Chicagoist Food Pr0n (Chef's Edition): From the Lens of Carnivale's Mark Mendez

California sea bass, tomato chile broth, heirloom carrot escabeche (Mark Mendez)

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There are chefs who are instantly recognized by name and chefs that make amazing food who fly under the radar. One of our favorites who fall in the latter category is Mark Mendez of Carnivale. The Fulton Market restaurant, like most Jerry Kleiner properties, has an interior that is reminiscent of Lewis Carroll on mushrooms and it takes a very skilled chef to write and execute a menu that compliments and rises above the décor.

Bridgeport native Mendez has never failed to impress or surprise us with his cooking. A frequent shopper at Green City and other farmers markets, Mendez maintains a flickr page that one could easily waste a few hours browsing. We asked Mendez for permission to run some photos to give readers a representation of what he's doing in the kitchen and he readily agreed. We put together nine of our favorite shots of culinary erotica and snuff for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy and, if you like what you see, head to Carnivale to eat some of Mendez's cooking.

Carnivale is located at 702 W. Fulton Market. 312-850-5005