The Peninsula Chicago

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Culinary Adventures

With hundreds of dining options in the city, the Culinary Adventures section shortlists the most notable, to ensure you have the best gourmet experience during your visit.
  • Sepia
    This former 1890 print shop is a contemporary space for some of the most luscious Contemporary American food in the city. Former NoMI sous chef Kendal Duque ably mans the kitchen, while owner Emmanuel Nony keeps things running smoothly in the dining room. The décor at Sepia is like nowhere else, with brick walls and an old freight elevator; and on the menu nothing surpasses the pork rillette with fig preserve.

    123 North Jefferson Street, The Loop
    Tel: (1-312) 441 1920
  • Shanghai Terrace
    Step into the seductive setting of Shanghai Terrace and savor distinctive Asian cuisine created by Chef de Cuisine Chi Ping Xu (“Ping”). Consistently honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award, Shanghai Terrace features a menu of traditional Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes, with a modern twist. The popular terrace offers incredible views of Chicago’s skyline and the private dining area can accommodate up to 30 guests.

    The Peninsula Chicago, 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue)
    Tel: (1-312) 337 2888
  • Bin 36
    Surrounded by floor to ceiling windows, Bin 36 is part tavern, part restaurant and part wine store, where you can shop for wine, books, housewares and fresh flowers. Patrons can select from a list of 50 wines and sample them by the glass while the staff demonstrates how to match wine with food. The tavern area serves wine and a menu of appetizers, including steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with cilantro, pizzas and house patés.

    333 North Dearborn Street, River North
    Tel: (1-312) 755 9463
  • Arun's
    Filled with the chef's own artwork, this is the second, larger incarnation of Thai chef-owner Arun Sampanthavivat's restaurant. The delicious menu takes its inspiration from Thai cooking and is strikingly presented with Arun's signature flair. The award-winning restaurant is known for its prix fixe degustations, tailored to each diner's tastes.

    4156 North Kedzie Avenue, Wrigleyville
    Tel: (1-773) 539 1909
  • Avenues
    Avenues is The Peninsula Chicago’s premier restaurant and features thoughtful, progressive cuisine. Avenues is pleased to welcome Curtis Duffy as the new Chef de Cuisine. Duffy brings with him a myriad of experience from some of the country’s most innovative restaurants, most recently from Alinea where he was Chef de Cuisine working for Owner/Chef Grant Achatz and previously at Trio and Charlie Trotter’s. Duffy’s technique is rooted in showcasing ingredients’ untouched nature with a spontaneous approach to food. Guests can experience a four, eight or fifteen course menu prepared by Chef Duffy Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

    The Peninsula Chicago, 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue)
    Tel: (1-312) 337 2888
  • The Bongo Room
    The line forms early on the weekend at this Wicker Park restaurant, where the seasonally changing menu features creative takes on French toast and pancakes. Treats like lemon buttermilk and raspberry cheesecake hotcakes and brioche French toast with dried-cherry compote and orange crème anglaise are just a few of the selections on the extensive breakfast menu. Egg dishes are also popular choices.

    1470 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wicker Park
    Tel: (1-773) 489 0710
  • Gibson's
    Best known for being a gathering place for Chicago's "who's who", this is an upscale steakhouse. The restaurant serves patrons American cuisine with an emphasis on generous portions of seafood and steaks. Gibson's also serves up huge Martinis and allows cigar smoking at its popular bar. With seating for 200 people, the lively establishment remains busy every night of the week.

    1028 North Rush Street, Gold Coast
    Tel: (1-312) 266 8999
  • Gioco
    Gioco features a Prohibition era speakeasy with a hidden alley entrance beneath the train tracks. The menu offers rustic Italian dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients and features tagliata, a bone in rib steak, lobster and gnocchi, chicken vesuvio, homemade pastas and wood-fired thin crust pizzas. Gioco is designed with an amber backlit bar, exposed original brick and plaster walls. It also boasts a storefront for alfresco dining.

    1312 South Wabash Avenue, South Loop
    Tel: (1-312) 939 3870
  • Naha
    Understated and modern, the long, narrow dining room is all browns and creams, with hardwood floors, and straight-backed wood chairs give the space a simple comfort. The seasonal American and Mediterranean-influenced menu offers items like celery root soup with tender roasted squab and plump, sweet roasted sea scallops scented with vanilla bean. Just north of the Chicago River, the cityscape can be seen through two expansive walls of windows.

    500 North Clark Street, River North
    Tel: (1-312) 321 6242
  • Spring
    Recently nominated as one of the Best New Restaurants by the James Beard Foundation, Spring features a contemporary seafood and vegetable-inspired menu with Japanese influences. Entrées include roasted wild sea bass and black trumpet and yellow chanterelle mushrooms with edamame and sweet corn. Spring is located in a former Russian bathhouse. The restaurant’s decor is minimal and creates a Zen-like atmosphere, while the service is friendly without being overly familiar or intrusive.

    2039 West North Avenue, Bucktown
    Tel: (1-773) 395 7100
  • Jane's
    This neighbourhood hot spot attracts patrons from all over the city to dine on the homey cooking created for gourmet palates. Jane’s is located in a traditional green brick home on a residential street on the edge of Bucktown. The dining room is intimate and the service is friendly and efficient. Vegetarians will find items like a blue cheese quesadilla with spicy apple compote, while hearty eaters will enjoy menu selections like the goat cheese and herb-stuffed chicken breast, roasted monkfish or grilled beef tenderloin.

    1655 West Cortland Street, Bucktown
    Tel: (1-773) 862 5263
  • Nacional 27
    The sleek and dramatic dining room is reminiscent of a Latin supper club with a seating area in the centre of the restaurant, which doubles as a dance floor on Saturday nights for salsa. The “27” in the name represents the 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries that inspire its diverse menu. Diners can choose from aperitivos, seafood cocktails, empanadas, arepas and entrees, as well as an exotic selection of cocktails.

    325 West Huron Street, River West
    Tel: (1-312) 664 2727
  • Japonais
    The newest restaurant to grace Chicago’s River West neighborhood, Japonais serves modern Asian cuisine offering both sushi and sashimi as well as cooked dishes like Kobe beef prepared on hot rocks, tableside. This high-style urban restaurant is set along the Chicago River and features an expansive lounge and outdoor seating. Japonais has an in-depth wine list including sake and an extensive cocktail list.

    600 West Chicago Avenue, River West
    Tel: (1-312) 822 9600
  • Topolobampo
    Located alongside Frontera Grill, Topolobampo shares its kitchen and also serves gourmet Mexican cuisine. However, Topolobampo is the higher-end room, with a more subdued mood and a luxury menu composed of pricier ingredients. Topolobampo is refined but fun, with a sophisticated south-of-the-border feel.

    445 North Clark Street, River North
    Tel: (1-312) 661 1434