A Girl & Her Food: AVEC

Avec is my FAVORITE restaurant in Chicago and for sure would be my last meal if it ever came down to it. When I used to live on Randolph I would frequent this wood-clan small communal seating spot all the time. However, no living in Wicker Park, with so many amazing new restaurants in Chicago and great foodie events, I rarely have a chance to eat at Avec. But when I do have time, I go; and so worth the wait (no reservations :(

Steve and I sat at the chef's table. Hands down the best seat in the house. I am warning you, we ATE a lot. Chef Fred was manning the station. I got a shot of him prepping our whole roasted red snapper.

We started with the warm tuscan kale salad with fennel, red onion, crimini mushrooms, parmesan and hard-cooked egg

I learned from Chef Fred that you can order a half order (2) of their notorious chorizo-stuffed medjool dates. These bad boys are amazingly delicious with bacon and piqullo pepper-tomato sauce. I ALWAYS get these and the focaccia.

The "deluxe" focaccia with taleggio cheese, ricotta, truffle oil and fresh herbs baked in the oven. As I write this, I am salivating thinking about the smell and the taste!

Earlier that day, via Instagram, I saw Avec was featuring a speciality pizza with salumi toscano, broccolini, parmesan and Gorgonzola crème fraîche. I was so excited to order this; It was unreal!

Steve and I live for a whole roasted fish. Chef Fred made us a perfect roasted red snapper in aqua pazzo with chills, tomatoes, taggascia olives and capers with little neck clams.