State and Lake

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Though the name of this Loop restaurant is pretty unimaginative, there's no way you'll have trouble remembering the location: It's at the intersection of State and Lake Streets. It’s also on the ground floor of boutique hotel The Wit. State and Lake is the primary breakfast, lunch and dinner spot for the trendy hotel (also home to Cibo Matto and Roof) and serves a mostly American menu focusing on artisanal ingredients. The day starts with the usual breakfast fare plus some fun surprises like Guinness pancakes and a short rib omelet, while lunch brings sandwiches such as a Cubano and a fried egg BLT with Creole mayo, salads and a few entrees. The evening menu includes plenty of options appropriate for sharing or snacking at the 17-seat bar, such as fried Marcona almonds, ale-steamed mussels with chorizo, and small plates like beef tartar and a crab-stuffed duck egg omelet. The dining room, designed by the Johnson Studio (the same firm that designed Tru) has far less of a hotel restaurant feel than you might expect. Cork floors, leather walls, plush banquettes and warm chocolate hues dominate the room, while the bar, made from antiqued wood, provides an inviting focal point.

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Loop restaurants, Chicago restaurants, Chicago restaurants, American contemporary restaurants