Blackbird

I wrote these earlier this week while I was in Chicago and am just now posting them... oops.


I'm in Chicago for a few days and have been lucky enough to have some great meals lined up.  I'll do a brief review of the highlights.


Blackbird sits just across the river from Chicago's Loop, occupying a stylishly minimalist space.  All white walls are accentuated only with grey banquettes and an open kitchen that is similarly white and stainless steel.  Atop the restaurant's bar, a large display of white daisies is the only non-booze-related item in sight.  Clean and classy, the food is what's on display.

Patrons are dressed in what I'll call business chic; men are in jackets, but it's not a conservative atmosphere.  Everyone is well dressed, including the waitstaff in suits and stylish dresses.

Speaking of the waitstaff, they're very knowledgeable, describing the seasonally-focused menu in detail with ease and providing wine pairing recommendations.  These people know their stuff and are happy to tell you all about it.

I won't rehash the menu (you can check it out here), but to give you an idea, we ordered veal sweetbreads, duck tartare, and the goat charcuterie platter to start, followed by the sea trout, pork collar, and sturgeon.  The sturgeon was my dish and favorite of the three; it was perfectly cooked and I loved the zucchini "breads" that were more like dense little croutons, providing just the right amount of crunch.

What was to follow would prove to be the highlight of the evening.  Chocolate-pistachio was a delicious chocolate mousse atop moist pistachio cake, with chocolate sorbet, but the sweetcorn bavarois really stole the show.  Cubes of cornbread pain perdu (basically, french toast) and maple sorbet served alongside a sweetcorn cake topped with corn custard, dehydrated corn, and maple syrup.  Truly phenomenal; I'd go back just for this dish.

The check arrived with freshly baked madelines.  They know how to send off guests on a high note.

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 715-0708‎