Out of THIS World

Day 4  Schwa

We took the Red Line "L" to the center of the downtown loop and walked up to Michigan Ave, checked in at the Architecture Foundation and signed up for a historical tour of skyscrapers of Chicago.  Then after a mid morning snack we went to the Art Institute--a massive art gallery located in one of the original buildings from the 1893 World Fair.  New wings have been added to this structure.  I am not sure how many rooms are located in this structure but perhaps 100's.  Each room is filled with art from various world regions.  The Institutes claim to fame is a very large collection of Impressionists paintings.  We made it to the Institute at about 11 and wandered about until nearly 3:00.  Amazing--one could spend days there.  We then went on our 60 minute walking tour of the skyscrapers (and buildings which were not) beginning with a building from the early 1900's and concluding with the Trump building.  The post-modernist library was exceptionally striking.  The excitement of the day was only a prelude to the extra-terrestrial evening.

We left Nancy and Mike's place about 6:00 in the pouring rain to find our way to Schwa Restaurant (I guess you could call it a restaurant).  Schwa is the original Lovitt Restaurant that Norman and Kristen sold to chef Michael.  I don't have words for this experience.  Evelyn kept saying  "I have never experienced anything like this."  If you know Evelyn she has a lot of experiences and to say this means something special.  First of all the restaurant is a hole in the wall with only about 24 seats.  Second, it is very difficult to make reservations since no one seems interested in answering the phone.  Third it is well known in Chicago.  Fourth there is no menu.  Fifth, it is BYOB. Sixth, the chefs were also the waiters.  Stepping through that hole in the wall door was like walking into another world.  We were served a 12 course meal that was 4th dimensional in about every sense you can imagine.  It is the closest to El Bulli that I can imagine.  E.G.  Thai soup that was a custard.  Rap music not so much in the background.   Presentations that were delicate and beautiful.  Plates and dishes of many shapes and sizes.  Foods of many textures, flavors, and foams.  We have pictures of each course. It was a thrill to meet chef Michael when he came to our table to talk with us for a brief moment. I am sure I will always remember this once in a lifetime food experience which in and of itself made the trip to Chicago wonderful.