If 2005 has been the year of Grant Achatz’s Alinea, then 1993 was the year of Michael Taus’ Zealous, which celebrates its 12th anniversary this month. Although many diners have become accustomed to eclectic global flavors such as the ones you’ll find on his River North restaurant’s contemporary American menu, 12 years ago this was wild stuff. “Oh my God, people thought this was crazy,” recalls Taus, who had worked at Charlie Trotter’s before opening Zealous. (Originally located in Elmhurst, Taus moved the restaurant to River North in 2000.) But wacky-sounding dishes, such as short stack mango pancakes with savory caramel sauce served with sunny-side up quail eggs, and the seafood “martini”–made with fresh king crab, rock shrimp, roasted lobster and served in a vodka-infused gazpacho–soon became hits. You can find out why on the cheap this month when Zealous gets nostalgic by offering its five-course tasting menu featuring these and other greatest hits for just $45–the same price as 1993. (These days, a five-course menu at Zealous will normally set you back 85 bucks.) And wine pairings that are usually $50 are now just $30. Now that’s what we call a birthday present! 419 W. Superior St. 312-475-9112.
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