Yes, another restaurant has opened in the River North areabut this one has a different vibe, down to its name.
The name of American Junkie (15 W. Illinois St.; www.americanjunkiechi.com ) is meant to convey a laid-back vibe mixed with all-American values, according to Rona, our incredibly helpful server. I'm not sure about how laid-back it is, as Junkie (part of a chain that includes Baja Junkie in Mexico) is part-bar, part-restaurant and part-club.
The place is attention-grabbing from the moment you walk in, assuming you find the place. (A problem this place has is a lack of conspicuous signage.) Rock music blares from the speakers and you see a swarm of telegenic servers and bartenders. More is on the second floor of this 17,000-square-foot bi-level establishment; for the club vibe, there's a descending DJ booth there as well as the Midwest's largest screen (16 feet by nine feetin high-definition).
By the way, my friend and I wondered about how LGBT-friendly this venue is. Our question was answered shortly afterward by a mixologist who made the misstep of initially confusing us with the TV show Windy City LIVE. He commented that the popular Big Gay Cocktail Club would be holding an event there soon.
Then there's the food. It's intriguing because, despite the supposed laid-back vibe, chef Kendal Duque's cuisine is decidedly upscale. (Even the chili cheese fries are made with wild-boar chili.) Depending on how one sees it, it's either a fusion or clash of two tastes. I'm hoping people see it as the former.
Duque sent out several items for us to tryand most rated from great to amazing. From the "More than Appetizers" part of the menu, we tried the beet salad, lobster with bone marrow, grilled octopus and mushroom risotto. All of these we loved, and the risotto probably would've done Martha Stewart proud.
We also tried the pork-and-kumquat flatbread, which has bleu cheese. It was tasty, although a little cheese goes a long way.
For my friend and me, the pork belly sliders (with quail eggs and cabbage slaw on a brioche bun) and the Frieda burger were the undisputed highlights. However, the very tender bison ribeye was not far behind. Junkie is no slacker when it comes to dessert, either, with a mango/vanilla cheesecake that I dare anyone to resist.
Also, be sure to try the drinks here. The West Coast Invasion (Skyy vodka, Combier, lemon and litchi) and Cheating Tiger (Jim Beam Black, Combier peach, tea and lemon) are on tap, and other intriguing-sounding items include the Del Mar Derby and No Gordita.
American Junkie is intended to be a feast for several of the sensessight, sound, smell and taste. I do intend on coming back, if for no other reason than to check out the second floor. (It was being worked on the night my friend and I attended.) However, with everything the senses are being treated to, I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the new celebrity hangout.
Photospread here: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .