Sepia Restaurant Review

123 N. Jefferson St. (Randolph St.) Send to Phone

312-441-1920 | Make Restaurant Reservations | Menu

Price

This modern speakeasy with a vintage feel serves seasonal American cuisine in a refined, attitude-free setting.

Sepia Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago American Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Sexy Restaurants | For more about Sepia, read GAYOT.com's Blog.

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly

Features

Romantic setting
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Valet parking
Casual

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How many times have we heard about the importance of first impressions? One look around the chic, well-thought-out setting at Sepia --- custom millwork, modern chandeliers, a floor-to-ceiling wine wall --- and itâ€™s obvious owner Emmanuel Nony was listening. But more than just a pretty face, this savvy restaurant has the food of chef Andrew Zimmerman (ex-NoMI) to back it up. From the starters, chestnut soup with duck confit, pear-brown butter and â€œcracklinâ€ is comfort food with a college degree. Main dishes might range from a root vegetable pot pie topped with Burgundy truffles to walleye served with stuffed cabbage, glazed turnips and pancetta to duck breast complemented by chicory spaetzle and braised red cabbage. Desserts --- perhaps malted milk chocolate mousse on peanut butter crunch, accompanied by pieces of chocolate pretzel bark --- have the same rustic-yet-refined appeal as the rest of the menu. Even cocktails are kicked up a notch, featuring intriguing ingredients like lavender bitters or oregano-Earl Grey syrup. The interesting wine list spans the globe and spotlights artisanal producers. Service is polished and knowledgeable. A separate building nearby houses Sepia's private dining and events space.