Enjoy eating locally sourced foods? Many of the ingredients featured are from local markets and farms (Green City Market, Green Acres, Leaning Shed Farm, Nichols Farm, and Orchard), so seasonality and availability help determine the cuisine. If you want some guidance, drop in on a Monday like I did and you can choose a five course chefs tasting for $40.
First course was the Frisee; pickled beetroot, shallots, oscypek cheese, and their slightly sweet LOKal vinaigrette make for a nice start to the evening. A lovely plate of mussels are up next and they feature crispy bacon, shaved fennel, red chili, Zywiec broth, and some crusty toast to help soak up all the goodness. Let’s stay in the water and catch some walleye next. Asparagus, kasza, and a beurre blanc sauce compliment this flaky white fish very well.
Our next course finds us on land to sample the very tasty venison loin. This lean meat is not the least bit gamey and swims in a red wine bigos stew and some tender roasted chestnuts. We should be at the dessert course now, but I figured I did need some pierogis after all! These aren’t your average pierogis, they are pan seared, filled with creamy butternut squash, and then topped with caramelized onions and hazelnuts. Good decision on my part, these are a must!
Now I’m ready for a little dessert to end my night. As with all the dishes previous, the dessert isn’t a very large plate and is not intended for sharing. The sinful poached pears topped with vanilla ice cream helped cap a lovely meal.
If the pre fixed meal isn’t your thing, then ordering a la carte is perfectly acceptable. Prices range anywhere from $6 for soup or $27 for the bison. Either way, LOKal will help re shape your ideas of Polish cuisine for quite some time. Rating *** and ½ out of *****.
Location
1909 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
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