Chicago | Let Your Tongue Decide- The Dining Room At Moody Tongue
Unsurprisingly, culinary travel has increased in popularity over the last few years. After all, I’ve been saying food is an excellent reason to travel. No matter the destination, I try to keep an eye out for unusual foods or drinks that genuinely speak to me.
Let’s rewind to 2017. I was in the midst of one of my many trips to Chicago and happened across Moody Tongue beer on the menu. Not only did the name stand out, but this beer was locally brewed in Chicago. You know the rest of the story; I fell head over heels in love with the beer and filled my suitcase with bubble wrap and four packs to return to Nashville. Subsequent trips to Chicago have resulted in a visit to the taproom or the closest Binny’s to replenish my inventory.
In November 2019, Moody Tongue did the unfathomable and launched the Bar and The Dining Room at Moody Tongue. Not only would this space cater to the occasional beer connoisseur, but it would also house a 28-seat dining room where chef Jared Wentworth would create a hyper-seasonal tasting menu with curated beer pairings.
Truly, my dream come true.
When it comes to fine dining or tasting menus, restaurants naturally pair wines or cocktails with their dishes, but you rarely see beer offered as one of the pairings. Most people don’t think about pairing food and beer together unless it’s something spicy. However, Moody Tongue shatters that antiquated approach.
If you’ve followed Blonde Voyage Nashville for any amount of time, you know I am ALWAYS in Chicago. In fact, it’s my home away from home, but only in the summer. I was fortunate enough to experience the tasting menu in October 2020 and was absolutely blown away. The food, beer pairings, and service were unmatched. Shortly after my visit, Moody Tongue was the first brewery awarded two Michelin stars. Curious about how their culinary style had evolved, I booked a return visit and couldn’t wait for what was in store.
Who Are The Geniuses Behind Moody Tongue?
When I discovered Moody Tongue, I did a deep dive because I wanted to know all the things aside from the fact that this beer would ever be distributed in Tennessee. Brewmaster Jared Rouben and Chef Jared Wentworth are the masterminds behind the “culinary brewing” philosophy at Moody Tongue. This approach connects the kitchen and brewery in a newfound way - creating food and beers that complement each other, creating an extraordinary dining experience.
Rouben has always had a passion for beer. Not only did he found the Brew Club at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), but he took the lessons learned in the Michelin star kitchens, attention to detail, precision, and execution and decided to move to Chicago to attend the Siebel Institute, one of the world’s leading beer schools. ( I had no idea such schools existed!). The inspiration he found from innovative chefs and local ingredients began to influence his beer, ultimately building the foundation for “culinary brewing.”
Chef Jared Wentworth is no stranger to the Chicago culinary scene. His resume includes Longman & Eagle, Dusek’s Board and Beer, The Promontory, and MONEYGUN, to name a few. Not to mention the nine Michelin stars he’s gained along the way. Undoubtedly, he’s been feeding Chicagoans for quite some time. When Moody Tongue decided to expand its operations, Rouben asked Wentworth to become executive chef for the new concept, and the rest is history.
SPINY LOBSTER CANNOLI | LOBSTER, RICOTTA, YUZU GEL, DILL
SERVED WITH ZESTED ORANGE WIT
Things to know before you go:
If you are planning a trip to Moody Tongue, here are a few things you need to know before you go.
Seatings are available at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays or 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reservations open 45 days in advance at midnight CST. It’s important to note that when you make reservations, you will be asked to select your beverage pairings, which are optional, and pay for your experience in advance. I can’t imagine making a reservation at Moody Tongue and not adding the beer pairings, but stranger things have happened. If you choose not to add them at the time of your reservation, you can add them on the evening of your dinner.
The tasting menu experience in The Dining Room is currently $285.00 per guest, and that does not include the curated beer pairing, which is an additional $75.00. Gratuity (20%) and sales tax are not included. All in, the cost for a party of two is less than $1000.00.
The dining experience can range from two to two and a half hours, but rest assured, the staff will set the pace. If you’d like to take it a bit slower, express that to the team in advance.
Spoiler alert- If you are a fan of the 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake that Moody Tongue is so famous for, it is not included in the tasting menu. Don’t be ashamed to order a piece for the end of your meal or to take away.
Lastly, if you’re like me and want to purchase beer, Moody Tongue has limited offerings. Note, when you buy these from The Dining Room, 20% gratuity and sales tax are included.
HOKKAIDO SCALLOP | CITRON, CALAMANSI, BLACK TRUMPET, POMELO, LIME SNOW
SERVED WITH 2018 PRESSED ASIAN PEAR SAISON
Now that you are a little more familiar with Moody Tongue, I’ll share with you our tasting menu. I found the food and curated beer pairings to be quite impressive. As with any tasting menu, some dishes were more inspiring than others but the beer was perfect every single time.
KALUGA CAVIAR | WHITE ASPARAGUS, IBERICO HAM, EGG YOLK JAM, BEURRE BLANC
SERVED WITH 2018 PRESSED ASIAN PEAR SAISON
DUNGENESS CRAB & HOKKAIDO SEA URCHIN | CHAWANMUSHI, BLACK GARLIC, LEMONGRASS, SCALLION
SERVED WITH APERITIF PILSNER
DOVER SOLE | SUNCHOKE, LEMON, BROWN BUTTER, HAZELNUT
SERVED WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM BELGIAN BLONDE
HUDSON VALLEY FOIE GRAS | CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE DUMPLING, SPICY BEECH MUSHROOM, DUCK CONSOMME
SERVED WITH BELGIAN AMBER
PORK SHANK | SEA BUCKTHORN, PROK TUILLE, PEARL ONION, STEEL CUT OAT PORRIDGE
SERVED WTIH DUNKEL
ROAST SQUAB | BELUGA LENTILS, CAULIFLOWER-ALMONT PUREE, LEG BON-BON, GRAPE GEL, NATURAL JUS
SERVED WITH OUD BRUIN
VENISON | CHESTNUT, BLUE OYSTER MUSHROOM, SQUASH, HUCKLEBERRY
SERVED WITH CASSIS
A5 MIYAZAKI | YORKSHIRE PUDDING, ASPARAGUS, PICKLED RAMP, MOREL, SMOKED BEEF FAT HOLLANDAISE
SERVED WITH 2021 OAK BARREL AGED FLANDERS RED ALE
STEAMED BRIOCHE | WILD MUSHROOM POWDER, THAI BLACK PEPPER, DÉLICE DE BOURGOGNE
FLAVORS OF CITRUS & FENNEL | GRAPEFRUIT & FENNEL SORBET, FENNEL SEED GRAHAM, FERNET MARSHMALLOW, CONFIT GRAPEFRUIT
SERVED WITH FRAMBOISE
FROZEN PARFAIT | CHAI, DEVILS FOOD CAKE, LUXARDO CARAMEL
SERVED WITH 2022 BOURBON BARREL-AGED COFFEE CAKE STOUT
If you are looking for a different kind of Michelin-star dining experience, the Dining Room at Moody Tongue is for you. Chef Jared Wentworth does a remarkable job pulling together seasonal dishes with equally creative beer pairings. If that isn’t in your budget, I cannot say enough wonderful things about the Bar. Guests can create their own tasting flights and enjoy many incredible dishes from their a la carte menu. But whatever you decide, make sure you get a slice of the 12 Layer German Chocolate Cake. You’ll thank me later.
Tariff: The tasting menu at Moody Tongue is $285.00 per person, which does not include the curated beer pairing, which is an additional $75.00. When you add taxes and gratuity (service fee), the price is $471.00 per person. For libationists looking to grab some beer to enjoy later, there are limited options available when you make your reservation. However, please note that you will be charged a 20% gratuity on any four or six-pack you purchase through the Dining Room.
Can't Miss: For this tasting experience, the Kaluga Caviar, Dover Sole, Roast Squab, and Steamed Brioche were all standouts of the evening. I was awestruck as squab is not a dish that I typically gravitate towards, but Chef Jared Wentworth nailed it. And let's have a moment for the Steamed Brioche. Not only was the presentation magnificent, but I've never had any brioche with that texture and taste. Superb!
Potential Pass: While it seems counterintuitive to say don't come here to celebrate a special event, I would say not to. My friend booked this dinner and noted that it was my birthday, and after asking which one of us was celebrating a birthday, that's where it ended. I didn't need the pomp and circumstance, but after spending nearly $1000.00 on dinner, you'd like to think there would be a special pour of beer or something. Instead, we left a little disappointed and feeling rushed throughout the evening, which was quite the opposite of my dinner in 2020. I will chalk it up to an off evening and hope that others celebrating have a positive experience.
Until Next Time!