The Gage Restaurant Review

24 S. Michigan Ave. (Monroe Ave.) Send to Phone

A pub-loving gastronomistâ€™s dream with creative, contemporary, approachable cuisine.

The Gage Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago Burgers Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Late Night Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Sat.-Sun., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

View
Romantic setting
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Outdoor dining
Open late Fri.-Sat.
Casual

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You can call The Gage many things---a pub, a gourmet dining experience, an after-work hangout, a swanky wine bar---but donâ€™t call it a gastropub. At least not to owner Billy Lawless, a native of County Galway, Ireland, who feels the term often is misunderstood in the States. Perhaps The Gageâ€™s spot-on combination of creative-yet-recognizable dishes designed by talented chef Dirk Flanigan (Meritage, Blue Water Grill) paired with an impressive bar menu, including interesting wines, craft beers and a large selection of Irish whiskeys and single malts, and a chic-yet-cozy atmosphere can clarify things. Located in an historic building across from Millennium Park, the communal table by the front window offers the best view. The tavern has a menu that offers a variety of dining options, starting with pheasant thigh with sherry, Seckel pears, beluga lentils and rosemary. Create a meal from the appetizer list---the fried chicken livers, braised rabbit salad and beef carpaccio with roasted mushrooms are all good ways to start---or choose one of the hearty entrÃ©es, including roasted Amish chicken, roast saddle of elk or Guinness-battered fish â€˜nâ€™ chips. The house burger made with ground Angus beef and topped with local Camembert and onion marmalade is a standout. And then thereâ€™s always the fried, sausage-wrapped Scotch egg.