Saturday night is here and you and your significant other want to go out for an enjoyable dinner. When living in Wicker Park, there are many fine restaurants to sample and celebrate. Some of the very best restaurants in this neighborhood include Takashi, The Store Front Company, Schwa, and Trencherman. Each top dining destination offers different types of food that are presented with quality and pizazz. With features in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, Bon Appetit, and TV shows, these date night restaurants are exciting and sophisticated.
1. Takashi
Does French American fare with Japanese influences sound like heaven? Then Takashi is the restaurant to go to on a night out. Chef Takashi has worked for numerous high end restaurants including Okada at Wynn Las Vegas and Tribute in Detroit. Takashi has won many awards including the Michelin Star Rating in 2010 and has had an appearance on Top Chef. The menu includes cold plates, hot plates, beer, sake, and a Chef’s tasting menu. Some of the well known desserts include the Stone Fruit Parfait and the Sesame Panna Cotta with Genoise Cake. The Chef’s tasting menu offers specialities such as the soy-ginger caramel pork belly and the egg and pistachio macaron. Reservations to dine at Takashi can be made on their website or by calling. The restaurant is located at 1952 North Damen Avenue.
2. The Store Front Company
Modern farm cuisine is what The Store Front Company offers to it’s guests. With Chef Bryan Moscatello, this modern restaurant features dinner cocktails, sweets, a Chef’s tasting menu and an elaborate dinner menu. Main entrees include Merlot Romaine, made of char, frisee, spring radish, allium, and rye and Hen which includes split peas, mushrooms, crepes, pudding and tendrils. Desserts are scrumptious and range from goat milk ice cream to macarons. The Store Front Company has been featured on WGN Chicago and the Chicago Tribune. Considered a hidden gem, you can make reservations on their website. The Store Front Company is located at 1941 North Damen Avenue.
3. Schwa
Claiming to be “easy to miss but hard to forget,” Schwa sits on the edge of the Wicker Park neighborhood. Chef Michael Carlson creates a nine course meal that can be enjoyed alongside great wine. The current nine course meal includes crab, apple pie soup, tagliatelle, botarga, tiger fish, biscuits and gravy, beef, cheese and dessert. The entire meal will cost you $110 per person without drinks. This contemporary restaurant has been featured in Food and Wine, GQ, Chicago Magazine, and the Chicago Tribune. Schwa’s artististry can be watched on their website which has many videos depicting the creation of their food. Reservations can be made by phone only and BYOB is by reservation as well. The restaurant is located at 1466 North Ashland Avenue.
Trencherman is located at 2039 West North Avenue and offers dinner, wine, cocktails, and dessert. Known for their Walleye and Fried Chicken, Trencherman offers American styled dishes. Executive Chefs, Michael Sheerin and Patrick Sheerin are brothers that are both owners. Bar food is offered and some of the main dishes to choose from are the House BBQ Beef Jerky and Pickle Tots. One of the current events being held is a collaboration between Trencherman and Arami, another restaurant in West Town. The event is called Kyuoucho, and it is a menu created by the two restaurants. The menu includes six courses with pairings and is $75 per person. In addition to the food, the event includes small bites and cocktails. Perfect for a date night out, Trencherman takes reservations through their website. This amazing eatery has been featured in Red Eye Chicago, Bon Appetit, and The Chicago Reader.