Inventive, imaginative and satisfying. Also my first saki experience...perhaps an acquired taste?
We started with the Tuna Tartar - not to be missed if you're dining here. And then on to some rolls:
- Ginza Roll (steamed lobster, spicy mayo, cucumber, jalapeno topped with tobiko and wasabi tobiko)
- Tochigi Maki (spicy tuna roll wrapped in slices of mango and avocado with a sweet and spicy sauce)
- Rainbow Maki (toasted salmon, tempura crunch wrapped with pieces of tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and eel)
- Red Dragon Roll (salmon, avocado and spicy mayo topped and marinated tuna)
Perfect combinationof ingredients and a place to revisit...because there's so much more to their menu.
The menu is short and sweet with something for everyone. For me, it was the Seared Sea Scallops (butternut squash puree, toasted pumpkin seeds brown butter vinaigrette, braised caraway cabbage). I polished off every bit of it. And the butternut squash puree and braised cabbage has smokey bacon crumble mixed in, a surprise not mentioned in the description. Perfectly seared scallops and perfectly portioned. We also tried the Kale & Artichoke Dip and Shrimp Sliders (mmm...pretzel bun) to get it going.
They describe it perfectly..."The Intersection of Art & Cuisine". It was my pleasure to be a guest among good company, eclectic and creative pop art and exquisite food. Mixology fans will love the cocktail menu. I had the What's Up Doc (Grey Goose Vodka, Carrot, Ginger, Lemon, Mint) and the Eight Ward (Rittenhouse Rye, House Grenadine, Lemon, House Orange Bitters, Orange Peel). Both packed a pretty good punch! Our tapas do not appear on the menu, so aren't we special! And they were amazing mise en bouche, which included Portobello Sliders on Pretzel Buns, Pan Fried Fish served on a tablespoon, Beef Tartar, Fish Tacos, Chicken Satay and the melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Creme de Pots served in an espresso cup. Tucked away in the meat packing district, it's truly something to discover.
Classy and elegant, we got cozy at our round table beside the contemporary fireplace and enjoyed fresh Tableside Guacamole with warm Housemade Tortilla Chips. Their signature Casa Rita Margarita is a perfect combination of Giro Silver Tequila by Sauza, Cointreau Orange Liqueur and fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juices . My entree of Camarones Escondidos (grilled chicken breast stuffed with shrimp, topped with sautéed spinach and chipotle-wine sauce) was oh-so-good...I just had to share some with everyone at the table. I ordered a Cantina Mojito (Don Q Cristal Rum, fresh mint, lime, cane sugar) for dessert (hehe) with a side of Gran Centenario Tequila (smooooth). The best Mexican meal I've had outside of Mexico.
A steak and seafood USA restaurant chain with 2 locations in Chicago. The Wacker St. location gives you a prime view of the Trump building from the bar. My spirit of choice for the evening was a lovely La Marca Prosecco. The table shared some amazing Long Island Blue Point Oysters (and I love me some oysters!) and I really enjoyed my Asparagus Salad and Swordfish Casino (with lump crab, roasted red pepper, bacon, mushrooms spinach sautee) from the seasonal menu. Creme Brulee for dessert was the perfect end. And our souvenir menu to was customized with a welcome message for our party as arranged by our hotel concierge...sometimes it's the small things that count.
And I couldn't leave Chicago without a hotdog moment. This one was from Uno at O'Hare International Airport.
Love you Chicago! I'll be back. ; )
~ S ~
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