Honey's - Chicago
A stylish collaboration by a group of well-respected industry veterans, Honey's is located in the West Loop's red-hot Warehouse District. The menu consists of thoughtfully sourced, seasonal American cuisine that's been inspired by the bold flavors of the Mediterranean.
Most meats and vegetables are cooked over an open hearth, from spit-roasted cauliflower to grilled striploin that's paired with pommes dauphine and charred scallion. Because the menu's ever-changing, accompaniments change up as well. One thing, however, is for certain: All pastas and breads are made in-house and are brightened up with the best of the season's ingredients.
Honey's decor matches the food in that it's simplistically done, yet makes a strong statement. The front lounge is sparsely decorated in muted tones and only a few pieces of wall art. And the intimate dining room is punctuated by rich leather booths and old-school soul music.
The cocktail list is small, offering only five sippers, but it's well thought out with ingredients and technique. Honey's concentrates more on wine and spirits, with a strong selection of single-malt scotches.
A retro-inspired upper-level lounge called The Hive serves three market price cocktails at the bartender's discretion. There's a full-service bar of spirits, so guests may order cocktails that are not on the menu, such as a Negroni, Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
