River North Bistro - Chicago
Sometimes you just need a pleasant place for breakfast, lunch or a casual dinner; River North Bistro is that place. Located in one of Chicago's busiest neighborhoods, this bistro has a relaxed atmosphere and a fine -- and broad -- menu.
For the first meal of the day, River North Bistro has the traditional "American breakfast" as well as steak and eggs, but also avocado and goat cheese, a reflection of changing breakfast tastes. There are several breakfast "Benedicts," including Land Benedict (ham, poached eggs, béarnaise sauce and a homemade biscuit), Lake Benedict (same setup but with salmon instead of ham) and avocado Benedict (with avocado instead of a land or lake protein). Also available are several omelets, scrambles and pastries.
For lunch or dinner, many of the starters could function as bar snacks, if you're just stopping in for a drink: a rotating selection of seasonal pickled vegetables, macaroni and cheese with a cheddar mornay sauce, bbq chicken wings, Buffalo-marinated crispy cauliflower with sweet potato chips. For the laid-back diner, there's a good selection of "handhelds," including an American burger, fried or grilled chicken sandwich, grilled cheese or grilled portobello mushroom burger.
There's a good range of larger plates of seared salmon or chicken breast, short ribs or steak frites, a grilled pork chop or, for those who prefer a more plant-based lunch or dinner, green cauliflower risotto with homemade pesto, mushrooms, roasted sweet potato chips and avocado (or course!).
Everybody loves pasta, and so there are several noodle-forward platters to choose from, including classic Bolognese, fettuccine with house-made pesto, and the ever-popular fettuccine Alfredo with sautéed mushrooms.
To drink, choose from a well-curated selection of beers and cocktails, including some non-alcoholic selections. Similarly, the wine menu is focused on a several high-quality sips.
Whether you're staying at the Eurostars hotel upstairs, or just need a place for a quick, well-executed beverage, snack or meal, River North Bistro is a solid choice.
