homey, quaint and exudes food. I never imagined upon my arrival that such a modest spot would leave us with an incredible experience. We were their special guests for the evening. A table set for two complete with candles and a flower arrangement created by Pam that reflected my wife's wedding bouquet. Cocktails, wine, and champagne flowed steadily. A dining scene that heightened all of our senses. The eight courses prepared for us were stunning and included "Marinated Hawaiian Black Fin Tuna and Japanese Day Boat Hamachi", "Pan Roasted Diver Caught Scallops with Slow Poached Fresh Water Baby Rock Shrimp", "Crispy Soft Shell East Coast Whole Crab" and "Extra Virgin Oil Poached Artic Salmon". The dessert, "Candied Fresh Ginger and Warm Brazilian Mango", was ridiculously good.

Jordan customizes his cuisine to individuals. He actually interrogates his clients about their likes, dislikes, lifestyle etc. He wanted to know who we were, which allowed him to create and produce a menu that evening that hit home and provided a unique dining experience. His inspiration came from two famous Chefs, Charlie Trotter and Rocco Dispirito. Trotter taught him quality vs. quickness and Dispirito helped him to respect ingredients that come from farms.

JFOD is non traditional in their approach to dining. Although we had many courses, they don't matter here. It all depends on what the customer wants and likes. The more pickier the customer and the more challenging the task, the more excited Jordan becomes. For example, he once prepared a meal for a Japanese company that wanted 15 different dishes that represented the flavors of 15 different countries where they were located. The client has been a repeat customer ever since.

JFOD, on any given week, has artistic chefs from top Chicago restaurants such as Alinea, Trotter's, Moto, and NoMi that help out in the kitchen . Jordan wants his clients to feel that they had the perfect meal, at the perfect time, in the perfect place, during the perfect season. He wants his cuisine to reflect everything about life and the bubble that surrounds them at that moment. Everything that represents that meal.

JFOD can host up to 75 people for a cocktail party and 2 - 40 people for a sit down dinner. If you want a dining experience customized to your palate, then JFOD is a must try.

Jordan's Food of Distinction, 1551 Thomas Street, Chicago, IL. www.jfod.com (773) 278-8111

Labels: catering, charlie trotter, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, cuisine, dc crenshaw, farm food, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, jordan spritz, jordan's food of distinction, rocco dispirito

Jerry Kleiner & Marc Brooks Park 52 on Fete Select TV

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hyde Park was in need of an upscale restaurant, therefore Jerry Kleiner and Marc Brooks delivered. Park 52 is their creation of an upscale American bistro within the heart of Harper Ct. on the south side of Chicago. Check out our review of Park 52 on Fete Select TV and get an inside look at the cuisine, cocktails and vibe.

Fete Select TV

Labels: cocktails, cuisine, fete, fete select tv, hyde park, jerry kleiner, marc brooks, park 52, restaurants