Nico Osteria
Nico has quickly become one of my Chicago favorites. I have stayed at the Thompson a few times on previous trips so it is certainly convenient for breakfast but is actually excellent at any time of the day.

Blueberry Cobbler – blueberry Death’s Door gin, citrus, honey, Amaro Cardamoro

Black Bream, lemon cucumber, pumpkin seed, almond oil

Striped Jack, citron vinegar, bird chile, radish, mint

Heirloom tomato salad, tonnato, farro, olive, lemon vinaigrette

Bar Harbor mussels, vermouth, almond butter

Artichoke autostrada, burrata cheese, pine nut-mint pesto

Tiramisu, marsala zabologine, aged lady finger crunch, white coffee

Balena
It has been far too long since I’ve been to Balena. And it was an added treat to unexpectedly find one of my favorite people working there!

Buffalo milk cheeses – Blu di Bufala, Caciocavallo, Casatica

Grilled zucchini romanesco, Calabrian vinaigrette, mint, almond

Shishito peppers

Orecchiette, kale, lemon, bread crumbs, chili

Rigatoni, pork ragu, porcini mushrooms

Glazed carrots, ginger, honey, mint

Aviary

Amazing new stuff on the current menu including perhaps my favorite porthole since Aviary opened.

IFL Science – honey, blueberry, ginger, scotch

M

Monkey Tail – 1/2 frozen daiquiri, 1/2 brown & stirred

Heart of Stone – pistachio, fresno, peach, lapsang, whiskey