Chicagoland Elites Feast ala Earth. Ocean. Yelp. @E+O Food and Drink

Chicagoland's finest fleet of Elites started August off right with just a hint of summer sun, a bit of booze, and three courses worth of exquisite edibles in the Northwest 'burbs chic-est eatery for Earth. Ocean. Yelp @E+O Food and Drink in Mount Prospect.

Chicagoland Elites kicked off the evening with Watermelon Storm cocktails and hors d'oeuvres on Mount Prospect's most palatial patio as the sun began to set, Elites were just getting started inside E+O's modern communal barscape with a three-coursed
meal created by world-renowned Executive Chef Rodelio Aglibot a.k.a. The
Food Buddha.

Over the course of the evening, Elites took a tasting tour of E+Os signature dishes with a menu decorated with delicious dishes and drinks including…

Cocktail and Hors D'oeuvres on Patio
// Specialty Cocktail :: watermelon storm ::
// Two Way Potato Tarte :: potato puree :: goat cheese ::
// Braised Short Rib Crostini :: sour cream :: chimichurri ::
// True Crab California Roll :: snow crab :: avocado :: cucumber :: nori ::

Main Three-Coursed Meal
** First Course **
// Earth Salad :: spring mix :: kaffir :: cilantro :: mint :: pickled tomato :: honey pomegranate vinaigrette ::
// Smoked Pea Hummous :: fried curry cauliflower :: toasted almonds ::

** Second Course **
// 8oz Gaucho Rib Eye :: paprika cumin potatoes :: fried egg :: chimichurri
// Jumbo Prawns :: Japanese egg yolk sauce :: shiitake fried rice ::

**Sides**
// Asparagus :: pecorino :: lemon :: evoo

** Chef's Choice Dessert **

// House-Baked Cookies and Coconut Carrot Cake Balls

You can read all the reviews HERE and spy a few of our favorite quotes from the event below:

"The food seemed to get better and better as the evening progressed. The
Smoke Pea Hummous with fried cauliflower was almost too beautiful to
eat, and the Earth Salad was so refreshing! The main course was outstanding: the Jumbo Prawns with shiitake fried
rice was delicious, but the Gaucho Ribeye (with fried egg and potatoes!)
was so succulent it cut like buttah." ~ Jennifer P

"The restaurant is just so lovely. Kind of zen, soft colors contrasting
with dark wood. Service was so professional. The atmosphere really made
for a great night of conversation and making new Yelp friends!" ~ Aimee M

"The Earth Salad began our first course. A cool spring mix of lettuce,
cilantro, mint, and tomatoes. A light honey pomegranate vinaigrette
dressed this perfect summer salad nicely." ~ Victoria H

"As I went outside to mingle, There were a bunch of lounge chairs and
couches near a Masonic Temple of a fireplace that is sure to keep you
nice and toasty on those brisk July nights. I was greeted with True Crab
California rolls that were just as tasty as any other sashimi I've had." ~ Karl M

"E+O is a sleek and sophisticated spot that you would probably never
expect at a suburban mall.
The menu has a great mix of Asian and American influences" ~ Renita M

"Everything served had great and interesting flavors, but the Asparagus
with pecorino, the Gaucho Ribeye with chimichurri and the Smoked Pea
Hummus stood out for me, and they showcased the global flavors E+O is
all about. There were even Goji Berries in the Earth Salad–what a
pleasant surprise!" ~ Veronica X

"After spending the past couple weeks in Asia, prawns were on my mind and
in comparison to the ones I ate straight from the fishermen in Hong
Kong… these were fantastic… and didn't have the heads and eyes
attached… a good thing my friends!" ~ Taylor M

"Jumbo shrimp with Japanese egg yolk sauce and shiitake fried rice. The
shrimp were butterflied and nicely cooked, and who can say no to a nice,
eggy sauce? Not me. I'm the girl who almost always has to do any fried
rice she makes Thai-style — that is, with a fried egg on top, with a
nicely runny yolk so it deliquesces into the rice and makes it all
heavenly. Needless to say, that shrimp hit some happy buttons for me." ~ Janni V

Thanks to the 2013 Yelp Chicagoland Elite Squad for coming out and a BIG THANKS to the entire staff & crew at E+O Food and Drink for the unforgettable evening of irresistible bites.

A extra special thanks to photographer & videographer Andres D for capturing all of the night's Elite attendees and picture perfect plates. You can check out all of the night's memorable moments (thanks to the swift click of Andres' camera) right HERE and the video right HERE.