The inside scoop on what’s hot and happening this season
Jeong {1460 West Chicago Avenue; 312.877.5016}: Following the success of their acclaimed chef-driven restaurant Hanbun, Chef Dave Park and Jen Tran have opened their second concept. Jeong has a dual meaning for this couple: It’s Chef Park’s grandmother’s maiden name, but it also holds significance in Korean culture. “Jeong” is a certain kind of love that builds a soulful connection and bonds people—something that the couple hopes to convey through their food and warm hospitality. The restaurant offers a seven-course tasting menu (with favorites like Salmon Tartare and Beef Cap with kimchi-truffle emulsion) as well as à la carte options. While Park mans the kitchen, Tran fosters a welcoming front-of-house experience for guests in the restaurant’s Korean-inspired dining room. Think traditionally-inspired uniforms, Korean rice paper wall dividers, and hammered brass lighting.
Restaurants at The Hoxton, Chicago {200 North Green Street; 312.761.1700}: This past spring, Boka Restaurant Group opened three concepts in partnership with The Hoxton, Chicago: Cabra, a Peruvian-inspired restaurant by Chef Stephanie Izard on the rooftop; Cira, a modern Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Chris Pandel on the ground floor; and Lazy Bird, an intimate cocktail bar, tucked away on the lower level of the hotel. Between these three distinct dining and drink destinations, guests can find something truly unique to fit their tastes. Cabra’s vibrant, colorful decor is the ideal backdrop for a lively dining experience, with bold and bright shareable plates and a six-seat ceviche bar. Cira serves as an all-day eatery, with small, shareable plates brought to life via herbs, spices, and food preparations unique to their Mediterranean regions. And the stylish Lazy Bird boasts an impressive list of 52 classic drinks—one to get you through each week of the year.
Yolk – Lincoln Park {1504 North Fremont Avenue; 773.382.3448}: Chicago’s home for brunch just opened its ninth location this spring. After growing up in his family’s restaurants as a child and working his way up the industry ladder, Lincoln Park resident and Yolk founder Taki Kastanis knew that he was destined to become a restaurateur. Not long after the first location launched in the South Loop, the Yolk concept quickly became known and beloved by locals and tourists alike. His newest Lincoln Park location brings a unique design that gives guests plenty to admire as they dine, with high bow truss ceilings and modern furniture to elevate the interior. Look for Yolk’s signature gourmet five-egg rolled omelette, a wide range of skillets and scramblers, mouthwatering Red Velvet French Toast, Nutella Crêpes, and plenty more scrumptious offerings, along with all-star menu items from the restaurant’s inventive Test Kitchen located in Bucktown.
Galit {2429 North Lincoln Avenue; 773.360.8755}: “The magic of eating in Israel is going to someone’s house, enjoying enormous spreads of food and great wine with good company,” says James Beard Foundation Award-winning Chef Zachary Engel, who serves as both Executive Chef and Owner of Galit. And this intimate experience is exactly what Galit aims to deliver. Inspired by Engel’s travels to Israel and Co-Owner Andrés Clavero’s Palestinian heritage, Galit offers a focused approach to the immigrant cuisines of Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as a stellar wine and cocktail selection. Local and seasonal ingredients are the stars here, and everything is prepared in an open kitchen made to showcase Galit’s wood-fired pita oven and charcoal hearth. The menu is broken down into three sections—starters (think hummus aplenty), salatim (the traditional Israeli course of cold dishes), and “(mostly) Over Coals,” which includes heartier dishes like coal-fired veggies, falafel, chicken, lamb, and steak.
Entente {700 North Sedgwick Street; 312.285.2247}: Open since 2016, Entente has established itself as a Michelin-starred neighborhood dining adventure. A partnership between Principal Ty Fujimura and Chef Brian Fisher, Entente features refined, ever-changing contemporary cuisine and a thoughtful craft beverage program. The casual fine dining restaurant offers an à la carte menu or an option to reserve Chef Fisher’s tasting menu. This spring, Entente relocated to River North, and its new American craftsman-style space highlights a fresh, urban design that focuses on natural elements paired with industrial touches. “This move expands on the true idea behind our concept,” says Chef Fisher. “The space itself is really beautiful and as a chef, the ability to build out a dream kitchen means that we have the chance to push the boundaries of our cooking even further.”
Politan Row Chicago {111 North Aberdeen Street; 312.278.3040}: Politan Row Chicago offers all-day dining, counter-side service, and a variety of seating options to allow guests to dine, grab a drink, work, or simply relax. Core to the brand’s mission of creating opportunities for chefs to showcase their creativity, the space features a hand-picked selection of 12 local chef-driven concepts and culinary tastemakers. Piko Street Kitchen, Thattu, Passion House Coffee, Floriole, Bumbu Roux, and LaShuk Street Food all help to make this a one-of-a-kind destination, where guests can get anything from Asian street food to freshly baked French pastries. Politan Row Chicago also features Bar Politan, an inviting craft cocktail bar anchoring the center of the space, and Perle, a German-inspired outdoor beer garden.
VAJRA {1329 West Chicago Avenue; 312.929.4990}: VAJRA serves up tastefully adapted Nepalese and Indian cuisine. This restaurant believes in celebrating good food with the best people above all else. Here you’ll find rustic, contemporary decor and an understated elegance that captures all five senses. This idea makes its way from the ambiance right to the plate, building on simple flavors with rich aromas and carefully chosen punctuations of spice. The perfect marriage of flavor and aroma comes together via fresh and local produce, a point of pride for VAJRA. By selecting reputable, local purveyors, they ensure the finest dishes for their guests. Don’t miss the Original Samosa Chaat or Tandoori Venison with young papaya rub and smoked Makhani.
CDA {20 East Chestnut Street; 312.324.4063}: Helmed by Executive Chef John Taus, the new CDA dining experience at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile was developed as a neighborhood meeting place, offering a communal ambiance and shared plates, inspired by all that the Mediterranean region has to showcase. CDA highlights dishes that artfully blend classic culinary techniques with modern trends that the contemporary diner expects from their experience. For a truly indulgent and uniquely Sofitel culinary voyage around the Mediterranean, try items like a Lobster & Asparagus Omelette for breakfast, perfectly baked Falafel on a Demi-Baguette for lunch, and a shared Grilled Octopus with Chickpeas and Calabrian chilies for dinner. Patrons will notice that the space feels lighter and more inviting thanks to a number of thoughtful changes to the restaurants interior.
Osteria del Pastaio {1154 West Fulton Market; 312.226.6898}: An osteria in Italy was originally a place serving wine and simple food. With its brand new second location, Osteria Del Pastaio breathes new life into this traditional concept, with simple, fresh ingredients brought front and center. True to form, Osteria’s artisan pastas are made daily, their breads are freshly baked each morning, and their seasonal desserts are each made by hand. The team’s passion for quality ingredients shines in every dish, from the Pappardelle with duck ragout to the Pecorino al Tartufo Nero (pasta served in a 50-pound pecorino wheel). For lunch, guests can enjoy a selection of sandwiches or a daily special with a soup/salad and pasta of the day addition from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. Happy hour drink specials are generous, with plenty of wine options to complement your meal.
ROOH Chicago {736 West Randolph; 312.459.7750}: Look to ROOH for progressive Indian fare on Restaurant Row. With Executive Chef Sujan Sarkar and Chef de Cuisine Sahil Sethi at the helm, ROOH will offer up charming, seasonal dishes that serve as an interpretation of customary Indian sensibilities and international techniques. By combining the best of Indian flavors and local Chicago ingredients, ROOH guarantees an unforgettable dining experience. Specialties include the Paneer Pinwheel, with a roulade of nuts and marinated cottage cheese served with Makhani sauce and fenugreek, and the Achari Monkfish, wrapped in a bamboo leaf and served with Kerala Allepey curry. ROOH’s cocktail list will feature drinks inspired by ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and the six tastes, or rasas: sweet, sour, salty, pungent, astringent, and bitter, mixing Indian spices and house-made shrubs with regional spirits.
By Alexis Methven
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