top picks Alinea, Chicago Alinea, Chicago (Oct 2014) 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614Oct 2014Three MICHELIN StarsTasting MenuCourse #1: Ostera (traditional)Chef's Challenge for us - Can you find your food?, Course #2: Salsify (branch camouflage)Course #3: Skate (brown butter, lemon, herbs), Course #4: Pebble (ebi, ogo, clam shells)Course #5: Corn (truffle, manchego, sherry)Course #6: Trout (white pepper, vietnamese coriander, broccoli)Course #7: Lily Bulb (rambutan, distillation of caviar lim), Course #8: Matsutake (pine, huckletberry, tapioca)Mysterious charcoal. 'pay no attention to it', they said, Course #9: Pork Belly (parsnip, black trumpet, kombu)Course #10: Hot Potato (cold potato, black truffle, butter), Course #11: Squab (beet, orange, dark flavors)Course #12: Squash (ashed goat cheese, cranberry, licorice graffiti), Course #13: Blueberry (bubblegum, lilac, sorrel)Course #14: Balloon (helium, green apple), Course #15: Tropical Fruit (rum, vanilla, kaffir lime), French Pressed Coffee