There's so much to love about River Roast . . . where to start? The concept, if you can't guess by the name, is roasts. Not the type smothered in gravy . . . not that we'd turn our shoulder to that. Think more like a roasted chicken. There are six different meat, fish and veggie roasts that live on the menu everyday and one rotating roast a month. For the month of October, that's a Pork Shoulder served with sauerkraut and root veggies. The coolest part? They carve your dinner right at the table.
Some non-roast notables on the menu: Fried Olives stuffed with chorizo (sounds weird, but trust us on this one), charred Curried Cauliflower and the Golden Gobbets, which are seasoned fried chicken strips served with an adorable Smurf-sized jar of honey that would make Pooh weep tears of joy. The incredibly friendly staff managed by Jay Schuster, brunches on Saturday and Sunday with a live jazz backdrop and the sweet view with outdoor seating overlooking the hustle and bustle of the Chicago River round out the reasons why we heart River Roast.
Side notes: For brunch, go with Chilaquiles. But, bring a bus load of people with you as they are uber generous with their portions on this one. And, River Roast just sweetened the deal by adding a S'mores Ice Cream Sandwich that tastes just like the bonfire classic and an Adult Sundae Fundae with Guinness ice cream, whisky cherries, rum pineapple, bourbon butterscotch and potato chips.
Have we convinced you to go yet?
River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., River North. Online: riverroastchicago.com
photo: River Roast courtesy of Maria Chambers