The salad today, part three of our week long seasonal salads focus, is a real work of art for the taste buds.
First, let’s start at the beginning. You enter The Modern Wing, last year’s big art world buzz, opening last spring. Designed by prized architect Renzo Piano, it makes The Art Institute the second largest art museum in the states.
Then you head to the roof, to Terzo Piano. You take your seat in the stark white on white cafe, glimpsing out the gorgeous glass walls over looking the skyline, Michigan Avenue and Millenium Park.
The spring spirits menu details the house made sodas, created daily with fresh fruits, herbs and spices. I chose one inspired by Henri Matisse, Spumanti al Timo, with pomegranate and thyme.
Have you ever heard of Mizuna? I had not until today. The chic server explains it is a Japanese spider mustard, with a peppery flavor.
Mizuna Salad, with Miller’s organic chicken breast, avocado, cilantro, lime and ginger cashew dressing tastes even better than it looks. It wowed me. It made me stop in mid conversation and take a closer look at my plate. It is the perfect blend of a spicy, flavor packed greens. I wanted to order another one to go, to take home and study, but it was a business lunch after all.
The new Matisse exhibit opened last month, and to honor Monsieur Henri the always fabulous Chef Tony and team have “HM” dishes on the new menu, inspired by the life of Matisse. Moroccan chicken with anise bread and almond, and PEI mussels with coriander and citrus, to name a few.
Delish.
DL
