I am no doubt the luckiest girl in the world.. at least in terms of the husband I ended up marrying. So, oh, about four years ago I read this book called Lessons in Service by Charlie Trotter. My GM at Eddie V's requested I read it since I was delving into a new career as a restaurant manager. I started reading the book and simply became enthralled by it. I loved this man Charlie! I loved his concept on food, how he treated his employees, the importance of a great diner experience, and most importantly his desire to give back to his community. I simply can't capture all of my feelings about his concepts in words, you really just have to read the book. Whether you are a "foodie" or not, I highly recommend it. I would literally get off work at 3am and come home excited to read a few more chapters before dozing off. It was amazing. After reading his book I desperately wanted to go eat at Chef Trotter's restaurant and discussed with Brent my excitement and hopes, but oh, where to begin? In learning about his restaurant, Charlie Trotter's, I knew I would have to plan out pretty far in advance to ever eat there, for two reasons: 1) It is expensive and 2) some people literally make their reservations years in advance. I truly desired to go but as with some goals in life, the memory faded as I was engulfed in my own fast-paced restaurant life. I never totally forgot about that dream but in going back to work for the State, it wasn't exactly something my "public heath" feel good job could afford. Well four years later Brent got a job requiring some travel and ended up having to make a trip to Chicago. I had never been, so he invited me along for an extended weekend. A week or so before we are to leave I got an invite on my calendar to a dinner reservation at Charlie Trotter's. Unbelievable. How did he make this happen? Oh, I had no idea what all he had in store.
Brent not only obtained reservations on a Saturday night at 8:00pm BUT he managed to get us a wine tour, restaurant tour, a studio tour and the best of all a KITCHEN tour. It was questionable as to whether or not Charlie himself would be there but to my stuttering delight he was! THEN, not only did Charlie sign the two books I brought but he gave me two more and Sergio gave us an official Charlie Trotter wine tool, which I cherish. Oh, it's not over yet.... right before we were about to leave Chef Trotter came out and told us we were having lunch on him the next day at Trotter's To Go (Part Deux of this blog). The whole experience was simply amazing and unforgettable. Every time we would meet a new person on his staff you could tell they genuinely cared about your experience. They would ask you a question about your evening and patiently, with listening ears, wait for your answer. At first I thought maybe this was a Disney World type experience where everyone just put on their best smiles and faked it but by the end, I was convinced, this place is for real. Everything Charlie said in his book is real and I fell in love with all of it again. I've never felt more special in my life, possibly even including my wedding day. Sergio was the gentleman that Brent had been emailing with before we arrived and planning our experience; he also took us on tour of Charlie Trotter's. He was such a delight. During the tour he told us that he's been with Charlie Trotter's for 12 years and started there when he was 19, in the back of the house. He said he felt he had been given opportunities here that he probably wouldn't have gotten somewhere else. You could tell he truly loved it there and it showed in the pride he had with every new room we visited. I could go on and on but I'll end here and let you move to the dining experience if you wish, here. If you can't get through ALL the food I at least recommend reading course 6... it was a special moment that I'm happy to share. This was an experience which I'll probably never have again and one I will never forget. Thank you Charlie and Jesse, Sergio, and Christian and to the others who's names I didn't get, for an exceptional experience that truly exceeded all of my very elevated expectations. Forever your fan- Laura Louise Lane
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