It’s Barrio, the new DineAmic Group spot that opens tomorrow in River North. And like its meatball-slinging neighbor, it’s helmed by a Top Chef alum, has a thing for oversized leather booths and comes complete with a record-filled DJ booth so dinner can seamlessly transition into a dance party. Check it out.
They spared no expense here, from the vintage steam truck host stand to the round bar surrounded by illuminated beams that spill out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk patio.
You’ll want to come with a few friends, commandeer a velvet-curtained cabana and allow servers to fill your marble table with grilled octopus tacos and long-bone lamb chops cooked on the “Mexican robata.” You see, chef Katsuji Tanabe takes cues from his Mexican and Japanese roots to come up with things like pozole ramen.
And of course there’s a substantial mezcal and tequila selection. 100 varieties, to be exact, as well as dragonfruit margaritas and spiked horchata. Plus, the only bottle of Patrón en Lalique in Chicago. Also known as $400 per ounce extra añejo.
