At 6:30 p.m. on May 12 calls of “Salute” and “Itadakimasu” will be heard from Chicago River North Japanese steak, seafood, and sushi spot, Roka Akor, as the restaurant hosts a Cross-Cultural Collaboration Dinner with Osteria Langhe, the Logan Square neighborhood gem best known for its seasonal Piemontese fare.
Roka Akor’s Corporate Chef Ce Bian opens his kitchen for the first time to Osteria Langhe’s Executive Chef/Owner Cameron Grant, where the two will create a six-course, prix fixe crossover menu using techniques true to their respective historic roots—Japanese robatayaki and Italian handmade noodle-making, accompanied by dishes and drinks special to each homeland—Japanese sake and sushi, alongside Italian wines and meats.
The beverage pairings for the night have been curated by Roka Akor regional general manager and sommelier, Steve Tindle, and Osteria Langhe co-owner and expert of Italy’s Piemonte region, Aldo Zaninotto.
The dinner menu is as follows:
Course One, Roka Akor
Ume Marinated Foie Gras Torchon with nori bread & pickled pearl onions
2009 Contratto Millesimato Brut Rose, Costigliole d’Asti, Piemonte Italy
Course Two, Osteria Langhe
Polipo: Kabuto Grilled Octopus with fingerling potatoes & salsa verde
2013 Malvira, Roero Arneis, Piemonte, Italy
Course Three, Roka Akor
Chef Selection Nigiri
Hon Maguro with Osetra caviar, Shima-Aji with ginger & scallion, Ora King Salmon with yuzu shallot, Live Scallop Crudo with XO sauce & hokkaido uni
2014 Arcese Bera e Figli, Asti, Piemonte, Italy
Course Four, Osteria Langhe
Tajarin: Italian Noodles with Wagyu Cheeks, porcini mushrooms, cured egg yolk, & leek truffle brodo
Kenbishi, Silk Road, Honjozo, Hyoga, Japan
Course Five, Roka Akor
Grilled Duck Breast with morel mushrooms & pickled ramps
2009 Piero Benevelli,”Ravera Di Monforte”, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy
Dessert, Osteria Langhe
Panna Cotta: Semolina Sesame Fritters with green tea & lime curd
Evoluzione Banzai Bunny Yuzu Sake, Umenoyado Nara, Japan
The collaboration dinner menu is priced at $191 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity), and tickets can be purchased via the Night Out website. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated directly to Pilot Light, a charity with a culinary mission to empower children to make healthier choices by strategically integrating food and nutrition education within school standards, curriculum, and culture.
Space is extremely limited, and advance ticket purchase is required.
