When courting someone, you are trying to woo a mate. A peacock shows his feathers and a knight draws his sword. So what the heck does a Chicagoan do? Get a ticket to the opening of the coolest, most genius, innovative, soon to be most talked about, new restaurant and lounge in the city. Here is your chance to get ahead of the curve. Next and Aviary.
Courtesy of Next Facebook page
Whoa, whoa, whoa…back up. Did I say ticket? To a restaurant? Yes indeedy I did. This will be only ONE of the several talked about, new concepts Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas will bring to the table at Next. For those that do not know, these are the same creators of Alinea, world known and the most expensive restaurant in Chicago. So instead of making a reservation, you purchase a ticket ahead of time in the same fashion as going to a Cubs game. Tix will cost more for prime time on the weekend versus a less desired time on a weekday. Grant puts it perfectly in his interview with Chicago Mag, “we’re not going to overprice Saturday at 7pm. We’re going to underprice Wednesday at 8:30pm.” Pricing is to be $45 to $75 per meal. So basically you get what you pay for…or don’t pay for.
Grant Achatz
Photograph by Aaron Corey courtesy of Chicago Timeout
So this is where things start to get interesting. Every quarter, Next will have a different theme. Not only will you have the opportunity to try cuisine from around the word, but travel in time as well! I am talking about the past AND the future. According to the website, the themes in order will be as follows. I don’t know what some of these mean, but here it goes:
Paris 1912
Hong Kong 2036
Sicily 1949
Tokyo Edo Period
The Veneto
Sao Paulo 1968
Ayutthaya 1767
Cajun 1977
Needless to say, this place has got options. Does your date prefer Chinese food over Italian? No problemo! Just hold out on Paris 1912 and go to Hong Kong 2036 a few months later. However do not ask someone out for the Cajun 1977 theme unless you are planning on marrying this person…that’s over two years from now people.
Courtesy of Aviary Facebook page
Moving right along. This brings me to the after dinner drink portion, Aviary. Located next to Next, this will not be your typical bar. In fact, no bar nor bartender will be in sight. It is more like a restaurant for cocktails. Made in the kitchen and then served to your table. With mix your own drinks and twists on the classics, you might have to order one of each. Little nibbles will be offered to accompany your beverage, almost like a pairing. But reversed. Food that goes with your cocktail instead of a cocktail that goes with your food. Click here for a sneak peak video of two cocktails to be offered on the menu!
Aviary White Lady and Negroni Cocktail
Courtesy of You Tube and Eater
Between the fluctuation in price and cuisine, Next and Aviary are great for any date on any budget. So how do you purchase tickets to this not yet opened, West Loop treasure? You get on the ‘notify me when tickets go on sale’ list. Visit the website and click on “Notify Me” on the top after watching the trailer. Early bird gets the worm. Good luck!
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