West Randolph Restaurants-What's new?
I moved from Chicago a year ago and have heard that there are some new things in the west randolph area...near some of my current favorites (Avec, De Cero...). I'm heading back out to Chicago next week--anything new and noteworthy there?
Thanks!
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Sepia is great, as the last poster mentioned. The food and service at Alhambra is garbage. It is only interesting for a WTF type of experience. The night I was there there was a Middle Eastern Electroclash type band, they placed us in a seperate room where there were no other diners and when we asked the server how long Alhambra had been open he said "Well, at least since today. I started today." Oh, and it looks and feels like a Soanish Castle where they would hold Eye's Wide Shut type sexual escapades. Alongside Sepia, I recommend Otom. As Avec is the more aproachable, less expensive sister to Blackbird, Otom is to Moto. Technically it's on Fulton, next to Moto, Folia and Lumen, but it's still there in the West Loop, West Randolph area. Service, food, cocktails and atmosphere are top-notch. It is described as fancied-up American comfort food in magazines because they serve a mac and cheese entree, but in actuality Otom has dishes with influences from all over the world that they do well. We had a Thai Mussells dish, a short rib ravioli and some sort of Asian sirloin that were all excellent.
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re: jdmath0
Folia had some of the best Italian-style pizzas I've had in the City. Although I like places like Crust and Coal Fire, Folia's pizza truly reminded me of the pizza I had in Italy.
Went to Otom last week, too. Had the mussels which were good (a tad salty), the salmon cevice which was too overpowered by a VERY salty wonton crisp. Also had the pork belly which was amazing, but a little small. Tasted the mac and cheese and thought that was great.
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Not on Randoloph, but very close is Sepia - on Jackson I think?
There is a massive, opulent new middle eastern restaurant call Alhambra on Randolph, but word is that once you get beyond the decor, the food is very pedestrian and over priced. I have never read a positive review of the food, although everyone gushes about the interior. I think it seats more than 500.
That's about all I can think of. 160 Blue is worth a visit if you have never been there. Far west on Randoph - by Ogden. Its been open for a couple years now.
