Chicago: Alinea

Pumpkin - curry, sage, coconut

Wine Pairing - Cocktail of Geoffroy Brut Luxardo Bitter and Pommeau de Normandie

Oyster Leaf - mignonette

King Crab - passionfruit, heart of palm, all spice

Mussel - saffron, chorizo, oregano

Razor Clam - carrot, soy, daikon

Wine Pairing - Barth 'Charta' Riesling, Rheingau 2008

Brook Trout - reflections of Steve Stallard

Pheasant - apple, shallot, burning leaves

Wine Pairing - Domaine Raymond Usseglio 'Rousanne Pur' Chateauneuf-de-Pape 2008

Wild Bass - caponata, mint, panella

Wine Pairing - Terre Nere 'Cuvee delle Vigne Niche' Etna Rosso 2009

Woolly Pig - fennel, orange, squid

Wild Mashrooms - pine, sumac, ramp

Wine Pairing- Lignier-Michelot Morey-Saint-Denis 'Aux Charmes' 2006

Hot Potato - cold potato, black truffle, butter

Venison - red cabbage, mustard, paprika

Wine Pairing - Prats & Syminton 'Chrysela', Douro 2007

Black Truffle - explosion, romaine, parmesan

Squab - Inspired by Miro

Wine Pairing - Valpolicella Classico Superiore 'TB' Bussola, Veneto 2006

Chestnut - veal heart, quince, root vegetables

Wine Pairing - The Rare Wine Co 'Boston Bual' Medeira

Snow - yuzu

Anjou Pear - jasmine, basil, balsamic

Wine Pairing - Casa de la Erminta 'Blanco Dulce' Jumilla 2009

Lemongrass - dragonfruit, thai basil, finger lime

Dark Chocolate - butternut squash, lingonberry, stout

Wine Pairing - Domaine Madeloc 'Robert Pages' Banyuls NV

Espresso

I arrived at Alinea exactly two years to the date from my previous meal in 2009. Coincidence? Maybe. I feel pretty lucky to dine here three times. Getting through the reservation line is not easy but each and every time I called, I had no problem getting a reservation. The key is patience and I hope luck is on my side the next time around.

So was it worth going for a third time? Definitely. The menu changes. There's always weird shit to see and experience. The weirder it is, the better. I never thought I would ever feel the same way as my first time minus the camera malfunctions. I was better prepared this time around, camera-wise, and the slightly deem lighting in the room didn't faze me. I did get annoyed by the couple sitting near me who were ill-prepared when shooting without flash. Plus they had the nerve to ask me to send them MY photos of the meal. I obviously ignored that request and left the restaurant before they could ask me for my email address.

Overall, I'll be back. Not this year but definitely next year.