Sifr
Day 1: 5-Course Nouveau Middle Eastern Tasting Series
Opened in 2023, this Middle Eastern eatery was named to Infatuation’s 2024 List of “Best in River North” and received a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand award. Culinary Director Sahil Sethi, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and ROOH Chicago, is the mentee of Chef Sujan Sarker, who brought him into INDIENNE, the first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Chicago (and one that the Robb Report named to its List of the “10 Best New Restaurants in America"). At Sifr, which is Arabic for “zero,” the two chefs have devised a Middle Eastern menu that highlights dishes cooked over a charcoal and wood-fired hearth. Here, diners find dishes like charred carrots with smoked labneh, halloumi with beets and date molasses, grilled kebabs of chicken, lamb, and beef, branzino with tahini and pilaf, and outrageous desserts like pistachio semifreddo with rose syrup and warm date pudding with salted caramel ice cream. Chicago Tribune salutes Sifr’s “flawless execution” and notes its view, calling it “one of the best perches to admire the city.” So there is much to love here, and that’s why we’re very excited about our visit. Hope you’ll join us!
About the Host:
Sahil Sethi
Chef/Culinary Director
Born in India and a previous inhabitant of the United Arab Emirates, Chef Sahil Sethi is a Culinary Institute of America graduate. A former Head Chef at ROOP Chicago, in addition to having previously honed his craft at Olive Bar & Kitchen and The St, he is the mentee of Chef Sujan Sarker, who brought him into INDIENNE, the first Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Chicago.
The Lineup
Courses #1, #4 & #5 will be individually plated; courses #2 & #3 will be served family-style. This menu will be Mushroom & Shellfish Free. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Mezze & Pita
cannellini bean hummus, sweet & sour squash, potato crisps, roasted pepper & walnut dip
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Halloumi & Beet
halloumi cheese, date molasses, beetroot, peppercorn vinaigrette, dill
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Grilled Branzino
chermoula sauce, grilled lemon
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Braised Lamb Shank
persian berry pilaf, pine nut, sumac onion, parsley
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Date Pudding
salted caramel ice cream, caramel
Sifr
660 N Orleans St
Chicago, IL 60654
Event FAQs
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Dairy, Gluten, Fish, Nut. They are NOT accommodating restrictions related to the following ingredients: Chives, Raw Garlic, Cooked Onion. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
