One of the biggest highlights of my recent trip to Chicago was dining at Michelin-star restaurant Temporis; after all, Temporis is just one of only 23 restaurants in Chicago to hold this coveted distinction. What’s more, I knew going in that Chef Troy Jorge would create some of the most beautiful dishes I’ve ever seen. That’s because this elite chef and I follow each other on Instagram. As a result, I’ve seen many of his masterful creations on his and the restaurant’s social media pages. With this in mind, please take a look at some of his most dazzling expressions of contemporary American cuisine. By the same token, you can see what you can expect from a Michelin-star restaurant in Chicago.
Temporis
933 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-4961
Seasonal Tasting Menu $195, Wine Pairing $115, $175, $325, Sprit Free Pairing $75
Chef Troy’s current seasonal tasting menu features 10 extraordinary dishes that push the boundaries of creation and taste. However, Chef Troy took my culinary experience at Temporis to an even higher level, with not 10, but 13 dishes. That’s not to mention the complimentary wine pairing and some noticeable upgraded ingredients. Be that as it may, there is no doubt your dishes will be just as enticing as any of mine. In light of this, I’ll try to focus on items that appear on the current menu. On the other hand, there are a few that deserve additional merit. As much as this tasting menu will exceed your expectations, please know that a new seasonal tasting menu may appear very soon. Despite this, you will not be disappointed.
Reference: For additional information on this incredible Chicago Michelin-starred restaurant and Executive Chef Troy Jorge, please see below for a story I published last year.
Related: Q&A: Chef Troy Jorge of Temporis
Selections From Temporis’ Michelin Star Seasonal Tasting Menu
Canapés
Chef Troy starts off your immersive Chicago Michelin star experience with a trio of canapés and a vial of hibiscus tea. Although my items were slightly different, you can expect a delicious morsel of wagyu wonton and premium Osetra caviar. The hibiscus tea also had an intriguing presentation, with a chemistry lab-like vial supported by a metal stand and stone base. Consider pairing these bite-sized gourmet items with the superb champagne blend from Champagne Louis Nicaise. Similarly, you can always check with the sommelier for any of your wine selections, whether you like elegant, opulent, etc.
Foie Gras
There is a very good chance that you have never tried foie gras such as this. In this case, a delicate foie gras parfait will be served inside an eggshell. For this reason, you’ll have to be careful when placing your spoon through this delectable treat. Once you get past the thin blueberry powder, enjoy the incredible flavors of blueberry, granola, and Yuzu fruit. There is no doubt that you’ll agree that it’s superb. In fact, it’s one of the more memorable highlights of this Michelin Star evening, which is full of gourmet surprises.
Caviar
One dish that wasn’t on the seasonal menu but worthy of mentioning is Chef Troy’s Caviar. Indicative of the Michelin Star quality of the cuisine, Caviar is a tantalizing variation of the Vietnamese dessert Chè chuối. Remarkably tasty and inventive, it’s a gourmet soup with Thai banana, tapioca, lime gel, and splashes of coconut cream. It’s also coupled with a miso banana bread crouton, edible floral accents, and, of course, your caviar. Lastly, it features a chili oil dash, contributing to its savory edge. Caviar can be paired with Bourgogne-Aligoté, a white wine from the Bourgogne appellate region in France.
Related: Affordable Michelin Restaurants In San Francisco
Tomato
Although each item is as delicious as it’s delightful, I’m hopeful that Tomato or its variation will appear in the next tasting menu. That’s because of its vividly colorful presentation and an item bursting with natural flavors. This offering is a yellow tomato gazpacho with a flavorful brioche, cucumbers and basil. On the other hand, it’s a supremely elevated version, precision-crafted inside a lowball cocktail glass. Tomato pairs exceptionally well with the sweet, golden-colored Kracher wine from Burgenland, Austria.

Corn
The simplicity of its name belies its true intentions. Indeed, corn is truly one of Chef Troy’s signature dishes. Indeed, it’s so enticing that it’s the first dish lauded in the Chicago Michelin Guide’s Point of View in the section on Temporis. A very playful take on an American staple, your star chef will bring out this dish with a lather of butter amid sprinkles of Espelette pepper. But the proverbial icing on the cake is when the chef grates a generous amount of black summer truffle. Lastly, don’t forget to sample the husk, as it’s also deliciously edible.
Basil (Mousse)
The last of the 10 items from the seasonal tasting menu, but certainly not the least, is the Basil dessert. Although Chef Troy came out with one last surprise dessert, Basil stood out among the dessert creations. A decadently delicious finale, Basil has dark chocolate, black mint, Meyer lemon gelée, and chocolate crumbs. That’s to say nothing of the finely placed basil leaves and additional accents. After it’s brought to your table, the chef or your server will then pour warm dark chocolate across a portion of this delicacy. This lofty grand finale is another example of why Temporis has consistently been awarded a Michelin star in Chicago. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised if a second Michelin star is eventually bestowed upon Temporis restaurant. After all, Chef Troy’s cooking is certainly worth a detour and maybe even a special journey. He is truly a master of gastronomy and someone worthy of further accolades.
Synopsis
As the syndicated national travel writer for CBS, I’ve had the pleasure of dining at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including one in Chicago. That’s not to mention several more that feature a James Beard Award-winning chef. However, in terms of quality of cooking and presentation, I have not had a better dining experience than at Temporis. Although my days with CBS have passed, I feel truly fortunate to still dine at some of the finest restaurants in America.
Parting Gifts From Temporis
One last thing I want to point out is a black Temporis box brought to the table at the conclusion of the evening. This box contained a list of the August 31 Seasonal Menu and three additional food items. Moreover, it had a list of the wine pairings and parting gifts. In detail, it contained green tea from Chicago’s Rare Tea Cellar, a tasty mini chocolate glazed donut, and Persian watercress seeds.
Related: Chicago CityPASS: Save On Top Attractions
About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.

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