Perennial Virant

I'm briefly suspending my rule against reviewing reviewing places that I go for work-related purposes because this one was just so good.  I got my hopes up when I read through a cocktail list that had drinks that I was actually excited to order.  (I ordered a "Wise Fool," an improbably combination of two whiskies, two sherries, and fernet branca, whose sheer improbability demanded that I order it.)  It lived up to the billing.

Appetizers were better than entrees, but all of them had intriguing vegetable elements.  The pickled garlic accompanying my "gnocchi" was probably my favorite of the lot, followed shortly by the fried kale.  I'd go into detail about the rest of the menu, but there's no point, since it changes sufficiently often.

Suffice it to say that if you said you wanted to eat someplace in Chicago that specialized in cocktails and pickled vegetables, your friends should send you here.

We had Brunch here.  It was good!  We made reservations, and somehow waited longer than a few walk-ins that we saw come in after we did, but that was not a big deal.  We had a drink, and were able to talk to the bartender who was very friendly.  Our food was great (French toast and a breakfast sandwich).  I had heard that the portions were small, but that is NOT true.  We were both full, and very happy!

A Tuesday night, a frigid night in Chicago, and Perennial was a warm and rewarding refuge. We started with the Diver scallops and the beet salad. So tasteful I let the food melt on my tongue first before chewing. A cornucopia of flavors. We followed with the Whitefish and Rainbow Trout entrees, accompanied by a bottle of Sancerre. How could food this delicious also be healthy for us, too? Perennial finds a way. I love supporting seasonal dining and farm-to-table meals.