Last night was the revealing of a new restaurant concept from the creators of Alinea in Chicago.  The restaurant NEXT will be opening this fall, and form the advertising video I want a ticket.  Yes I want a ticket, not a reservation.  The concept is to take you to a time and place in important culinary history such as Paris 1912, Hong Kong 2036, Edo period Japan, Sicily 1949, to name a few time periods being advertised.  Every period will be open for a season, and I'm guessing once that period is done it will not be repeated for a long time.  The projected plan is to serve 4 star food at 3 star prices, as a prix-fixe price between $40-75, with alcohol supplements starting at $25, for a 5-6 course meal.  The pricing plan is based on the idea of airfare tickets, since their goal is to take you in history or the future through food.  Buying tickets at peak times like holidays, weekend evenings will be more expensive then now peak times like a Wednesday evening.  If you make a unplanned visit to Chicago and want to get a ticket, there will be two walk-in tables available.  And if your a Chicago regular you can get discounted tickets if you purchase tickets for all four seasons at once. 

Also, set to open from the Alinea crew is a concept "bar" without bartenders, called Aviary.  No you do not get to pour your own alcohol or have alcohol vending machines.  The drinks will be prepared by the kitchen staff, along with a bite to eat paired with the drink.  I LOVE THIS CONCEPT.  The bar will not take reservations, and will have a mixture of classic drinks, NEXT themed drinks, and innovative cocktails.