🍽️ Chicago Michelin-Starred NEXT
Massimo Bottura's Abbreviated Menu Experience Since last year, NEXT has been paying tribute to renowned chefs through themed dinner series. Their latest homage? None other than Massimo Bottura —the visionary behind Osteria Francescana! 👨🍳🌟 While I've always been intrigued by Chef Bottura's genius (thanks to *Chef's Table*), I was hesitant about NEXT's usual salt-heavy dishes. So, I opted for their 5-course abbreviated menu —served al fresco under Chicago's dreamy summer skies. And honestly? No regrets! Fun fact: My first intro to Chef Bottura was through his documentary , where he crafted dishes to support earthquake-affected cheesemakers, redefined Italian cuisine, and won over even the most traditional nonnas. At NEXT, his signature dishes get a Midwest twist with local ingredients! 🍴 The Menu Breakdown: 🥗 Pic 1-2: "Unveiled Green Goddess" - A fresh, crisp salad with a fun twist: lemon-cured egg yolk sprinkled on top for a salty-tangy kick! - Hidden underneath? Kohlrabi, snow peas, and asparagus for extra crunch. 🌱 🥗 Pic 3: Tortelloni - Stuffed with ham, truffle & black cherry —savory meets sweet! - The pasta was *slightly firm*—makes me wonder how the OG version tastes in Modena. 🥗 Pic 4: Slow-Cooked Beef - Sous-vide perfection with pesto, wild mushrooms & ramp sauce . - Tender, juicy, and—*shockingly*—not oversalted (a NEXT miracle!). 🥩💖 🥗 Pic 5: "Five Ages of Parmigiano" - Bottura’s iconic dish —but with a twist: Wisconsin cheddar instead of Italian Parmigiano. - Still rich, still decadent, still cheesy heaven. 🧀✨ 🥗 Pic 6: "Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart" - A lemongrass ice cream finale—refreshing and playful! - Fun backstory: This dessert was born when a sous chef dropped the tart ... and Bottura turned the "mistake" into magic. - As a fellow overworked human , this story hit different—what a supportive boss ! 😭🙌 ✨ The Vibe: - Live music from Time Out Market’s rooftop across the street (Pic 7). - Casual-chic outdoor dining —way different from typical stuffy fine dining! - Salt levels? FINALLY balanced. Maybe I’ll brave the full menu next time? 📍 NEXT 953 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 🍋 Have you tried NEXT’s themed menus? Or do you have a favorite Bottura dish? Let’s dish in the comments! 👇 #ChicagoEats #MichelinStar #ChicagoFoodie #ChicagoLife #FineDining #MassimoBottura #FoodDocumentary #SummerDinners #WorkersOfTheWorld