A TRU dining experience thanks to Foodbuzz.com

As a featured Foodbuzz publisher, every once in a while I get a little bonus. Usually I'm not available or my name doesn't get drawn out of the hat, but this time I hit the jackpot. Thanks to Foodbuzz and Visa Signature, I was one of 20 lucky bloggers to experience a lavish multi-course dinner at Tru in downtown Chicago. I photographed each course - but these photographs cannot begin to convey the aromas and essences of the entire experience. You'll just have to believe me when I say it was phenomenal. The pic to the left is just my water. :)





We were first served a Basil Collins - Rain vodka with basil infused sweet and sour mix and club soda. Oh so very yummy and refreshing. I drank most of it at this point. :)




A canape of Cauliflower Sphere with roe and lemon peel.




Beef Wellington
and Scallop Wonton




Two delightful, small pieces of bread - one brioche-like and the other a deep pumperknickel.






Nigella Sea Cured Salmon with lemon gelee and bachelor button flowers.








Peeky Toe Crab with Prosciutto,
pequillo, and cantaloupe-cava consomme





Frog Leg with roasted garlic, carrot and watercress







Olive-oil poached Scottish salmon with Granny Smith apple, coconut and thai long peppercorn.










Braised Beef Short Ribs with Unagi, Scallion pistou and miso emulsion. This was the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef I've ever tasted. And, yes, unagi is eel. Tastes like chicken. Just kidding.


Seedling Farms plum, sarsaparilla cream, milk chocolate, ginger-lime marinade.








Mignardises
(Petite Desserts)














I didn't even mention the wines - Alma de Blanco Godello Monterrei 2008 and Niepoort Twisted Douro 2006. And, on top of everything else, Executive Chef and Owner Rick Tramonto stopped by our dinner to say hello. Oh, plus we got a tour of the kitchen and a bonus dessert while we were there.

I promise to post more often now that summer is over!! I have a million tomatoes to be creative with!!