JELLYFISH CHICAGO ~ A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Jellyfish, an intimate pan-Asian restaurant in the heart of Chicago’s vibrant and trendy Goldcoast area.  Jellyfish awakens the senses and offers exemplary service and attention to detail, along with tableside care that assures the guest a phenomenal dining experience.

~ Tasting Experiences ~

These tastings were creative takes on classic preparations using fresh and local ingredients.  Platings were beautifully presented and extremely delicious.  All of these creative recipes were the handiwork of Chef Hector Marcial and Head Sushi Chef Puje Dorlig.

Shishito Peppers with teriyaki sauce, bonito flakes ~ these roasted Peppers can be sweet on one bite and then fiery hot on another; I happened to bite into an exceptionally fiery hot piece and gave up; yes, I’m a wimp, but what I tasted, I enjoyed.

Spicy Crab Mini Tacos, jumbo lump crab with cilantro, lime, tomato, shallots, chives, candied lemon, jalapeno ~ it’s difficult to describe the taste sensation as you bite into one of these Mini Tacos; nothing was overpowering, and all tastes complimented each other; the topping of chili shreds was a nice taste that didn’t add any heat.

(Photo by W. Jones)

Grilled Calamari with frisse salad, shallots, tomato, mizuna, and spicy yuzu dressing ~ I love Calamari and this dish didn’t disappoint; this was another great explosion of perfectly matched flavors; the subtle crunch of the salad details was also a very nice touch.  

(Photo by W. Jones)

Seared Scallops and Tsukemono, pan seared scallops with pickled veggies, bacon bits ~ another great hit on yet another favorite of mine, Scallops; the sweetness of the Scallops was heightened by the mix of the Tsukemono pickled veggies and bacon bits; bacon and seafood are always a great taste pairing.

Roasted Pork Belly with Thai pineapple relish, yuzu coleslaw ~ if I could still do cartwheels, I would’ve done so after tasting this melt in your mouth Roasted Pork Belly; the slight peppery relish was a sweet compliment to the star of the dish, and the coleslaw added a nice subtle crunch to the dish.

Black Diamond Signature Rolls with shrimp tempura, Alaskan crab mix, fish roe, cucumber, avocado, nori ~ now this is my kind of sushi; another great explosion of flavor in the mouth with all of these tasty ingredients.

(Photo by W. Jones)

Sweet P Vegetarian Roll with spinach tempura, sweet potato, cream cheese, avocado ~ another outrageously delicious take on sushi; a luscious center and rolled in crunchy roasted spinach is definitely a yeowza.

(Photo by W. Jones)

Warm Banana Donut with blueberry compote, vanilla ice cream, espresso cream ~ an outstanding dessert that paired the iconic breakfast treat with a refreshing glimpse of summer.

(Photo by W. Jones)

Ginger Apple Springroll with mango sorbet ~ another delicious dessert that paired summer and fall iconic treats with a surprise element from Asia.

~ In Closing ~

Jellyfish is a must dining experience for locales and visitors.  Lunch, brunch and dinner are available, along with nightly entertainment in the lounge area; for those in a hurry, there’s even takeout or delivery.  I sat in the beautiful enclosed terrace area; it’s great view provided a glimpse of the bustling street below, which was ideal for people watching.  The restaurant is beautifully appointed with an open and airy design layout.  Its menu appeals to carnivores and omnivores alike, including folks like me who aren’t into traditional sushi.  To learn more about this fabulous restaurant, visit http://www.jellyfishchicago.com

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy cooking…happy eating…happy drinking.

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as the International Home+Housewares Show, the National Restaurant Show and the Sweets and Snacks Expo.  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  Her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Cision Seek or Shout, Plaxo, Red Room, Pinterest, and Tripatini.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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(Photo credits as represented by the specific brand, with contributions by Wilbert Jones.)