Charlie Trotter’s – Chicago, IL
An institution in Chicago for the past 18 years, Charlie Trotter’s is more than a restaurant, it’s an industry: A training ground for talented chefs, and the source for the chef’s eleven cookbooks and two books on management. Aside from the numerous accolades for both the restaurant and the chef, it’s particularly telling that Wine Spectator named it “the best restaurant in the world for wine and food” in 1998: Chef Trotter’s Grand Menu is “conceived to be experienced with white and red wine,” so to eschew wine entirely might be missing the point. The menu is constantly changing, but the exquisitely prepared and served dishes carry influences from France, Asia, and whatever fresh ingredients catch Trotter’s eye. Plan at least four months in advance and book the exclusive “behind the scenes” Kitchen Table (with its own 15-course tasting menu) for a party of six to eight.

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