The tale of 22-year-old Jonah Reider is one of the most fascinating fables of our generation. It goes a little something like this: Boy goes to Columbia University. Boy opens four-seat restaurant called Pith in his dorm room. Pith becomes one of the hottest restaurants in New York City with a mile-long wait list. Columbia evicts boy from dorm because apparently dorm kitchens can’t be used for commercial activity. (Minor details.) Boy graduates from college and lands one-month residency at Chicago’s famed culinary institution Intro in Lincoln Park.
Now that you’re caught up, you should know that reservations for Reider’s stint beginning Sept. 15 are now live. If you’re going all in, book the multi-course communal supper club experience at $95 per person with optional wine pairings for $45 (we’re not in the dorms anymore) by calling the restaurant at 773-878-0002. For a more budget-friendly option, make a reservation
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in the main dining room, where you’ll be able to sample select a la carte items from Reider’s menu.
Though Reider promises “more surprises and additional dishes” along the way, according to a media release, here’s the first look at his menu for Intro:
Soda with turmeric, ginger and grapefruit
Scallop crudo with Meyer lemon, chive and rhubarb
Tomato with herbs, toasted walnut oil and cherrywood-smoked salt
Golden carrot with ricotta, Marcona almond and preserved lemon
Duck leg confit with maitake, red quinoa and chimichurri
Galette of fresh berries with cardamom ice cream
When we asked Reider what dish he’s most excited to debut in Chicago, he hinted at two not previewed in the release.
“I’m personally really excited about the venison tartare in a jus of black trumpet mushrooms, juniper and quince. … Mmm,” said Reider, who will be mentored by executive chef Stephen Gillanders. “A few carefully selected ingredients whipped up in an improvisational way. I’ve also been playing with a soup I made all of last year—celery root soup—and elevating it by adding hops, smoked maple syrup and caramelized parsnip.”
What? When we said dorm room chef, we certainly didn’t mean ramen or Hot Pockets.
Reider’s multi-course communal experience is offered Thursdays through Saturdays at Intro (2300 N. Lincoln Park West).
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