A Change of Eatery

Well, Trumbull Kitchen has done it again.

I stopped in last Monday for a Goose Island beer sampling and multi-course tapas dinner. Apart from the delightful Chicago craft beers (and generous pours!), I need to pour my heart out about the food for a moment. Truly, one of the best meals AND deals in recent memory – at just $25.

We started with a small plate consumed by a huge, rich bay scallop in the shell with sweet, tart blood orange and fennel salad dressed in tangy citron mignonette. A total delight, paired with Sofie, a tart, dry Belgian farmhouse ale.

The next course almost caused me to sensually, disturbingly lick the last morsels off my plate. Lamb with sumac, pickled ramps (wild leeks) and mint lebna, paired with Matilda, a slightly spicy, fruity Belgian pale ale.

We followed up with some of the sweetest, smokiest pork ribs with molasses barbecue sauce, a sprinkling of cashew tidbits and parsley dust. I know it’s trite to say “fall-off-the-bone” but that’s exactly what happened. Extra omnom for THAT. Paired brilliantly with a hoppy hoppity IPA.

The last course…well, I can barely write about it. It’s the reason Nick and I were interested (understatement) in attending this dinner in the first place (we were actually the first people to make reservations– I don’t know if that’s admirable or gluttonously embarrassing). Foie gras doughnuts with blackberry compote and black pepper powdered sugar. Absolutely freakin DIVINE . The chef mixed the foie gras with vanilla custard for the richest, butteriest treat I’ve perhaps ever enjoyed. O, foie gras, the brilliant forms you take! (Oh, and the dark, slightly peppery Pepe Nero brew pairing was 100% right ON).

Anyway, as always, I love Trumbull Kitchen. For happy hour tapas, a full meal, or a special prix fixe dinner. They rock it all. Hard.

And now I’m a newly converted fan of Goose Island brews, so that’s a big plus. They’re taking CT by storm these days – and other restaurants are hopping on board with Goose Island dinners, tastings and tap specials. Eli Cannon, Wood-N-Tap and Plan B have special events/deals up their sleeves as well – check out the deets on the CT Beer Trail site!