Custom House Tavern Restaurant Review

500 S. Dearborn St. (Congress Pkwy.) Send to Phone

312-523-0200 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu

Price

$$$$$

The tavern concept is redefined at this modern-minded seasonal, sustainable spot.

Cuisine

Open

Breakfast & Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sun.

Features

Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Valet parking
Business casual

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Dining room at Custom House Tavern, Chicago, IL

Thereâ€™s a warm vibe to the Printerâ€™s Row dining room, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows hung with gauzy curtains, flagstone details and intimate booths and banquettes. The kitchen has seen its share of changes since opening; now, with chef de cuisine Zach Millican and pastry chef Erin Mooney in the kitchen, though, itâ€™s full steam ahead. Start in the lounge with tasty pastrami beef tongue tartare or smoked pork sausage with green lentils and cranberry mustard. When youâ€™re ready to retire to the dining room --- larger groups should ask for the secluded, semi-circular banquette --- get the smoky escarole greens, a garlicky, modern take on the Caesar with winter radishes and a soft-boiled hen egg in anchovy dressing. Grilled sturgeon isnâ€™t to be missed: itâ€™s ethereal earthy with oyster-oyster mushroom stew, salsify, benne seed and bacon accompaniments. Roasted duck goes all out when foie gras is added into the mix. Meanwhile, a boneless saddle of rabbit with rabbit sausage, bacon and Sea Island peas takes comfort to the extreme. Finales are no less intriguing, so donâ€™t skip dessert.

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User Ratings & Reviews for Custom House Tavern

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Custom House by Glossyp on 09/28/2009

This is a lovely restaurant and the service was worthy of five stars. The food was quite good though we were disappointed with the signature dish of braised short ribs - they were not particularly flavorful and the horseradish puffs had the merest whisper of that tangy bite one expects. The best dish of the night was the beef tartare which delighted us. The pommes anna with house made bacon was also excellent. The 'Black Chicken' zinfandel was a good match for the meal. Dinner for two plus the wine came to just around $300 - I think we'll try them for lunch next time!