Source Chicago Vine:
South Loop Dining
By ChicagoVine.com
Tuesday, Oct 4, 2005 @ 3:21PM
No longer just a place to find parking for Bears games, the South Loop has become a neighborhood filled with new developments and well-preserved history. Even "Da Mayor" has taken up residency in what was once an area filled by prohibition-era establishments that catered to the likes of Al Capone. With such renewed activity, residents are demanding adequate dining options and getting what they want. Here's a few picks Chicago Vine knows you'll enjoy.
Chicago Firehouse
1401 S. Michigan Ave.
Once a turn-of-the-century firehouse built to serve its wealthy neighbors, the building at 14th and Michigan now serves upscale food and an impressive American wine list in what is now its casual and formal dining rooms. Much of the original building has been preserved and is very impressive to behold. The atmosphere, history and cuisine truly work in concert to make dining there a sincere pleasure.
Appetizers to try include lump crab cakes, fried calamari and oysters Rockefeller. Recommended dinner entrees include the pan-fried rainbow trout, blue cheese-crusted rib-eye and a mouthwatering mango and chili barbecued pork chop. Chicago Firehouse will accommodate smaller versions of its popular dinner items if asked and has a knowledgeable wait-staff ready to answer any questions.
Gioco
1312 S. Wabash
This cozy Italian restaurant has the look of a worn classic, yet embraces visitors quickly with its warm lighting and gorgeous exposed brick walls. However, one wouldn't be surprised to hear Gioco was once a speakeasy back in its heyday. Even in its modern incarnation, this venue encourages free and fluid conversation with your dining companions over rustic Italian dishes.
Named one of Chicago Magazines "Best New Restaurants" as well as one of Bon Appetit?s "Favorite Places in 2000", Gioco is a hip, Italian eatery accentuated by mahogany and an exotic menu that still manages to keep the standard Italian dishes on tap. Lamb chops and gnocchi are must-haves, as well as the braised pork and pizza al forno. For dessert, try the creme brulee or simply enjoy a relaxing glass of grappas. Gioco offers ten different types of the spirit.
Opera
1301 S. Wabash
This recent offering from Jerry Kleiner (Red Light, Marche, Gioco), has plenty of aesthetic appeal with its eye-catching fixtures, decadent silk drapery, and handsome murals that grab and keep your attention. Once a movie warehouse, the owners were able to fashion curtained dining booths from what were originally fireproof film vaults of the building. Quite the romantic dining experience if you're actually able to secure the coveted "vault" seating.
Opera boasts classical Chinese dishes prepared with a modern twist. Executive Chef Paul Wildermuth (Red Light) and Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun's) have given birth to a menu that elevates regional Chinese cuisine far past the usual fare. You won't find your father's Beef & Broccoli here, but rather upscale presentations of traditional dishes served by an ample waitperson staff.
Oysy
888 S. Michigan Ave.
Designed by Chicago architect Douglas Garofalo, Oysy has a clean, modern look coupled with a creative Japanese menu. Almost 50 types of sushi and maki are yours for the asking, but don't let the overwhelming list of special maki stop you from sampling the tempura, cooked and grilled entrees that are worthy of your attention. The sauteed scallop with garlic ginger sauce is especially addictive and the grilled steak with garlic miso marinade is flavorful. However, if you are strictly set on sushi or maki, you won't be led astray. Be sure and try the Miami Roll (served hot), California Sunset, Unagyi Roll, and Spicy Super White Tuna. Prices are low enough to warrant a little gluttonous behavior.
The staff at Oysy seems truly friendly from the hosts to the sushi chefs and the light ambient background music played is pleasant and soothing.
Triad Sushi
1933 S. Indiana Ave.
Karaoke and sushi in the farthest reaches of the South Loop may not sound like a match made in heaven at first, but it is a welcome addition to a burgeoning area of the city devoid of adequate dining establishments. This modern sushi lounge features a karaoke lounge where patrons can choose from over 1,000 song favorites to punish their friends with or groups can opt for the VIP dining room ($50 room charge) with a 37-inch plasma screen TV, DVD player and sound system - be sure to bring your own movies unless you want to check out Triad's in-house selection, or the staff can even run to the video store for you if asked.
Triad manages to make it all work brilliantly due in part to its extensive menu of traditional and specialty maki rolls, nigiri and sashami, along with entree options like Asian five-spice pork chops, grilled Sapporo-marinated Atlantic salmon, and rib-eye steak teriyaki. There's even a "Rookie Plate" of cooked options for those first-timers that need to be eased into their sushi addiction.
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