So, a while back I was in Chicago and lunched at Blackbird. Here's what I had to say then. So, I was there again and tried dinner. Wow. I liked it for lunch, I did. But dinner was fabulous. I spent quite a bit -- but it was worth every cent.
What did I have this time? I had trouble picking from the menu, as there were multiple things I wanted to try. On the advice of the server I went with the rabbit entree (rather than pork or lamb belly) and I tried the ahi tuna appetizer (with a lovely citrus theme and perigord truffle). The ahi was slow roasted, succulent and had the best mouth feel of any tuna I have ever eaten. (And that says a lot.) The truffles were lovely; and the orange, molasses and spiced streusel went extremely well with the tuna. It looked like I licked my plate; for the record, I did not.
The rabbit was in a ballotine (is that the right word?) -- with confit leg and roasted rabbit "saddle." It came slices into rounds, atop barley risotto. Well, not quite risotto until you poked the round egg yolk in the center, which had I not known that was what it was, would have baffled me as it was dusted with broccoli bits. Amazing. I am not always a big fan of runny yolks, but this was amazing. Swish swish and -- magically there was risotto. It too was amazing -- expecially the rabbit, which was tender, rich, and wrapped about with a somewhat salty bit. A perfect sweet/savoury balance. Again, looked like I licked the plate. Again, for the record, I did not.
I love rabbit and this is one of the best versions I have ever had -- with the best probably having been in Quebec City or Montreal. Hmmmm. Or maybe Chicago. At blackbird.
I had a pinot noir to go with these; not a cocktail, though they are rightly well known for their cocktails. I chose it myself and am proud that I picked something that went so well, as my palate is not great and I usually am pretty darn dependent for wine choices.
And, dessert? Yes, I cold not resist. I was tempted by many. What did I go for -- the chesnut mousse with the same sort of truffles as noted above and persimmons and caramel. Amazing presentation (yes, I keep repeating that word) -- the persimmons were very very very thinly sliced and arranged like a flower on top of the mousse. I felt vaguely guilty messing with the design as I ate it; and I have to say: there was a bit of crunchy to it all which made it transcend perfection. (Is that possible? Can something be more perfect than perfect?) While the plating of this was absolutely great, all the plating was well proportioned and attractive. And things smelled good. Hurrah.
Am I always this effusive? I think not. But this was a really good meal. And the service was delightful as well. The woman who sat me also ran out to get me a taxi in what were not quite the best conditions for someone without a coat (her, not me).
Yep, worth it. Dandy. Better than blackbird pie.
For an utterly unrelated recipe for rabbit saddle that I may try some time, click here. I found it trying to figure out what the saddle is (it is the loin more or less) -- and there are lots out there that look amazing. Yep, that word again. Hmmm.
Not as unrelated, they are supporters of Chicago's green market. Here is their site.
And, for urbanspoon on blackbird, including my prior review, here you go:
