Back in 2008, my wife Denise and I were able to get a free dinner at a Chicago restaurant that was just about to launch, called ZED451, in the swanky River North part of the city. While the restaurant is no longer there, at the time, this upscale dining establishment wasn't even officially open for business yet, and that had everything to do with how we got to eat there at no charge. It's not uncommon for some of the hip new restaurants to have a few pre-opening night practice runs at service so the staff and equipment can be tested in real time action for real life customers like me.

The idea of not charging pioneer customers to the restaurant possibly pays off because then those customers go on to tell all their friends about the great time they had at this great new place. Some might even blog about it. This whole concept of course hinges on that experience being worth talking about, and such is exactly the case with ZED451 in Chicago at 739 N. Clark Street.

Denise and I got a tour of the roof patio and the kitchen, plus we ate like kings and queens as if it were a great banquet for two. What was so unique about this place was that there was no menu to order off of. Rather, there is a small platoon of friendly cooks that personally prepare meat, fish and chicken and then immediately go table-to-table asking who wants what they have just cooked. As if that weren't enough, the waiter first directs you to areas they call "harvest tables." These are loaded with the very best and most delicious pastas, salads, cheeses, breads and I'm sure much more. The food was so good that I found myself compelled to find the cook who personally served my meal and thank him for the best dish I ever had in my entire life. That's a big deal because my wife herself is a great cook too.

It was among this $50 per meal environment, in between dessert bites, that I opened up the ArtRage software on my old Samsung Q1 Ultra Premium Mobile PC, and made a lively color drawing to commemorate the experience. My subject, naturally, was of Denise at the table while a waiter was doing an impromptu dance in the background--while holding a big platter of food. When I told my wife what was going on behind her, she said, "Why would a waiter be dancing behind me? That's just ridiculous."

Everyone there, workers and guests, appeared to be genuinely happy and hopeful. Those serving were glad to serve. Those eating, of course, were more than glad to eat meals that left nothing to be desired. The owner was gleefully going around asking people how they were doing and told us the concept behind the eating experience they were aiming for with customers; "Imagine you're at your home, the whole family is over barbecuing and everyone is involved and comfortable. That's what we're going for here at ZED451." The owner heard nothing but gratitude and compliments from us. He told us his name, yet all I can remember is that it wasn't "Zed."

There was some point in the evening where I told my wife, "You know, now I can relate even more to when Jesus describes heaven as a great banquet in the Bible." We were so grateful to be eating in the strangely named ZED451 that more than a few times that night we wondered, "What have we done to deserve such fine treatment, amazing food and beautiful surroundings? Surely this can only be a gift from God almighty!"