|
WINDY CITY TIMES
|
|
|
Savor: Municipal Bar + Dining Co.
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times 2013-05-07
|
|
This article shared 3236 times since Tue May 7, 2013
|
|
No restaurant embraces Chicago quite like Municipal Bar + Dining Co. (216 W. Ohio St.; www.municipalbar.com ).
From the furniture (including tables with I-beam supports) to the subway-themed facades, the placewhich co-owner Sam Fakhouri described to me as an "upscale sports bar"screams Chicago.
This, of course, includes the menu, which has drinks such as the very tasty River North and Gold Coast cocktails. As for eats, they are divided into sectionsand some are easier to figure out than others. For example, hot appetizers are in the "Department of Fire" category and salads are ensconced in the "Department of Environment" section. However, Fakhouri had to explain to me why flatbreads are in the "Department of Cultural Affairs" categories (and it basically has to do with the diversity of toppings on the items).
If you're in the mood to see sports, there's no shortage of screens everywhereand I do mean everywhere. (On the day I went, I think I saw every thing except badmintonnirvana for this sports fan.) In addition, sports celebrities frequent the venue. (The day after I was there, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was among those slated to be at Municipal for the NFL draftand a Chicago Blackhawk was there while I dined.)
As for the food, overall, it's more than impressive. (FYI: The dishes are not all Chicago-related.) Sous chef Donald Penza should really be proud of the pork-belly tacos (which have a slight kick), grilled calamari (with three different sauces), half-chicken, scallops and the duck sliders. Among the many other options on the menu are tuna tartare, beet-and-goat-cheese salad, lobster rolls, BBQ chicken flatbreads and risotto.
By the way, if you possibly have room after dining on appetizers and entrees, there are desserts such as the beyond-decadent chocolate chip cookie with caramel, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream; and the Ferris Wheel, a dish with ricotta doughnuts, funnel cake, seasonal berries, chocolate sauce and caramel.
Fakhouri added that this summer, the place plans to have a patio that seats up to 100 peopleand it will be complete with LED lights. Here's hoping there's a rainbow night for Pride Month |
|
|
|
This article shared 3236 times since Tue May 7, 2013
|
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
---|
|
| | SAVOR 'Hot Ones,' 101 complex opening, Casati's closing, Crumbl 2024-04-20 —Feeling hot, hot, hot: The addictive show Hot Ones is coming to Chicago, Time Out Chicago noted. First We Feast is teaming with Stella Artois to bring the show/YouTube sensation—which has featured guests such as Tyra ...
|
| | SAVOR Arshiya Farheen talks about her welcoming bakery, Verzenay 2024-04-20 Just walking into the Lincoln Park bakery Verzanay, 2507 N. Lincoln Ave., is an experience. Somehow, the patisserie (named after a commune/town in France) simultaneously seems upscale and cozy. Friendly ...
|
| | SAVOR Vivent Health/TPAN leader talks about Dining Out for Life 2024-04-17 On Thursday, April 25, people can join the city's restaurant community for Dining Out For Life Chicago, an event ensuring people affected by HIV/AIDS can access essential services. We want to show up in the communities ...
|
| | SAVOR Prairie Grass' honor, Aviary reservations, 4/20 events 2024-04-14 Congrats!: Northbrook restaurant Prairie Grass Cafe was honored for its Sensory Friendly Hour program at the 18th Annual Disability Matters North America Awards held in Milwaukee on April 4. Victoria's Secret & Co., Walt Disney Imagineering, ...
|
| | Big Gay Sal's, pizzeria named after owner's larger-than-life presence, opens in Northalsted 2024-04-10 Salvador Mora has always been known for his cheerful smile, warm hugs and big heart, but now it's his pizza that has people talking. Mora co-owns Big Gay Sal's, a late-night pizzeria that opened in March ...
|
| | Andersonville Chamber announces Andersonville Midsommarfest entertainment lineup 2024-04-09 --From a press release - CHICAGO (April 8, 2024) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is pleased to announce the full entertainment line-up for Andersonville Midsommarfest, one of Chicago's oldest and most beloved summer ...
|
| | SAVOR James Beard nominees, Krispy Kreme, controversies 2024-04-06 SAVOR James Beard nominees, Krispy Kreme, controversies BY ANDREW DAVIS —Congrats!: In D.C., The James Beard Foundation announced the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees as well as the honorees of the Leadership Awards, Humanitarian of ...
|
| | SAVOR The casual Italian spot Archive Lounge 2024-04-05 Last year, a friend and I visited Chef Steve Chiappetti's Streeterville restaurant The Albert, in Hotel EMC2 (228 E. Ontario St.)and having dinner at the Italian spot was one of my top culinary experiences of 2023. ...
|
| | SAVOR The Inspired Home Show, Uncle Julio's closes, Malort cocktails 2024-03-30 Getting inspired: On March 17-19, The Inspired Home Showa massive display of current and upcoming products focused on cooking, cleaning, containing and much moreoccurred at McCormick Place. Battery-run lawn mowers ...
|
| | SAVOR Easter roundup for 2024 2024-03-24 Easter is a time to celebrate rebirth, spring, life—and brunches. Chicagoland restaurants will be out in full force on Sunday, March 31, offering Easter meals—some with their own twists (including ...
|
| | SAVOR WhiskyX, an Easter soiree, a pizza-making class and more 2024-03-24 I'll drink to that: On March 21, I was invited to check out dozens of whiskeys, rums, tequilas and other spirits at WhiskyX, which took place at the Chicago venue Morgan MFG and which hundreds of ...
|
| | SAVOR REVIEW Sushi By Bou 2024-03-19 Going into a sushi restaurant, I didn't expect to hear a 1920s version of the Carly Rae Jepsen hit "Call Me Maybe" emanating from the speakers. However, that and other Great Gatsby-like flourishes can be found ...
|
| | SAVOR Gemini Grill opens, 'Rick Bayless Day' and more 2024-03-17 —And I quote: I'm not crazy about reality, but it's still the only place to get a decent meal."—Groucho Marx —Pop life: Don't forget my other Substack: "Pop-Eds: My takes on pop culture." Thank you so ...
|
| | SAVOR REVIEW La Grande Boucherie 2024-03-14 Just a few months ago, The Group NYCa hospitality consortium based in you-know-whereopened the Italian restaurant Olio e Piu in Chicago's River North neighborhood. You can read my review of ...
|
| | SAVOR Let's Talk Womxn's 'More Than March'; Adobo Grill's tequila dinner 2024-03-06 I was fortunate enough to be invited to a culinary event that celebrates the achievement of womenand, fittingly, it happened during Women's History Month. On March 1, Let's Talk Womxn Chicago held its annual "More Than ...
| |
|
|
|
|
| New Title IX rules protects LGBTQ+ students...to a point | | NATIONAL Ohio law blocked, Trevor Project, Rev. Troy Perry, ICE suit, Elon Musk | | SHOWBIZ Celine Dion, 'The People's Joker,' Billy Porter, Patti LuPone, 'Strange Way' | | LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project set to hold its second annual exhibition | | WORLD Nigeria arrest, Chilean murderer, trans ban, Olivier Awards, marriage items | |
|
|
|
|