![]() The combination of Tuscan kale, freekeh, and Fresno Chili flavoring created a potent and delicious flavor, and I’d rank it as some of the best seafood in River North that I’ve had. The bass was sweet, without being too crumbly to pick up, and I was hooked after the first bite (no pun intended). Pressing my knife and fork to the bass, I was pleased at how tender it was. The bass looked delicious right from the start and had a few simple garnishes to put the finishing touches on the display. The presentation was beautiful with this dish and others I noticed at tables nearby. I usually like a few minutes to digest and think about my food, but I appreciated not being in the middle of a big bite when the main dish showed up. I had just finished the Ahi Tuna Crudo Chili when the sea bass came out. Personally, I like having enough time to focus on enjoying the appetizer before getting to the main dish. Some people like getting their main dish as soon as possible, while others want a break between their appetizer. One thing that many restaurants don't get right is timing the arrival of the appetizer and main dish. Ahi tuna is hard to screw up, but regardless I enjoyed their unique take on it. It was served hot, tender, and fresh, and the different Chili flavors complimented each other, without overpowering the taste of the sushi. When the tuna did show up, I was impressed. My drink was so good I had to fight finishing one off before the Ahi Tuna Crudo showed up. All I can say about this drink was wow! The blueberry and basil flavors were perfectly blended and deliciously refreshing. ![]() Alternatively, if you’re looking for fun restaurants in River North Beatrix is the place for you.Ī short two-minute wait later and my water and blueberry smash drinks were at the table. They exclusively play pop music, which contributes to the hip downtown vibe, but those looking for a nice quiet place to eat may want to consider other options. The crowd was diverse with people on dates and large families to college kids and young professionals throughout. While I waited for my food I was surprised at how busy the place was in the early afternoon. The pan-roasted Chilean sea bass looked promising (and also included some Chili!), so I made an order for that as well. I love Chili flavorings and figured a seven-flavor combination could be intriguing. For an appetizer, I ordered the seven flavor Ahi Tuna Crudo Chili and chose a blueberry and basil smash as a beverage (they have a ton of fresh-squeezed juice drinks). While Beatrix Chicago is mostly known as a brunch place with the busy downtown Chicago scene, I was there to try out its dinner options. Does Beatrix have what it takes to execute on the promise of such an eclectic approach? Or did they let me down by being the jack of all trades but masters of none? Their slogan is “taste over trend,” though, so it appears they are trying to bring back the “all or nothing” approach of past restaurants. This little selection size helps cut down on food costs and creates a restaurant and menu identity that is easier for the average consumer to grasp at first glance.īeatrix went against all recent restaurant trends by offering, frankly, one of the most diverse menus I've seen in a Chicago restaurant. One of the first rules of restaurant ownership, which has been hammered into our heads for years, is that a restaurant should have a small and focused menu. My first thought here was that Beatrix had likely bitten off more than they could chew. On another part of the menu I saw you could order sushi! What was this madness?! Photo by Youjeen Cho / Unsplash But then I saw a fish dish that promised a “Mexican flavor” and a staggering array of salads that seemed too good to be true. My eye fell on “hummus with naan” as an appetizer, which sounded pretty delicious. When sitting down, the first thing I noticed right away was that the menu was rather wild. One thing I did appreciate was the natural light, which balanced out the rather low-lit atmosphere quite nicely. I was just glad they weren't gaudy or excessive. ![]() I'm sure some people will love the decorations, but I was more or less indifferent to them. It was clear that Beatrix aims to appeal to the younger River North demographic, but it does so without alienating diners from other areas of the city. ![]() Among mostly subtle interior design there was a rather large photo of Mick Jagger, and some other photos of pop culture icons scattered around the seating area. The decor was modern and sleek, fitting for a downtown Chicago restaurant. It has a relatively simple interior design, including concrete floors and large wooden beams, and when I first visited Beatrix, I was surprised at how low-key it all looked. Created by Lettuce Chairman Rich Melman, it was designed to highlight foods and recipes that other restaurants wouldn't dare touch. is fast becoming one of Chicago's hottest restaurants.
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