chaise lounge wicker park
Originally named the chaise longue, the piece of furniture we Americans call the chaise lounge dates back 300 years and is of French origin. Lucky for everyone, The Restaurant Chaise Lounge, now open two years, didn’t take centuries to perfect.
The high-end restaurant residing at 1840 W. North Avenue is a hot Bucktown/Wicker Park hangout all year long, but especially during the sizzling summer months. During summer, the dining room goes al fresco, with floor to ceiling windows, the clear garage doors raised, an outdoor courtyard and second floor rooftop deck.
One part bar, one part restaurant, Chaise Lounge is one of those places to see and be seen. The rooftop is ideal for larger groups, offering lounge-style ottomans, white canvas canopies and booth seating. Private parties can also rent these cabanas out for the night.
If you can’t make it out to the roof, fret not. The inside decor of Chaise Lounge is just as enviable. The wide open dining room is warehouse modern, with exposed ceiling, pipes and garage style doors. A pastel color palette keeps things minimalist and flowing. White leather seats are surrounded by taupe walls, dark wood tables, mirrors and weathered hardwood floors. The tables are candlelit, so it’s just as good for in is just as intimate dates as it is for a larger gathering. The neighboring courtyard comprises a more casual ambiance, with black wrought furniture, patio umbrellas, and freestanding heater lamps. The extra protection is because as a Chicago establishment, Chaise Lounge knows to expect bad weather every so often.
The contemporary American cuisine with Southern influences is served up by Chi-town fixture Cary Taylor. The executive chef has the menu divided into two main sections: there’s “taste” for bite-sized portions and “indulge” for more entree servings. Some of the signature tastes include shrimp and grits with aged cheddar and crab cakes with arugula, apple and Dijon aioli. The menu also changes occasionally to encompass different ingredients that are in season. The current spring dinner menu offers warm weather dishes like Waldorf salad, as well as salmon and beef short ribs.
With your dinner, or at Happy Hour after work, try some of the delicious cocktails made by the resident mixologists. There is also a decent sized wine and beer list, along with custom, signature and frozen drinks, like the refreshing Henri II, made with Tanqueray, blood orange puree and ginger ale. And as always, save room for the Chaise Lounge desserts, which are indulgent and creative. The “strawberry shortie” is shortbread cake with red wine-marinated strawberries, along with homemade pistachio brittle and vanilla ice cream. As good as that sounds, the ultimate concoction is the Boca Negra, a sinfully rich chocolate cake with cognac, bourbon whipped cream and tangy passion fruit.
All of this comes at very recession-friendly pricing. Entrees cost anywhere from $12-$24, so you’ll be stimulating your local economy while getting your fill. If you’ve already been then you already know this, but if you haven’t then here’s a fair warning: make a reservation. This is especially vital on weekends around dinnertime. This haunt is so popular as a watering hole that some people do not even realize that it serves food, hence the full name, The Restaurant Chaise Lounge.
