Sous Rising

A 5-star experience.  Chef Jake and his wife Alexa do a phenomenal job of welcoming you into the comfort of their home and providing an absolutely unbelievable meal.  From start to finish, every course impressed us and was executed perfectly.  Portion size, presentation and order of the courses were all flawless.  This experience and food quality is up there with any restaurant in Chicago and we've been to all of the best.  Our only complaint is that they have one seating a per week which means we have some time before we'll be there again.  I could go on and on about everything we liked, but just trust me it's a must try restaurant for anyone that likes fine dining.  We can't wait to go back to Sous Rising and eventually to Dyne, as Chef Jake no doubt has a successful restaurant opening in his future.

Went to Sous Rising on 1/26/13 and were blown away by the food, service and ambiance. There isn't a better meal in the city and the experience is definitely one to remember. Highly, highly recommend.

It's often a compliment to say that dining at a restaurant feels like being a guest in someone's home, but in the case of Sous Rising, you literally are a guest in someone's home - and that's just one thing that makes this dining experience unique. Sous Rising is an "underground" restaurant that is actually the living room of Chef Jake and hostess (and Jake's wife) Alexa's apartment in an undisclosed location in Uptown. The space accommodates a maximum of eight diners who share a communal table, with the open kitchen on one side and a rounded bank of windows on the other, so everyone has something interesting to see. Jake and Alexa's apartment is nicely decorated and comfortable, with just the right urban vibe - especially if the night is warm enough to enjoy an aperitif before dinner on the balcony in back. While we talked amongst ourselves, we also kept up a running conversation with Jake in the kitchen and Alexa as she poured the wine. Wine and alcohol pairings are bring-your-own, and if you dine as a group it's fun to share and sample the various pairings that each person or couple brings. We dined with a group that took over the restaurant for the evening, but I imagine that four couples would have a similar experience once everyone began talking and the wine began flowing. A preliminary menu provided by e-mail a few days in advance helps guests select just the right white or red (or beer) to pair.

This unique atmosphere enhances the dining experience, but the food is truly the star of the show. When all was said and done (and eaten), everyone agreed that the dishes at Sous Rising could have been served at some of the best restaurants in Chicago, including places like EL Ideas, goosefoot, Elizabeth, and even Next. Our eight savory courses, followed by an amazing dessert and several dessert bites, were nearly flawless. Indeed, at the end of the meal, when Chef Jake asked which course we liked the least, we all had to stop and think before coming up with a dish to diss. The menu comprised a well-thought-out progression from amuse to "soup and salad," several seafood courses, pork belly, risotto, duck, lamb, and finally desserts. Combinations of ingredients, flavors, and textures often sounded unusual on the menu, but somehow worked on the plate and palate, such as a mini-cupcake topped by a sliver of white chocolate, pink peppercorns, and (wait for it) trout roe. Plating and presentation were whimsical and inventive - the trout roe cupcake arrived in a brown paper bag, like a school lunch that you'd never dream of trading.

As the only chef in the kitchen, Jake might have been forgiven if pacing, quality, or temperature had been inconsistent, but each course arrived at just the right time without ever rushing us or making us wait, proteins were perfectly cooked, and everyone was served together as if a team of sous chefs had coordinated their plating. The result was like a relaxed dinner party among a small group of friends, who found ourselves wondering how soon we could all get together again in the same place. That might be the best compliment of all for Sous Rising: It didn't feel like just another restaurant to check off our list of places to try, but like a special place that would only be around for a brief time, which we were lucky enough to experience before Jake and Alexa move on or open a "real" restaurant. If and when they do, we all hope it will be in Chicago.