Quick looks at some of the newest and soon to open restaurants.
Vermilion
10 W. Hubbard St.; 312-527-4060
Chicago’s first Latin-Indian fusion restaurant has opened in River North. Chef Maneet Chauhan, a recent graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, tested combining Indian and Latin ingredients with her South American cooking school classmates. The results of her intercontinental experimentation is most evident in the 20 or so “tapas” on the menu. Ceviche, a Latin staple, goes global with a dash of roasted cumin and amchur (dried mango power); it’s served with spicy chardonnay gelee and garnished with pomegranate seeds. (In fact, every dish that leaves the kitchen bears a dash of the restaurant’s namesake color.) Order the gazpacho shooters, and three chilled soups–white (grape and almond), green (green tomato and mint), red (smoky tomato)–arrive in shot glasses. Entrees include tamarind barbecue baby-back ribs served on a bed of sweet corn salsa and topped with yucca fries, and Indian standards like vindaloos and curries. Open for dinner and brunch (9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday); lunch is in the works. Entrees $12-$25.
Orange on Harrison
75 W. Harrison St.; 312-447-1000
A second location of the popular Lakeview breakfast and lunch spot is set to open soon in Printers Row. Expect the same offbeat breakfast and lunch dishes, including pancake flights and Guinness-braised beef hash. The citrus-colored interior will feature “groves” of potted orange trees with picnic benches and a “frushi” (fruit sushi) bar with green tea and various coffees (including the restaurant’s orange-infused brew). Entrees $5-$11.
RA Sushi
1139 N. State St.; 312-274-0011
RA, a sushi bar (get it?) and Japanese fusion mini-chain, is set to open a location Jan. 19 in the Gold Coast. Signature rolls like the Tootsie Roll (crab and shrimp maki topped with sweet eel sauce and tempura bits) and entrees like filet mignon with wasabi mashed potatoes battle a throbbing club soundtrack and over-the-top decor for diners’ attention. Sushi and maki range from $1.50-$10; entrees $9-$20.
Flight 1820
Tower Drive, Glenview; 847-729-9463
At this casual new spot in the Glen Town Center, the specialty is entrees served in “flights.” An order of lamb chops features three presentations: grilled with basil-mint salsa, Dijon mustard-crusted and red wine glazed. Other options include a duo of foie gras and a trio of seafood tartares. For each dish there’s a recommended wine flight, or wing it and choose from 80 wines by the glass. The lunch menu features a salmon and apple wood-smoked bacon sandwich and a salad of scallops, fennel, Mandarin oranges and arugula. Entrees $8-$14.
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Find more new restaurants in RedEye and on www.metromix.com.
