Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/241240
GUIDED TOUR Gastro Getaways From Vietnamese fare at Le Colonial (FAR LEFT) to New Orleans– style dishes at Nouveau Tavern (BOTTOM RIGHT) and Centro Ristorante pasta (BOTTOM LEFT), Brad Laney finds comfort in Chicago's exotic eateries. WHERE TO EAT TO ESCAPE THE WINTER DOLDRUMS? NO STRANGER TO EXOTIC CUISINE, CELEBRITY CRUISES' BRAD LANEY SHARES HIS FAVORITE LOCAL DESTINATIONS. BY ELLE EICHINGER F Nouveau Tavern "The jambalaya and the shrimp and grits are great; this is truly an authentic New Orleans– style restaurant. I love the crab leg appetizer, which has a great mix of sweet and savory spices. Chef [Norman Hargrove] spent six months or so in New Orleans, and his concept is to bring Big Easy – style food to Chicago with his own little twist." 358 W. Ontario St., 312-915-4100; nouveautavern.com Le Colonial "When I'm dining here I feel as if I'm in French Vietnam—the whole environment just takes you away. This winter I'll definitely be coming here for the Bo Sate: ultratender filets with sate spice, yams, and string beans." 937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0088; lecolonialchicago.com 78 Chicago q "I'm good friends with [chef/partner] Lee Ann Whippen; within a month or so of knowing her, we invited her over for Thanksgiving because she's not originally from Chicago, and she offered to smoke our turkey. I enjoy her competition-style ribs, but there's not a thing on her menu I wouldn't eat." 1160 N. Dearborn St., 312-642-1160; chicagoqrestaurant.com Au Cheval "My first time going here was with [Check, Please! host] Catherine De Orio. It's got a cool New York vibe to it; I see it as a late-night place, the stop-off after winter events. They have a great Sazerac, which is my drink, and great reel-to-reel music." 800 W. Randolph St., 312-929-4580; auchevalchicago.com Centro Ristorante "When I started my career with Keroff & Rosenberg Advertising in 1990, I used to go to Centro with a bunch of buddies from different agencies once a week—it was a big treat to not eat Ramen noodles—and we'd split [dishes] and just have a great time. They just reopened, and even though it's in a different location, it's nice to have the namesake back. My favorite meal is the angel hair pasta with vodka sauce (I add broccoli and chicken) with a bottle of wine." 6 W. Hubbard St., 312-988-7775; rosebudrestaurants.com mk "The service here reminds me of the way you're treated when you're aboard a Celebrity Cruise ship—the staff pride themselves on knowing what you want a nanosecond before you even know you wanted it. The food is phenomenal, and their wine list is great; it's just a nice treat." 868 N. Franklin St., 312-482-9179; mkchicago.com MA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF SCHEAR (LANEY) rom Palm Springs to St. Barth's, Chicagoans flock to warmer climes when the arctic winds start to blow. But you don't necessarily need to leave the Windy City to escape the winter chill—just ask Brad Laney, the regional marketing manager for Celebrity Cruises. In charge of all Chicagoland advertising, marketing, promotions, and events for the luxury cruise lines, the 46-yearold Gold Coast resident and industry veteran (prior clients include P&G/Gillette, Marriott Hotels, and Sears) is based firmly on land in Chicago. So when Laney needs a winter getaway himself, he gravitates toward restaurants that feel like a welcome escape, including these local favorites. MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 078_MA_Taste_Tour_Winter_14.indd 78 1/10/14 9:55 AM