Nisos Prime - Chicago
Nisos Prime is a "Mediterranean steakhouse," which almost seems a contradiction in terms because the Mediterranean diet, as it's usually understood, contains very little if any red meat. What Nisos Prime demonstrates is that within the context of all the fish and olive oil typical of Mediterranean cuisine, you can have some meat in there to provide rich and delicious protein...and if you eat the meat in moderation, you'll still have a very healthy meal.
Nisos Prime is in the space previously occupied by Nisos Mediterranean restaurant. As quoted in Block Club Chicago, Parker Hospitality CEO Brad Parker remarked, "We took a minute to focus on what Parker Hospitality does best — creating unforgettable experiences for our guests — and reimagined the restaurant in a whole new way. Whether you’re coming to Nisos Prime for a drink and a quick bite after work, a romantic date night, or a wild night out in the West Loop, our team will make sure you will leave impressed.”
If seafood is what you want, you can begin with truly Mediterranean options like grilled octopus or seabass crudo, or make a meal of whole roasted branzino or whole salt-crusted sea bass.
If your tastes run to the more carnivorous, you're in the right place. Though there's a good amount of seafood on the menu, the place is called Niso's Prime, so there's a lot of good beef to choose from, including hangar steak with fries, bone-in center cut filet, bone-in ribeye and strip. All steaks are finished with tallow butter, Nisos steak salt, and roasted garlic.
For some of the city's most amazing meat, consult the Butcher's Reserve portion of the menu for items like a fifty day dry aged porterhouse, four ounces of Japanese A5 Wagyu, a Campo Grande Iberico tenderloin, and a forty-five day dry aged Tomahawk steak.
Niso's Prime offers a very large selection of wines, including many from Greece and the Mediterranean; so have a big steak and a glass of Mediterranean red wine and you have a perfect pairing at this new, reimagined restaurant.