Get Up Close and Personal With the Kitchen Action at New Chef's Tables

Nowadays, dining out is much more than sustenance; it's much more than date night; it's much more than an afterthought. Dining outs one of the ultimate forms of entertainment and culture, especially considering the rise of the "celebrity chef" and their exalted demigod status. Just like attending a concert, diners want to get as up close and personal to the "show" as possible, an opportunity afforded by intimate chef's tables around town. Lately, a fresh batch of chef's tables have popped up in Chicago, offering new opportunities for diners to get the VIP treatment in unique ways. 

 

Bohemian House begins offering its Chef's Table experiences in March, available Sundays through Wednesdays for parties of six to eight. This intimate, customizable experience entails chef Jimmy Papadopoulos calling the guest to ascertain information about tastes and preferences in order to curate a one-of-a-kind, tailored dining experience. The Chef's Table costs $75 per person and can be reserved by calling the restaurant. 

Elsewhere in River North, Osteria La Madia is serving up its next installment of their Chef's Table Series on March 11. This cozy experience takes place at 7:00 p.m. and features a five-course meal prepared by chef/owner Jonathan Fox, with dishes like baccala bruschetta and crispy salumi pizza. There will also be wine pairings and the cost of the dinner is $67 per person. Reservations can be made by phone. 

River North is apparently the new Mecca of chef's tables in Chicago, because the third restaurant to hop on the bandwagon is Tanta, announcing a new chef's table experience called "Aventura Culinaria." This off-menu dining experience takes guests on an edible tour of Peru through the Andean highlands, the Amazon jungle, and the coast. The dinner experience is available starting March 1, with each dinner containing varied family-style and individual plates for six to 20 guests. Over the course of nine dishes, diners will get an ample taste of Peru's multifaceted melting pot cuisine. The cost is $80 per person and beverage pairings are available for an additional $50. For more info, check out Tanta's website.  

- Matt Kirouac