I’ve just returned home from Chicago and a whirlwind week of sightseeing and festivities surrounding my darling daughter’s wedding. Everything was perfect and even the weather cooperated with beautiful, sunny days that made our adventures even more fun and comfortable.
I’m a devoted Rick Bayless fan and having dinner at his Frontera Grill in downtown Chicago was at the top of my wish list of things to do while we were there. Getting reservations was impossible so we arrived an hour before the restaurant opened and took our chances. The line was already around the block, and once we were inside the restaurant we had to wait an hour to be seated, but the delicious margaritas in the bar made the wait more than enjoyable. A huge, colorful dragon watched over the entrance and welcomed all who entered.
I selected Pato en Mole Verde Querentano – grilled, garlic-marinated duck breast with Queretano style green mole of sesame seeds, almonds, peanuts, poblano, plantain and sweet spices garnished with a salsa of pears and jicama. Braised swiss chard and grilled red onions accompanied the duck.
My daughter ordered Puerco al Guajillo – adobo marinated pork loin cooked over hot coals and served in a red guajillo chili sauce. Spicy but out of this world. The pork was served with corn husk steamed tamals flavored with queso anejo, grilled chayote and bacon.
My new son-in-law tried Caldo de Siete Mares – a hearty stew of mussels, scallops, shrimp, mahimahi and potatoes in a red chile epazote broth with a sunflower shoot garnish.
For dessert we shared a rich, creamy flan garnished with sauted pears and pomegranateand a plum crumble topped with caramel ice cream.
Dinner was wonderful and I can’t wait to try some of Rick Bayless’ recipes in my own kitchen. His menus change monthly so next time I visit the city we will have new dishes to try. Muy bueno.
It all looks wonderful. I'm sure the wedding was lovely. My best wishes for much happiness to the bride and groom.
Hi Cathy, I've been thinking about you, and the wedding. Lucky you to get into Frontera. Rick Bayless just opened a new place here, XOCO, already great reviews. Glad to hear you'll be coming back to Chicago, maybe we can meet up and eat some good food!
What an oppourtunity to be able to get in!! I loved watching Rick on the Top Master Chefs on Food Network. All the dishes looked great – the stew really caught my eye!
Congratulations on your daughters wedding – any photos in a later post?????
Congratulations to your daughter! The food looks worth the wait!
Rick is my absolute favorite…he is a genius!!! I'm so jealous…everything looks amazing!
Congrats again for your daughter who is getting married,..!!!
The food looks great especially the 2 wonderful desserts, I think!
Congratulations to your daughter! It's so nice that you had clear skies while you were there.
What a nice looking meal! Your photos came out beautifully!
Have a nice Wednesday!
I love that dragon. I've seen Rick on TV and always love looking at the meals he prepares. How cool that you got to eat at his place.
Flan is my absolute favorite dessert to get when we go out. Everything looks scruptious.
Ramona
Welcome back! I am happy that the wedding was beautiful and that you were able to do the number one item on your wish list!
The dishes all look delicious! I have enjoyed the Bayless recipes I have tried.
Welcome home! I hope you had a wonderful time in the Windy City. It looks like you certainly had a great time at Frontera Grill! I've never been there, but I really like Rick Bayless. I loved his old, old, old PBS show. In addition to creating amazing food, he's just an interesting person to listen to. Your meal at Frontera looks terrific. I bet it was an experience to study the menu! So many good and unique choices. Looking forward to seeing what Rick Bayless inspired dishes you create in your kitchen!
We have eaten there and enjoyed it very much!!!
Congratulations to your daughter. Everything looks so elegant and delicious!
Wow, I can't believe the line, that's incredible but looks like it was worth the wait!
my mouth is watering!!! I love Rick and those dishes look amazing!
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding. The dishes at Frontera Grill look amazing. Rick Bayless creates such wonderful dishes!
I would love to visit Frontera Grill, too! I never miss his show on PBS – also have a couple of his cookbooks. Time to dust them off and try some of the recipes!!
Beautiful photos, Cathy. I'm jealous of your dinners!!
You lucky girl! I would love to go to Rick's restaurant. I am glad you had a nice time at your daughter's wedding.
I will be out of town camping this weekend but will try to make the Farmer's market on the 31st. Can't wait to meet you!
fantastic! congratulations as well! did you watch Rick Bayless on Top Chef Masters (the celebrity chef edition)? He won the title of Top Chef in case you didn't see it and the food he prepared looked majestic, so I envy you and your night out. 🙂
Hi Cathy….Congratulations on your daughter's wedding….will we get to see pictures on the blog…i hope so I love wedding pictures….the food at the resturant looked amazing…and I'm not a big lover of mexican food but I know Rick Bayless goes beyond just regular mexican food…it all looked fabulous….
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, Cathy! You were only a 90 minute ride from me 🙂 I've never been to his restaurant but it sounds like the wait was worth it! Chicago is so much fun.
Oh does all that food look absolutely delicious and from Rick Bayless's restaurant too. Yummmm!
Hi Cathy,
So happy all went well with the wedding and that you had a good trip to Chicago..
The food looks wonderful!
K
Yes congratulations on the wedding:) I LOVE weddings..and what a treat for you to eat there! The meals look refreshingly different to me:) Hope you share what you make:)Ahh..you will:)
We had great experience at the Frontera when we were in Chicago, we went there twice during our brief visit to this city. It was memorable visit, and food was delicious.
All that food looks fabulous. I'd love to get to Frontera sometime (and visit Marie of Proud Italian Cook). Congratulations to you and your daughter.
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding! I went to Chicago once for a wedding and loved it. I thought it was magical (not your typical Italian wedding). Wish I got to do more site seeing in Chicago. Don't know if I'll ever go back.
I have never heard of Rick Bayless … just looked it up. I might try some recipes of his. 🙂
Congrats on your daughters wedding…how wonderful! How lucky for you to eat at Frontera Grill…I loves Rick Bayless and his recipes…
Thanks so much for the pics and review!
L~xo
I haven't been to Chicago in so many years. Looks like I'm missing out. The food looks great.
Congratulations to your daughter!
Glad your back and congrats to you and your daughter! The food at Frontera looks wonderful. Your photos are gorgeous. What are you shooting with? Do you have a special lens?
Wow! That was some fabulous meal! And beautiful pictures, too. Congratulations on the daughter's marriage!