Hot New Restaurants - September 2010
Henri Dining Room/Photo by Anthony Tahlier
Being hailed as one of the prettiest dining rooms in Chicago, Henri shares little with its sister restaurant The Gage — other than truly memorable food and drinks. Inspired by European salons, chairs are covered in sea green mohair, the walls are dark brown velvet, and silk drapes, crown moldings and chandeliers cloak the room with elegance.
Equally classy dishes include lobster Wellington, escargot bourgogne, a raw bar, and entrees like slow-roasted Illinois lamb for two and house-made pappardelle with lobster. Daily specials range from the cassoulet Henri on Mondays to the bouillabaisse on Fridays. The drink list is extensive and varied, with specialty cocktails, grape-based drinks "from the vine," craft beers and premium liquors. Make a reservation for dinner or lunch (coming soon), meet your best clients for a drink, and bring your expense account.
If you're expecting a clone of Four Corners Tavern Group's neighborhood bars like Kirkwood, Schoolyard and Brownstone, think again. Benchmark got dressed up for its Old Town debut with sleek servers, lounge-like seating upstairs and a retractable roof. The menu mixes bar staples with more intriguing options like lamb chop lollipops, Korean steak tacos with jasmine rice, and a mouthwatering skillet cookie for dessert. Also unlike most neighborhood bars, Benchmark has more than 20 wines by the glass and more than 40 beers. Get there while it's still nice enough outside to keep the roof open.
Not a week goes by without another sushi restaurant opening in Chicago. This one, however, from the Fujimara brothers of Small Bar, goes beyond the usual spider rolls and pot stickers. Signature dishes include uni shooters, sake mussels, ramen with either pork belly or tofu pork belly, and a wide range of maki and sashimi. Make your reservations now.
Sono Wood Fired/Urban Burger Bar
These two very different restaurants have two major things in common — owner John McLean (formerly of Levy Restaurants) and their inner wall. On one side of the wall you'll find Urban Burger Bar, which opened first and serves massive "stacked burgers" like the High Hog, with BBQ pork, bacon, ham, white cheddar and apple cabbage slaw. Chicken, turkey, veggie and even tuna sashimi burgers are also available, along with multiple variations of french fries, mac 'n' cheese, extra large salads and fried pickles. Like any self-respecting burger joint these days, they also serve dozens of craft beers and over 10 milkshakes.
If you're in the mood for Chicago's other favorite food group — pizza — head next door to Sono Wood Fired, which bakes up more than a dozen Neapolitan-style pies like the finocchi with fennel and goat cheese and the prosciutto with arugula and provolone. A few pastas, bruschettas and antipasta like burrata, mussels and assorted cheeses round out the distinctly Italian menu and are prepared in an open kitchen.
Visiting both restaurants in one night is not recommended.
Eatt Exterior/Photo by Erica Walkup
The Rosebud group opened this refined diner in late August, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and staying open from 6 a.m. until as late as 2 a.m. on weekends. The massive menu ranges from casual fare like omelets, salads and burgers to high-class dishes like escargot, steak frites and a kobe hot dog appetizer, served in a puff pastry with whole grain mustard and carmelized onions. If you're ordering a sandwich, opt for the truffle tater tots as your side. A full bar is also available, including a playful list of champagne cocktails. Based on my recent visit, this casual yet sophisticated place is sure to hit the spot any time of day.
Opening Labor Day weekend, the latest entrant into Chicago's swell of BBQ joints comes with Gold Coast flair. Instead of picnic tables and plastic baskets, gear up for leather booths, a fireplace and a sizable wine list. Start with the BBQ flight — Kobe beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken — then move on to baby back or St. Louis ribs. Sides include honey butter cornbread, bruleed mac 'n' cheese and kobe brisket baked beans. This place is much fancier than your typical backyard BBQ, but they at least had the sense to forgo the white tablecloths.