mk the Restaurant | June 17, 2011

868 North Franklin Street

Chicago, IL 60610-3114

http://mkchicago.com/index.swf

Miller-Stein Ranking

Our food experience | 5.0 Buckeyes

Quality | 5.0 Buckeyes

Cost | 5.0 Buckeyes

Character | 5.0 Buckeyes

Beverages | 5.0 Buckeyes

Service | 5.0 Buckeyes

A Spring tasting menu | 54

Artichoke

Chilled artichoke soup, manila clams, lemon, raineri olive oil, parsley

Asparagus

Roast purpule asparagus, morel mushrooms, parmigiano-reggiano

Walleye

Grilled lake erie wallere pike, fava beans, baby leeks sorrel, fennel vinaigrette

Ricotta & apricot

Nono’s ricotta cheesecake, caramelized apricots, pistachio coulis, apricot granita

French fries and truffle sauce

MK Restaurant in Chicago

The Proposal Night

We’re sorry for the lack of pictures; Stein and I were concerned that the restaurant would frown upon us taking pictures. We were also just too wrapped up in the excitement of the evening!

Stein confessed to planning every minute of the night he proposed. He began by selecting a Chicago native favorite.  MK Restaurant, located a short walk from the hustle and bustle of Michigan Avenue, the outside of MK doesn’t do the restaurant justice. When you walk inside, you’re shocked; the glass vaulted ceiling, pristine white table clothes and fabulous china catch you off-guard.

We were greeted by the friendliest host and hostess we’d ever come in contact with and were shown to our beautiful table. We were promptly approached by our server who was ready to tend to our every need. Stein had read online that the service at MK was like no other; the attention they pay to the diners and the care they take when taking your order and delivering food was phenomenal.

Stein started with water and then decided to get a glass of wine. After selecting a pinot grigio it was my turn. I selected sparkling water and a glass of sauvignon blanc. Both glasses of wine were served in a large glass with generous portions (plenty for the entire meal).

Stein was particularly attracted to the Spring Tasting Menu, a pre-selected variety of menu options. After reading the description, we were both sold, we both went with it.

The first course was a small piece of salmon on a lightly toasted piece of bread with a sauce and cheese. It was a perfect way to start the meal, it got our taste buds ready for the magic we were about to encounter.

The soup was the first substantial item on the menu. An artichoke based purée with a sprinkling of cheese on top served chilled was a great way to officially start the meal. The base was creamy, but not too thick and tasted great. A variety of bread was also brought out at this time which complimented the soup well.

The next course was an asparagus and mushroom salad. Like we’ve written about previously, asparagus is very difficult to cook correctly. MK’s asparagus and mushrooms, however, were incredible. The perfectly cooked vegetables were marinated in a sauce that was very unique that blended perfectly with the vegetables. Stein and I both made sure to clean our plates.

The next course was the main course; grilled walleye was brought to us on a bead of sautéed baby spinach marinated in another delicious sauce. The walleye was small and manageable and didn’t have the extreme fishy taste I often fear. It was a very mild fish that tasted very fresh. Stein would never forgive me if I forgot to mention the French fries. MK is popular for its French fries with among other things, so we had to try them. The fries lived up to our expectations, sprinkled with seasoning and fresh herbs, the fries were served with a creamy truffle sauce that has a mayonnaise type consistency and taste – very delicious!

Next up was the dessert, which we were thrilled to try. A cheesecake-like pound cake served with grilled pears and apricots with a citrus sauce. Just reading the description was mouth-watering and the first bite and all bites to come were better than we imagined. The light a fluffy cake mixed with the warmed fruit was excellent.

I’m not sure if it was the excitement of the night, excellent food, great service or ambiance, but this was one of the best, if not the best dining experiences the Miller-Stein duo has ever had. A night ending with a sunset horse and carriage ride along lake Michigan with the most incredible person by your side… how could I ask for anything more? Well, the surprises weren’t done yet... Stein planned the most magical day and proposed!!

What will happen to the name of the blog you ask? Well we’d like to leave that up to our readers! Do we:

1.     Leave it the same, stick with the classics

2.     Change to Dine with Stein & Stein

3.     Change to Dine with the Stein’s

4.     Change to Dine with Stein squared

Don’t worry readers, you have time!