SideDoor

SideDoor Restaurant Review:

Capturing locals and tourists visiting the Mag Mile, SideDoor is the casual antidote destination for diners craving history with a side of meat. Tucked away in a former west wing of the McCormick Mansion, the eatery was renovated in 2014 to include tufted leather banquettes, a marble mosaic floor and a nook positioned for secret telling and people watching. Open with the avocado mash with lime vinaigrette and pita chips, or the popular chipotle deviled eggs with mayo, cornichon and bacon. Entrée-size Asian pork salad, layered with shiitake mushroom salsa, black beans and roasted corn, laces spicy peanut sauce and cilantro into every bite. Mega sandwiches stave off late hunger pangs, including the fork and knife pastrami and the prime rib Reuben. The carver’s trio of pomegranate adobe pork tenderloin, the tender New Zealand lamb chops and the house signature prime rib are solid choices for the meat board. Warm and hot desserts impress. Save room for the sticky toffee pudding, subtle and not cloyingly sweet, or the fluffy banana parfait, with banana mousse, toasted coconut, burnt caramel and whipped cream. Say yes to cocktails; the Bitter Queen goes down smooth with its mixture of gin, blood orange, amaro and egg white. Pair the meat boards with the velvety smooth Justin (a Cab), available by the glass or bottle.