Inside ... again: Chaise Lounge

There’s nothing like a new chef to reinvent a place, so after a couple of so-so meals during last summer’s opening, we were excited to revisit Chaise Lounge since the recent addition of executive chef Cary Taylor.

Taylor, who’s worked at Blackbird, Avenues and most recently Ambria, tells us he’s trying to use local ingredients in approachable yet creative contemporary American dishes. Though the menu’s still mostly meat and seafood, he introduced more vegetarian dishes, including a veggie crepe and a Waldorf salad, plus elegant, open-faced sandwiches for lunching ladies. Our risotto cake with pine nuts, balsamic butter and spinach was light and lovely ($14); our Chaise burger was a juicy, affordable ($8) alternative to heavier, $20 entrees such as braised pork filet and beef short rib.

Best of all, we were reminded of how much we love this Bucktown spot’s South Beach-meets-Scottsdale decor. The tented rooftop lounge is a swanky scene, great for cocktailing and conversation. (Look for the tent’s walls to come off soon; the roof will stay up so there’ll never be a rainout.) It felt like we were on a mini-spring break.

After another look, we’re ready to lounge around this Chaise again.

Chaise Lounge launches its full new menu April 1.

[ Karen Budell is the Metromix nightlife producer. ]
kmbudell@tribune.com

Add a comment