iNG Restaurant

Value for $$ - quality ingredients, amount of preparation per dish.  Each dish is about 2-4 bites.  When food is prepared with complimentary ingredients, you don't need much food to feel satisfied.

Miracle Berry -- It was fun to sample two dishes with Miracle Berry.  Tablet form is also sold at iNG.  

4 courses for Restaurant Week -- Capon Puff, Wings, Venison Bratwurst, and Lemon Tart.  As much as iNG is about re-inventing and gastronomy, the Venison Bratwurst lightly reminded me about the traditional German dish of sausage and mash potato.  I am a fan of sauerkraut, and it was delicious.

Tables are available, not just communal.

Complimentary coat check is nice.

Subscribe to iNG's email blast to keep abreast of specials, events and menu.  Chef Cantu's videos are professionally made that makes you appreciate the time, effort and originality per dish.  Plus, the videos are amusing with natural human quirks.

I saw Chef Cantu on Iron Chef America and then saw a Groupon for this place and didn't even know it was in Chicago lol.  I went to their website to see the price difference of the Groupon and it was only 105 so I went without the Groupon.  

The service here is amazing - very friendly and knowledgeable.  The food is even better.  My boyfriend and I both loved the 10 course tasting meal.  Upon making my reservation, they asked if anyone in my party had allergies and they accommodated the boyfriend's coconut allergy.  The meal came with 8 alcoholic pairings and all of them complimented their course beautifully.  Their menu changes approximately every 6 weeks - I can't wait to go back and see what else they have :)

The only negative I have is that if you sit near the door when it's cold outside - it's FREEZING.  Wear layers as they do check your coat for you :)

Tried getting a last minute table at Moto. Wasn't happening so they recommended I go next door to iNG. They were doing a menu inspired by one of my gf's favorite movies: The Nightmare Before Christmas. I wasn't impressed by the presentations or the flavors. It was pretty ho hum. It was playful and ambitious and I got the sense they probably hit more than they miss there. Unfortunately in a city with so many great restaurants and new ones opening up every month, I probably wont be back.