Poor Celina Tio: normally a James Beard Award winner and Top Chef Masters star would be a big draw on her own for The Bristol’s chef dinner series, but in this case people will think of her as just the warmup act next to the guy who’s going to follow her in October: Thomas Keller. Anyway, Tio, the chef of Julian in Kansas City and 2007 James Beard Best Chef Midwest winner during her time at the iconic The American Restaurant will be joining Chris Pandel in the kitchen next Wednesday, September 12, for a beer and bourbon dinner beginning at 6 p.m. $55 (plus pairings for another $25) gets you the five-course meal, which sounds great, but it also gets you something else: first crack at tickets for Keller, who will be here promoting his new book Bouchon Bakery, on October 28. Other details remain open at the moment, but Pandel told Eater that the event came about because Grant Achatz brought Keller to The Bristol back when it first opened and he retained fond memories of it and agreed when it was suggested as a Chicago stop. In the meantime, see the menu for the Tio event below, and make your reservations for next Wednesday at 773-862-5555.
CELINA TIO-CHRIS PANDEL EVENT MENU
Chilled Terrine of Quail Foie Gras, Cherries, Hazelnut Butter and Toast
Goose Island/The Bristol - Barrel Aged “A Beer Named Sue” Black IPA
Grilled Mackerel Edamame, Black Garlic, and Fermented Mint Pickle
New Belgium - “1554” Black Ale
Citra Hops Braised Pork Belly Fennel and Grapefruit
New Belgium/Lips of Faith - “Super Hop” Imperial IPA
House Smoked Sausage Red Cabbage, Potato, Caraway
New Belgium/Lips of Faith - “La Folie” Sour Brown Ale
Madagascar Bourbon Hot Chocolate, Candied Ginger Cake Donut
Kentucky Sour (Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Smoked Sea Salt, Sorghum, St. Germaine)
and
Celina’s Bourbon Sipper (Celina’s personal bourbon - limited supply)
