Unique Foodie Experiences in Chicago
If you’re looking for unique and fun foodie experiences in Chicago that aren’t your typical Prix Fixe menu, checkout this list! I have included everything from cooking classes, cocktail making and exclusive dinners at some of the best restaurants in the city. These are great ideas for a fun holiday activity or a gift for the foodie in your life.
Nico Osteria Experiences: From pasta making, meatball moments and a mixology master class. Classes range from $60-$125 per person, for inquiries email info@nicoosteria.com
Blackbird Holiday High Tea: Celebrate the holiday season with high tea at Blackbird. They’re hosting tea service along with bite-size sandwiches, pastries & sweet treats from Blackbird and The Publican. Tickets are available online and is open Sunday’s in December from 2-4 PM. Tickets are $95 per person.
Balena Pop-Up Dinner: You may remember Balena as a popular Italian Restaurant by the Boka Group. They suffered a fire in 2017 and never reopened the restaurant. This fall, Boka opened up a limited time Balena pop-up dinner experience that will serve as a celebration of life for the restaurant. The menu will highlight their best dishes and is running through the end of December (Wednesday - Sunday). Reserve your reservation so you can experience this restaurant one last time!
Avec Dinner Series: Avec often has special dinners that each have a different theme. On December 8th, Executive Chef Paul Kahan and Chef Perry Hendrix are hosting a dinner celebrating the release of a new cook book, Cooking for Good Times, inspired by Avec. I't’s a family-style dinner that will feature some of Avec’s greatest hits including two of my faves (chorizo-stuffed medjool dates and potato and salted cod brandade). Each guest will get to take home a signed copy of the new book and hear stories from the chefs themselves. Tickets are $195 per person.
Eataly Supper Club: Eataly is launching their first ever supper club series at their new restaurant, Osteria del Mercato, these dinners will be hosted monthly. The first dinner will be taking place December 19th, the dinner will be focused around truffles yum! Tickets are $95 per person.
The Office at the Aviary: The office is the speakeasy bar located below the Aviary on Fulton in the West Loop. This cocktail bar in itself is a one of kind unique experience. On top of regular reservations which require a payment of $25-$50 per person which goes towards your bill, they have a few special cocktail experiences.
The dusty bottle experience includes tasting of 3 vintage class cocktails paired with culinary delights for $165-$195 per person.
The office hour is an hour long experience that includes cocktails, savoy snacks or dessert for $65-75 per person.
Xo, Syd