Anthony Lambatos, owner/CEO of Footers Catering in Arvada, Colorado, and MIBE coach, reflects on returning to the place he had the best meal of his life:
More than 15 years ago, my parents took me to Alinea, Grant Achatz’s famous restaurant in Chicago.
It was the most mind-blowing dining experience I’d ever had, and I talked about it so much over the years that my wife, April, dreamed of me one day taking her.
But, I’ll admit, part of me hesitated to go back. The memory was so good, I wasn’t sure the real thing could live up to it.
I recently returned, this time with April and our kids (ages 10 and 8). And it was even better than I remembered. The creativity, theater and attention to detail were unparalleled. From the arctic char topped with caramelized maple syrup and served on a charred piece of oak barrel, to a mussel presented in an edible “shell,” every dish was a work of art.
There was a helium-filled sugar balloon, a bone marrow and shrimp dish that resembled a fossil, a beeswax strawberry that looked exactly like the real thing, and a clear cube topped with dots of green, red, yellow and neon chartreuse dubbed the “Chicago-Style Hot Dog.” It looked nothing like a hot dog but somehow tasted exactly like one.
It reminded me of something powerful: Avoiding disappointment often means missing out on awesome opportunities. If the meal hadn’t lived up to my expectations, it would have been a bummer, but it wouldn’t have erased the first experience.
And if I’d let fear of disappointment stop me, I would’ve missed an unforgettable night with my family.
Have you traveled to a place recently where the food and culinary scene inspired you and influenced your menu when you returned? If so, we want to hear about it! Send an email to Sara Perez Webber, editor-in-chief (sara@cfe-news.com), to be featured in Travel Table.
