D.C. “Fete Select TV” Crenshaw, NBC5 Street Team
A month before my second wedding anniversary I was trying to decide what I would do for my wife. Of course our first year anniversary was special, but my goal was to make our second year just as memorable. My new Facebook friend, Pam Spritz, is a sassy, cute, and energetic mother and grandmother. Our connection came through the birth of my son Tru on August 5th and her granddaughter Sunney Lou on August 6th. Pam also has a son, Jordan, the founder and Executive Chef of Jordan’s Food of Distinction (JFOD). He asked to cook for my wife and I on our anniversary and what followed was the best dining experience ever!
JFOD is in an unassuming location on Thomas St. near Ashland and W. Division St. The dining room and kitchen are open and connected. The room is intimate, homey, quaint and exudes food. I never imagined upon my arrival that such a modest spot would leave us with an incredible experience. We were their special guests for the evening. A table set for two complete with candles and a flower arrangement created by Pam that reflected my wife’s wedding bouquet. Cocktails, wine, and champagne flowed steadily. A dining scene that heightened all of our senses. The eight courses prepared for us were stunning and included “Marinated Hawaiian Black Fin Tuna and Japanese Day Boat Hamachi”, “Pan Roasted Diver Caught Scallops with Slow Poached Fresh Water Baby Rock Shrimp”, “Crispy Soft Shell East Coast Whole Crab” and “Extra Virgin Oil Poached Artic Salmon”. The dessert, “Candied Fresh Ginger and Warm Brazilian Mango”, was ridiculously good.
Jordan customizes his cuisine to individuals. He actually interrogates his clients about their likes, dislikes, lifestyle etc. He wanted to know who we were, which allowed him to create and produce a menu that evening that hit home and provided a unique dining experience. His inspiration came from two famous Chefs, Charlie Trotter and Rocco Dispirito. Trotter taught him quality vs. quickness and Dispirito helped him to respect ingredients that come from farms.
JFOD is non traditional in their approach to dining. Although we had many courses, they don’t matter here. It all depends on what the customer wants and likes. The more pickier the customer and the more challenging the task, the more excited Jordan becomes. For example, he once prepared a meal for a Japanese company that wanted 15 different dishes that represented the flavors of 15 different countries where they were located. The client has been a repeat customer ever since.
JFOD, on any given week, has artistic chefs from top Chicago restaurants such as Alinea, Trotter’s, Moto, and NoMi that help out in the kitchen . Jordan wants his clients to feel that they had the perfect meal, at the perfect time, in the perfect place, during the perfect season. He wants his cuisine to reflect everything about life and the bubble that surrounds them at that moment. Everything that represents that meal.
JFOD can host up to 75 people for a cocktail party and 2 – 40 people for a sit down dinner. If you want a dining experience customized to your palate, then JFOD is a must try.
Jordan’s Food of Distinction, 1551 Thomas Street, Chicago, IL. www.jfod.com (773) 278-8111