That’s good to know. It’s probably been four or five years since I have been to either. So I guess I need to make an effort to check out Smyth again.
Smyth is way different than it was 5 years ago. So is oriole. They dropped the two best items on their menu, the capellini and the soufflé and now charge a supplement for truffles that used to be included. I won’t be going back.
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Curtis Duffy is still nominally the Chef, but he posted some months ago that he was stepping back from being in the kitchen nightly as he had other irons in the fire, including training for a triathlon.
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Our visit to Oriole last year was fantastic but it’s been a while but it sounds like you more familiar with them. Our experience at Smyth, also last year, was fantastic food-wise but $100.00 corkage and an expensive and mediocre wine pairing didn’t help the experience.
Oriole definitely has a bit cheaper corkage but I don’t mind $100 at Smyth, just bring higher end wines. Definitely don’t do the pairings. I guess if you haven’t had the older menu at oriole you might not know what you are missing.
I’ve been to Oriole several times. I didn’t notice any change but, again, I don’t have the familiarity as you. I left Smyth feeling screwed and didn’t think the food or service was noticeably better than Ever or Oriole. We need to try Smyth again and this time I’ll just eat the cork age fee.
I can wear jeans to Oriole
Would anyone have a recommendation for a nice dinner for a small celebration?
Would prefer not to do a tasting menu, but open to it. Ideally not a scene, nearish downtown, but perhaps as far north as Lincoln Park.
Thanks
You can wear jeans to Smyth too.
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They dropped the capellini, soufflé and now charge for truffles. The only decent course on the menu now is the masutake dish. I typically bring drc Rousseau, whatever to Smyth, It’s well worth it.
I’d go to Boka and eat duck. I forget the detais on corkage, but I remember it being allowed ( and a bit expensive). The wine list has many good choices but pricing seems a bit aggressive.
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John’s Food and Wine in Lincoln Park.
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Just had the duck again last week. Corkage is $50/btl max 2 per table.
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I agree with the Boka recommendation. It remains my favorite restaurant in the city right now, and I don’t think it gets nearly the credit it truly deserves. One Michelin star is clearly recognition, but honestly it consistently beats out higher scoring restaurants for my taste.
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as a Boka “regular”, I concur
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