Chicago’s bars, baristas, and more are adding this herb into all your favorite dishes
Cypress Hill said “legalize it,” Peter Tosh said “don’t criticize it,” Martha Stewart calls it “sensible,” and 46 states (and growing) call some fashion of it “legal.” The “it” on the table is the subject of one of the forefront talks of the nation: cannabis.
Restaurateurs across Chicago and beyond have been leveraging the hemp-based CBD extraction for the overall well-being of their communities. This follows a series of piggy-backed moves to progress the laws of cannabis. And now, the advocated evolution for legalization of the ever gift-bearing plant has landed on the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
By the time you read this, select initiatives in the form of House and Senate bills will already have been proposed, with optimism to continue their journey until they reach the hands of Prairie State voters (queue-in the Schoolhouse Rock bill video). You might be better off connecting the dots between the O’Hare namesake and Al Capone, than untangling the changing legislation around cannabis. Good news is, CBD is legal and quite easy to digest.
Cannabis is the parent plant responsible for the familiar “high” effects caused by the chemical compound, THC, but it is also parent to the tranquil effects attributed to its chemical compound CBD, or cannabidiol. At current time, as long as the CBD-mix contains 0.03 percent or less of THC, it’s anyone’s game for public consumption.
Jason Erkes of Cresco Labs explains, “We have a variety of unique strains of cannabis that have been known to help relieve pain, anxiety, and insomnia,” and ultimately, “there’s no reason medicine has to taste bad.”
Emily Paulsen of LYFE Kitchen illuminates, “We work hard to research the latest and greatest healthful food trends, and only introduce products to our guests that we have tested, fallen in love with, and stand behind. CBD offers some real and intriguing health benefits. Multiple studies show clean CBD oil aids in relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety, alleviates depression, and increases focus—who among us couldn’t use help in at least one of those areas?” Continue learning from these two and more below, who have been using CBD just like they would any other age-old herb—to enhance their menu—while normalizing the stigma.
MINDY SEGAL & CRESCO LABS
Chef Mindy Segal is blazing trails in Chicago, leading one of the city’s top restaurants, earning James Beard Award stripes, and creating a flagship line of cannabis-infused desserts in sweet partnership with Cresco Labs. “Mindy is a chef first,” says Cresco Labs’ Jason Erkes. “Her priority is to make incredible tasting baked goods and candies that happen to have cannabis as an ingredient.” Cresco Labs is driven to professionalize cannabis, supporting industry regulations that provide safe, consistent, and quality edibles for consumers.
CBD infusions: Mindy’s Artisanal Edibles range from Milk Chocolate Peanut Brittle to a caramelized chocolate Marshmallow Graham with THC-clear distillate and CBD options; the Mindy’s Kitchen line is comprised of candies created with fellow chefs with varied types of THC and CBD oils.
THE SWILL INN {415 North Milwaukee Avenue; 312.526.3952}
The Swill Inn puts the “intimate” in comfort dining and moody lounging. The gastropub menu offers Southern favorites with global spins, the drink menu boasts a sizeable beer list and fresh cocktails, and the downstairs Chit Chat Lounge wraps it all up with sultry music. The Swill Inn team has and will continue to experiment with CBD desserts and is currently offering The Feel Good Mocha made with a hemp-derived CBD Isolate powder from Chicago’s Blue Harvest.
ENTENTE {700 North Sedgwick Street; 312.285.2247}
Entente is a Michelin-star and James Beard Award-winning cross-cultural eatery that weaves brain-busting yet simple ingredients from the kitchen to the bar. The beverage program, led by Bar Director Beau Kelly-Fontano, is overflowing with smart temptations, like shaking mezcal with honey and creating drinks named after Master P. Namely, the CBD-infused spirit-free beverage, 700 Club, “gives non-spirit imbibers the opportunity to wind down after a long day,” says Kelly-Fontano.
THE HOXTON, CHICAGO {200 North Green Street; 312.761.1700}
The Hoxton, Chicago recently opened one of its seven global locations in the culture-centric hub of the Fulton Market District. The hotel expresses an outfit of modern-comfort-meets-classic-vintage ambience, boasting three restaurants and a cafe. They create buzz for hotel guests and the public alike, by showcasing onsite workshops, education panels, DJ sets, and more.
CBD infusions: The lobby coffee bar welcomes travelers and locals to try drip coffee, latte, matcha, chai, espresso, and more, with CBD-oil made by the Chicago Cannabis Company.
LYFE KITCHEN {multiple locations}
LYFE Kitchen is teaching the Gold Coast, River North, and Streeterville communities how to Love Your Food Everyday (LYFE). LYFE offers a full list of menu items that are all as craveable as they are fueled with health. “We value balance, quality, fun, and hometown hustle,” says Emily Paulsen of LYFE. Their smoothie bar is yet another extension of what they do to make a body feel great. “Every ingredient allowed through our doors has been mindfully chosen, and our smoothie offering is no different. Organic ingredients, local produce, and carefully designed recipes all contribute to our energizing, filling smoothie line-up,” adds Paulsen.
The Smoothie Bar also offers added boosts, from bee pollen to Vital Proteins collagen, or CBD oil made from non-GMO hemp plants out of Kentucky by Medterra.
THE GODDESS AND GROCER {multiple locations}
The Goddess and Grocer has figured out how to mix the passions of rock n’ roll and health-driven deli delights with a gourmet grocery, a bakery, and catering services. Serving all of Chicago—The Goddess and Grocer, alongside a varied menu, also offers up baked goods and refreshing drinks made with CBD. “With the current knowledge and health benefits from legal CBD, we’re excited to offer our customers a variety of options. As a niche city grocer, we strive to stay up with the food and beverage trends keeping our shelves fresh and fun!” says Emma Watson of The Goddess and Grocer.
CBD infusions: Try their Goddess coffee and monthly latte specials, or seasonal brownies and rice krispie treats, with Barista Blend broad-spectrum hemp extract CBD powder by Colorado’s Uncanny Wellness; as well as canned Sprig soda with 20mg of CBD Isolate, derived from Colorado and North Carolina hemp.
BOMBOBAR {multiple locations}
Chicagoans can finally chill out! For an additional $5, BomboBar’s insta-famous Cooler Chocolates can be transformed into a Calmer Chocolate by adding CBD extract to the menu’s two summer flavors: Cookie Monster and S’mores. A flavorless addition, the CBD is first combined with the dessert’s milkshake-like base, creating the same flavor profile desired when ordered. While each Calmer Chocolate flavor consists of accouterments unique to their Cookie Monster and S’mores flavor, they are always topped off with a massive assortment of a cookie, bomboloni, cotton candy, and edible stardust glitter.
YOUNG AMERICAN {2545 North Kedzie Avenue; 773.687.8385}
Young American has taken the frame of a once-diner in Logan Square, and transformed it with tons of play, lots of color, and art—splashed into the décor, as much as within the menu—including an overall rhythm to suit post-work cocktails, casual wine-fueled dinners, and late-night dance parties. Leisure Activities, the team behind Young American, is also the team behind Sportsman’s Club, Estereo, and Ludlow Liquors. Young American offers out-of-this-world dishes and a party of flavors with CBD-infused spirit-free drinks that will have you singing Bowie’s famous lyrics, “all night, you want the Young American.”
By Sarah Carpenter
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