If you're looking for a place to unwind with co-workers after a day at the office or kick off a night on the town, and want something more than the beer and burgers you'll likely find at most bar and grills, consider Hubbard Inn.
The River North newcomer serves "European-inspired" small plates and interesting cocktails in a bustling and eclectically-decorated dining room. Dark wood floors, walls covered in ornate tiles, and rustic wooden tables paired with mismatched antique chairs create an atmosphere that is part Victorian drawing room and part Moroccan flea market.
The mismatched global vibe also is reflected in the menu, which features a range of nibbles from Medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in bacon (delish!) to braised short ribs with a cheddar grit cake to Prince Edward Island mussels in white wine. Portions are perfect for a light snack and small enough to share a few.
On the lighter side, the beet salad with aged goat cheese and candied walnuts is a great way to start your dining experience at Hubbard Inn. Pair it with one of the house cocktails. I recommend the French 110, a light but potent mix of Prosecco, gin, Grand Marnier and lemon juice. Also try the Hubbard Rose, a delightful concoction made with the restaurant's own house-made bourbon, lime juice and mint.
As you move on to the more substantial menu choices, you'll find several creative preparations of meat and seafood. The grilled prawns with wild mushroom conserve and garlic potato puree were good, but not memorable enough to inspire me to order them again. The lobster club immediately caught my eye, and while Hubbard Inn's version is just fine, you can find better in the city.
The lamb burger, however, was out of this world. The tender and flavorful burger is seared to perfection, topped with mint, cucumber, feta and Tzatziki sauce, and served on a buttery grilled bundefinitely my top pick. I would also come back for the flatbreads, which are tasty and perfect for sharing. I tried one that was topped with asparagus, mushroom ragout, ricotta and gremolata (a zesty mixture of herbs and garlic).
Since the portions are small, you should have room left for dessert. If you take one piece of advice, let it be this: order the rhubarb tart. The perfect flaky pastry dough is studded with sea salt and smeared with a sweet-yet-tart puree of rhubarb. The cheesecake with blueberry compote sounds ho-hum, but it is one of the better cheesecakes I've eaten and definitely worth the cash and the calories.
All things considered, I'll definitely stop by Hubbard Innfor the lamb burger and the rhubarb tartnext time I find myself in River North. The atmosphere and the cuisine offer something unique and bring some fun, global flavor to our city.
Hubbard Inn is at 110 W. Hubbard; call 312-222-1331 or visit www.hubbardinn.com/libations/ .
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