Serious Eats
How to Survive a Tasting Menu in Six Easy Steps
"Three: Don't go in hungry. The last thing you want to do is show up ravenous at Charlie Trotter's and dive headfirst into the bread plate. Have a protein-rich breakfast and a light lunch, and snack if you're hungry. The key to the tasting menu is pacing yourself, and that's hard to do if you're ready to gnaw off your own arm before you've even left the coat check." [MenuPages Chicago]