The Dawson - Chicago
The casual River West restaurant focuses on New American cuisine and cocktails. While The Dawson's menu leans toward more comforting fare, dishes have been elevated to attract its well-heeled neighbors.
Most notably are entrees cooked on the wood-fired grill, resulting in tender, flavorful meats. Highlights range from spicy lamb sausages in harissa tomato sauce to Mahi Mahi tacos topped with charred tomato salsa, Napa cabbage slaw and chimichurri. A number of signature small-plate dishes are ideal for sharing, including chicken-fried lobster, chorizo fondue, and mac 'n' cheese topped with smoked pork shoulder, bacon and three-year cheddar. The beverage program complements with house-made sodas, cocktails, craft beers and small producer wines.
The venue is named after the nearby Dawson Brothers Plant, which manufactured fireplace mantels and grates in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
