Slow Food dinner at Uncommon Ground

July 29, 2:34 PMChicago Food ExaminerRebecca Wheeler

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Chicago Food Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Rooftop at Uncommon Ground /Photo by Rebecca Wheeler

The opening last winter of the new Uncommon Ground on Devon was highly anticipated in our house, as we live very nearby. While I have to say I miss the super low key coffee-house vibe of the Uncommon I used to frequent in Wrigleyville many years ago, I do appreciate the aesthetic and especially the values that drive this new Uncommon. I watched as the solar panels went up and four tons of soil were carried up to the just unveiled roof-top garden. The owners are committed to using sustainably produced foods where possible, supporting some of my favorite farms. Last night’s dinner featured the fruits of Seedling Farm, a regular at many local farmer’s markets, including my favorite, Green City.

A cocktail hour on the rooftop gave us a glimpse of the new garden space, which is filled with iron clad wood planting boxes. The boxes are on casters for easy moving and even have a built- in irrigation system. New plants are emerging from the boxes, with beans, tomatoes, peppers and more that will supply both restaurants. Jeanne Pinsof Nolan from The Organic Gardener consulted with Uncommon Ground owners Helen and Michael Cameron to design and execute the garden. On the far side off the roof (and away from the people) I even noticed a couple beehives, buzzing with life. It was a perfect Chicago evening and the white sangria with Seedling fruit and jazz trio certainly added to the festive mood. While the rooftop is not open to the public as a dining space, the plan is to use it as an educational garden, so I believe opportunities to see it will be available.

Dinner was carefully crafted-this much was obvious as the chef described the dishes. It showcased Seedling fruit with standout dishes like a buffalo mozzarella salad with peaches, baby arugula and house-cured crispy pancetta. The wild Alaskan salmon with cherry barbecue sauce was plank cooked on pear or cherry wood planks that chef Brian Millman obtained from Seedling and cured just for the event. Each course was paired with a drink; a particularly inspired pairing was a delicious melon infused vodka with a proscuitto rim (trust me, it was amazing) to go with a chilled melon soup. The meal was capped off with an outstanding gelato terrine from Black Dog Gelato. I will be counting down the days until pastry chef Jessie Oloroso opens her own shop (this fall it looks like). Until then, I can at least get some at Uncommon Ground.

Slow Food is an organization deserving of it’s own post, but for now just know that they host some great events around the city, and you do not have to be a member to enjoy some of them. I certainly think it’s a great organization to support though (individual memberships are $60/year).

Aside from a great meal on a beautiful night, it just excites me that more and more people are really passionate about the farm to table movement, and where their food comes from. I grew up in the culinary dark ages, when cream of mushroom soup was the beloved staple and Betty Crocker reigned supreme. To now have access to such fresh, vibrant food is worth celebrating, and I try to do so at events like this and each week at the farmers market and in my kitchen.