いらっしゃいませ!

Welcome to my ramen dream... Currently being interpreted in Ramen Burger Land... Looking for a good slurp? Email me ! - Keizo

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Midnight ramen dreams...

Day 1110:

Being that this was my first time in Chicago, there was really only one thing I wanted to do when I got here. Like millions of other kids, I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and since I never got to see him play in person, visiting his statue outside the United Center had always been a dream of mine.


Another dream fulfilled! MJ is still the greatest!


For lunch I headed to Wasabi in Logan Square, since a number of people had recommended it and because Yusho wasn't open until dinner. Btw, thanks for all the recs everyone!


Shoyu Ramen (コク醤油).


It started off promising and I even warned my waitress that I might have to order another bowl. But in the end, I couldn't handle another disappointment. The コク that they mention on the menu was only apparent in color and not much taste. I gave this bowl a fair chance down to the last slurp and sip, but it still never spoke to me like a great bowl should.


Anyway, back at FoodFilmFest... (are the Chicago skies always this beautiful?)


They were setting up for Single Malt Whiskey: The Islay 8.


Oh man...the whiskey fumes were intense!


As much as I wanted to stay and enjoy the whiskey tasting, we had to get over to EL Ideas and prepare for the Midnight Ramen After Party presented by Kitchit.


Ready, Set, Go Ramen!


As soon as the clock struck midnight (actually we started an hour early)...


The best ramen in Chicago was being made in the kitchen of Chef Phillip Foss.


By this time, we were having so much fun.


Ramen Dreams was being shown in the dining room and everyone was slurping away.


I'd have to agree that it was "the Ultimate Event of 2012."


A big thanks to everyone who showed up! Karen, Ashley, and Jillian?


Michael and Christian!


Justin!


Ramen dreams most definitely come true!

And after the after party...


Will Shear, Akiko Moorman, and I were invited to serve ramen at Next.


I still couldn't believe this was really happening.


Some of the top chefs in the world were eating our ramen.


And listening to me talk about it.


Unbelievable!


Please...don't wake me up.

5 comments:

  1. Not Nancy! Karen! :) She will be so sad you forgot her name! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen! but that's what I wrote. haha. I didn't forget. I was just hoping i would get someone's attention. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Keizo! Thank you so much for making the trip to Chicago. It was my favorite event of the year. The ramen was EXCELLENT. As you can see, we have slim pickings here. I do need to visit Aviary ASAP though... likely this weekend now that you posted those videos. I look forward to my next trip to Bassanova. If you come back to the states to teach a lesson, I will be the first one in line!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Justin! great to see you man. thanks for coming to the event! i'll keep u posted on if i decide to go back!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm sad that Wasabi was a disappointment but this just gets me more excited about tasting great ramen in Tokyo in March! Can't wait to try the ramen made in your kitchen. If the bowls I had at EL Ideas are an indication of what to expect, WOW!

    ReplyDelete