Chicago, IL (RestaurantNews.com) Saigon Sisters is excited to introduce their “Special Duckavore Menu” in honor of Valentine’s Day. Available on February 11th, 13th and 14th, the four-course menu from Mary Nguyen Aregoni and chef Matt Riordan features a whole roast duck, with its components split among three of the menu’s four courses. “Duck is a unique dish, and fun to share,” says Aregoni. “It’s certainly more exciting than chicken.” Utilizing almost every possible part of the duck, the chefs have not only made a decadent meal from the bird, but they’ve also offered a pairing of extremely small-vintage wines showcasing the best of French organic and biodynamic production. The meal is priced at $49 per person (tax and gratuity not included), with wine pairings available for $40 per person. (Reservations are available now).
The meal begins with a smoked duck papaya salad. In addition to an oil-free ginger nuoc cham dressing, Thai basil, and freshly ground peanuts, the salad gets an extra rush of flavor from a crispy confit of duck tongue. It is paired with the lovely 2009 Jean-Yves Peron “Cotillon des Dames”. This organic French white’s rustic charm comes from its time aging under voile, in which the wine is exposed until a protective layer of yeast forms on the surface. Add a lack of sulfur dioxide, minimal filtration, and the result is a wild and bright wine – hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, plantain, and a kick of salinity perfectly cleanse the palate for the next bite.
The second course moves things into richer territory. A traditional dumpling soup is is given a French twist – the wontons are stuffed with foie gras simmered in a duck broth, then drizzled with duck fat chili oil. Paired with the 2009 Barmes-Buecher “Rosenberg” – a biodynamically grown Alsatian Pinot Blanc – the savory heat of the dish becomes quite manageable when paired with the rich stone fruits and bright acidity of this full-bodied white.
For the third course (and main event), Saigon Sisters serves up the duck itself – roasted in five spice rub with Chinese broccoli, and presented atop a bed of “Lucky Fried Rice” filled with duck eggs, hearts, and gizzards. For the wine pairing, the 2009 Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Cotes-du-Rhone is a beauty from southeastern Valreas. Displaying almost no oak, the grapes are given full reign to show off an array of flavors: dark cherries, licorice, spice and cherry blossoms.
The meal ends with a yuzu shu sorbet, a potent citrus liqueur made into a soft palate-cleansing treat. A pot of Rooibos tea offers a pleasant herbal tea to soothe your body after the meal, and some bubbles cap off the evening: the Bordelet “Poire Authentique”. This sparkling organic pear cider is complex and mature, showing not only structured tannin and acidity, but also a mature sweetness unmatched in any American ciders. It’s a perfect note to end the meal with, and a fine opportunity to share a toast with your loved one.
For more information, please visit http://www.saigonsisters.com.
Saigon Sisters Restaurant
567 W. Lake Street
Chicago IL 60661
773-383-8828