There are many reasons why Chicago is a mecca for wine lovers and foodies. The now annual Chicago Gourmet celebration is high on my list as are unique wine bars, multicultural street festivals, eclectic wine shops, and upscale restaurants with award winning, internationally recognized chefs and sommeliers. But let’s not forget neighborhood restaurant gems. Recently, I discovered in the heart of West Town a hip restaurant, Unite Urban Grill, which oozes a neighborhood vibe in a contemporary setting and offers creative, delicious, comfort fare to fit everyone’s palate and purse.
Megan and Joe Krouse, owners of Unite Urban Grill , provide a casually elegant place for enjoying a memorable dining experience which includes one of the most diverse and tantalizing menu and wine lists I’ve seen in awhile from a small, boutique restaurant. Megan’s broad palate translates to the menu which includes a wide variety of seafood and healthy vegetarian sides and entrees while Joe, self described “grill master” ensures that their customers’ carnivore loving preferences are more than satisfied.
Jason Lane, General Manager and Sommelier, has curated a wine and spirits list that offers everyone’s favorite classic cocktails along with domestic and international varieties of wines and beers. Forget your standby wines and select a glass or bottle from Spain, the Dalmatian Coast, Provence, upstate New York, or Paso Robles. Ditch the Coors and ask for a New Holland Stout or the Great Divide Rye Lager. Craving a cocktail? Try the Logan Square with Clement Select Barrel Rhum, grapefruit, honey, lemon, and herbsaint or the El Chilcano, a blend of Campo de Encanto Pisco, ginger beer, and lime. Of course if you need help deciding among the many selections, tap the expertise of Jason Lane who can guide you through the process.
My first wine of the evening was a Domained de Lavau, a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend from Gigondas, which was rich, well balanced, and complemented many of our small plates. One of my dining companions is a vegetarian so we started the evening with fresh Caprese Salad with fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, basil, aged balsamic and olive oil. We followed with Organic Salmon Crudo with lime, chilies, and cherry tomato and perfectly Grilled Scallops with brown butter, sorrel and red radish micro greens.
The foodie paradise continued with creamy Wild Mushrooms with shitake, oysters, clamshell, garlic and lemon and a colorful Crunch Salad with spring greens, granny smith apples, carrots, currants, and seeds with honey tahini. But we weren’t finished…we savored the tastes of Roasted Broccoli with almonds, jalapeno, and olive oil, Spiced Baby Carrots with citrus, cumin and thyme then savory grilled Asparagus with aged balsamic, parmesan and cracked pepper.
Somewhere between the Wild Mushrooms and Spiced Baby Carrots, I enjoyed another glass of wine, the Brezza Langhe, a smooth, lively Nebbiolo from Barolo. Trust me, I was ever so satisfied!
Then there was the dessert menu. Although I didn’t partake, the others reveled in the subtle sweetness of the gluten free and decadent Peanut Butter Mousse Cake.
Small, storefront, locally owned eateries are everywhere in Chicago and I love finding a new spot for wining and dining. Like me, add Unite Urban Grill to your list of neighborhood gems.
Cheers! ~ Cindy
Unite Urban Grill (1450 West Chicago) is open for dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please follow the link to their site or the restaurant’s Twitter feed and Facebook page. You can always contact them at 312.455.8900.
