Taste Charlie Trotter’s Legacy at Grant Achatz’s Next in Chicago

"For four months only, diners at Next in Chicago can step into a meticulously crafted homage to Charlie Trotter, led by Grant Achatz with front-of-house storytelling by Trotter’s son, Dylan. From September 8 to December 31, 2024, the experience leans into legacy over nostalgia: menus riff on Trotter’s cookbooks and old menus while Achatz aims to replicate dishes as closely as possible out of respect for the source. The room is set with memorabilia—old photos, menus, and special dishware—offering a rare glimpse into a pre-social-media dining era where evenings were ephemeral and remembered in stories. Dylan will share personal insights into his father’s philosophy, character, and heart, giving guests who never dined at Charlie Trotter’s the chance to feel a piece of it today. Expect an experience shaped with thoughtfulness and a lot of heart that honors someone who influenced much of what we see in dining now." - Michael He