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The Knockturnal attended the βHot Dog High Teaβ with CHAIN in Los Angeles, the innovative pop-up food experienceΒ founded by B.J. Novak and Michelin-starred chef Tim Hollingsworth.Β
CHAIN elevates fan-favorite fast food dishes with gourmet standards, and the βHot Dog High Teaβ took a new spin on 8 beloved Chicago flavors in partnership with Portilloβs and Jameson Black Barrel. Β
The ambiance held all the comforts of chain restaurant classics β arcade games, dim lighting, neon signs, red checkered tablecloths, custom games, buzzers to signify when youβre tableβs ready β with undeniably creative decor that transforms the restaurant to a full-fledged immersive experience. You enter through a hidden red door and emerge into a colorful, art-forward atmosphere playing homage to famous fast food spots. Guests immediately feel both right at home and on the ground floor of something new and exciting.
The unique, expertly curated menu from CHAIN took a sophisticated spin on Portilloβs classics, and the bites were served on a three-tier high tea platter. The menu included The Chicago Pup (a Vienna beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun with Chainβs Haute Dog Relishβ’, umami celery salt, and a tiny dill spear),Β The Italian Beef & Truffle (a marinated ribeye, truffle giardiniera, provolone, shaved truffles, and Jameson Black Barrel), TheBBQ Chicken Tea Sandwich (smoked chicken thigh with Jameson Black Barrel BBQ sauce on milk bread),Β Salt & Pepper PizzelleΒ (a new take on Portilloβs crinkle fries with savory tomato jam), Portilloβs Cheese GougΓ¨res (fluffy bites brushed with clarified butter and filled with Portilloβs signature cheese), A Chocolate Croissant (emulated Portilloβs eclair cake with a Jameson Black Barrel-infused filling), Strawberry Shortcake Sandwich (black pepper biscuits with a Jameson Black Barrel Chantilly cream), and the Chocolate Cake (a decadent classic complemented with a Jameson Black Barrel caramel glaze).Β
Themed cocktails from Jameson Black Barrel were also served upon arrival and throughout the meal, including the Honey Crisp Apple Old Fashioned, the Warm Milk Punch, the Black Barrel Julep, and the Black Barrel Carbonated Tea. Each completed the flavors of the CHAIN bites and tied in the whole meal as a simultaneous nostalgic celebration and luxury culinary experience.Β
Notable attendees of the event included Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Chief Keef, Katie Maloney, Dayna Kathan, Ryan Cabrera, Lexie Bliss, Kelly Rizzo, Jack Martin, Gray Fagan, Wes Armstrong, Brandi King, Kai Kaster, Natalie Alyn Lind, Grays World, among others.Β
