By: Joshua Conner
Dig if you will a picture of a hearth, in a restaurant and music venue tucked away in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. When the doves cry prepare for flavor explosions, mellow listening and the feeling of being transporting to an urban campfire.
The Promontory, is one of the many great places to dine at from the masterminds of 16” on Center Chicago. The Promontory’s muse is the “fire pit council rings at Promontory Point”. The restaurant and bar are designed around a brick hearth, respectively the restaurant is called “Hearth”. Chef Jared Wentworth manages the kitchen who has earned a Bib Gourmand and Michelin Star for his work at two other 16” on Center Chicago locations Dusek’s Board and Beer and Longman and Eagle. The Promontory provides scrumptious “tradition heaths in a modern context”. As far as beverages, The Promontory cocktail program, focuses on, “modern twists on classic cocktails”. History plays a major role at The Promontory, from its wine program that highlights historically significant wine regions, to the upstairs music venue that honors Hyde Park’s music legacy.
On Sunday, February 10, 2017, I had an opportunity to experience the majesty of The Promontory, for dinner. The restaurant is a diamond in the commerce ruff, as it located behind the Akira-Hyde Park. Allow your nose to be your guide as the poignant roast smell of the hearth, will lead you to your destination.
From the moment I walked inside the Hearth, I noticed the industrial chic ingenuity that only 16” on Center Chicago could produce.
From the inventive ceiling decal to the flowers growing through planks. Hearth uses relatively low lighting, not only being environmentally friendly, but also setting the campfire tone. The staff maintained a high level of cleanliness, which allows you to take in and absorb all the inventive nooks and crannies the facility has to offer. A detail I found unique, was how the backbones, not only set up tables for guests, they also place candles on the tables to really set the mood. Which to my surprise, even the restroom has the consistent campfire tone. From the low lightning, usage of candles and even support bars to help people with disability. On the music beat, Hearth, had a Grammy winning selection, as they played the Prince “Purple Rain” album in its totality. It’s was great to see the seasoned DJ control the record player from behind the check in station.
Speaking of check in, the service was very consistent with 16” on Center Chicago’s brand. I enjoyed seeing the staff interact with Hearth regulars with such a friendly presence. My host was very educated on the menu options and helped me pick selections that were simply decadent. There was not a crossed look, in the entire establishment. Everyone was positive, smiling, engaged and focused. I was really impressed at how despite the high volume of the restaurant was at the time, the Host still made me feel like I was the only one person in the room. Another strength of the Hearth service was the speed. I was amazed how fast the Host was able to replace a guest utensil after it had fallen on the floor. The front and back of house staff also looked very presentable in their uniforms as well, they could make flannel shirts and black T shirts a fashion statement. One moment, that I will remember during the night was when the host asked if any dessert, “tickled my fancy”. Although, a simple phrase, it really allowed his personality to shine through.
Speaking of dessert, Hearth creates scrumptious delicacies that will explode in your mouth once you take the first bite. Hearth’s menu setup is snacks, small plates, entrees and dessert. It is also good to note, that at Hearth you know where your food is coming from as it states right on the menu of the farms and purveyors used to make the dish possible. The snacks, small plates and desert are reasonably priced, and although the entrées may be a little high for some, you receive an immediate return on investment with taste.
For snacks I had the chickpea fries. The warm collection of goodness, was neatly placed in an oval bowl with a triangle napkin and small cup of charmoula ketchup. After trying the chickpea fries, you will not go back to any other fries. They are so light, buttery and flaky, and the ketchup provides just enough spice to make you think you are eating some savory hummus.
For the small plate, I had the house green salad. Not only could you taste the freshness of the ingredients, it left a colorful green impression from the plate. It also made me appreciate the dish more to know that it was produced from farm to table. The Werp Farms greens used in the salad were from Buckley, Michigan. It was tossed with Green Goddess dressing, cucumber and toasted pine nuts, which made the salad hearty.
For the main entrée, I went out of my comfort zone with roasted squash risotto. It was handsomely presented with three roasted stalks of squash on top of a bed of risotto. Once I took the first bite, it happened, the flavor explosions. The pomegranate seeds, oats, chestnut puree and pumpkin seed oil, gave a pleasant sweet and savory confusion to my mouth. Not only was the meal satisfying, it left me prepared for desert.
For desert, I had the Hearth’s combination of ice cream, which was a trio of tangerine, banana and coconut. It was very fresh and left a very cleansing after taste, it was like you just got done drinking a fresh cup of squeezed juice.
Overall, I had a great time at The Promontory’s own Hearth. I was dancing in my seat to purple rain, I was mesmerized by the candles in the night and I had a great locally sourced meal that left me satisfied. I highly recommend you take the load off and relax with some fine dining at Chicago’s urban campfire.
