“The great neighborhoods are built on the backs of great restaurants.” Afterparties and other related events are planned at restaurants throughout the neighborhood.įor one night, the West Loop will seem like the epicenter of the entire food universe, if it didn’t already. The splashy black-tie event draws chefs and restaurateurs from across the country. On Monday, May 2, the national spotlight will descend on this hub of culinary excellence when the esteemed James Beard Foundation holds its annual awards gala - often described as the “Oscars of food” - at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Meanwhile, on the other side of Halsted Street, the restaurant action continues with wood-fired pizzas at Parlor and bowls of noodles at High Five Ramen on Green Street and acclaimed Alinea chef Grant Achatz’s innovatively “ticketed” second restaurant Next on Fulton Market. “We found ourselves on this little island almost.” That little island would eventually become home to some of the city’s most talked-about restaurants, including Salero, Sepia, Embeya and their own Avec, which opened in 2003. “There was a lot of restaurant action going on on the west side of Halsted on Randolph Street, but nothing on the east side,” recalls Madia.
Restaurateur Donnie Madia and chef Paul Kahan took a chance on the area back in 1997 when they opened Blackbird, their very first restaurant together.
The majority of those come complete with stellar reviews and hours-long waits, so a venture on these streets is a good bet - even if it didn’t always seem that way.
After all, many of the city’s most lauded chefs and restaurateurs have chosen the neighborhood for their projects, from local stalwarts Girl & the Goat and Au Cheval to newcomers Soho House and Salero. If you ask any Chicagoan where to head for dinner, they’re bound to make remarks on at least one restaurant in the West Loop.
0 kommentar(er)
