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

City Provisions Supper Club Farm Dinner

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Cleetus Friedman, owner of City Provisions Catering and Events, has put together an exciting event to educate, enlighten and entertain his guests.

Joined by Two Brothers' Brewery from Warrenville, Illinois and Faith's Farms of Bonfield, Illinois, the Farm Dinner is designed to help guests gain a better perspective on the origins of their food, the farming process, and how this all gets incorporated into the dining experience.

At 2 p.m. guests will meet at City Provisions (1820 West Wilson, Chicago , Illinois ) and board a chartered bus to Faith's Farms with arrival scheduled at around 4 p.m..

The experience will comprise of a five course meal with meat raised at Faith's Farm, paired with beers by Two Brothers and will also include a hayride tour of Faith's Farm, courtesy of farmer Kim Snyder. Jim Ebel, brewmaster at Two Brothers, will be on hand to discuss the brewing process and speak about the beers.

The Farm Dinner
Saturday October 18, 2008
RSVP to Brenda Uraski at 773-293-CITY (2489)
www.cityprovisions.com

Labels: chicago dining, chicago events, city provisions, cleetus friedman, D.C. Crenshaw, dinner, farm food, fete chicago, fete select, fete select tv, organic food, supper club

City Provisions Farm Dinner

Thursday, July 24, 2008

City Provisions Farm Dinner
July 26th - Reserve Now!


SPACE IS LIMITED, CALL TODAY
Featuring Two Brothers Brewery, Dupage County and Faith'sFarm, Bonfield, Illinois

Saturday July 26, 2008
The day will begin at noon by meeting at City Provisions, where you will board a chartered bus, furnished with "educational props," as you learn about the Two Brothers' brewing process. They will also discuss their Process, Mission, and transition into their belief in supporting local farms.

Upon arrival at Faith's Farm, Kim Snyder will give a history of the farm, along with a tour of her sustainable wonderland. They will end the day with an educational dinner and beer pairings.

Dinner will feature Two Brothers beers - with history and descriptions by Jim Ebel - while the menu will celebrate different regions of BBQ throughout our country, utilizing the provisions from Faith's Farm - a pork-heavy tasting, mind you.

Artist, Melissa Monore, will be making plates and serving platters specifically for the event. You will have the option of purchasing her work at the end of the dinner.

This is an extremely casual event. In fact, you will be walking around on a farm, so prepare accordingly. You may want to bring bug spray, a hoodie, and a camera - along with a tremendous appetite.

The Farm Dinner includes round trip transportation from City Provisions to Faith's Farm, the farm tour, dinner with beer pairings, and other bonuses. Cost is $125 per person. Reservations are required as they are limited to the amount of seats on the bus. Cancellations within 72 hours of the event will be charged in full.

Beer will be donated by Two Brothers Brewery.

Reservations are being accepted today at 773.235.CITY (2489) or email at info(at) www.cityprovisions.com.

Join us for Chicago's Greatest Supper Club

Labels: catering, chicago, city provisions, dc crenshaw, farm food, fete, fete select, fete select tv, fine dining, fresh, organic