Latest news with #Dijonnaise
Time Out
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Chicago burger icon Au Cheval has temporarily closed—here's why
It's home to one of the best burgers in all of Chicago, a cheeseburger so good that, yes, we will begrudgingly wait on an hours-long line for it—so why exactly is Au Cheval closed right now? If you've tried to dine at the elevated diner at 800 W Randolph St in recent days, you'll notice that the usual patty-grilling proceedings have been paused But don't fret! According to Brendan Sodikoff, CEO of the restaurant's hospitality group Hogsalt, the shuttering will only be temporary, a result of a planned "refresh" of the restaurant's interiors According to Block Club Chicago, the West Loop flagship of the famous burger joint—which also has a sister location in New York City's Tribeca)—will have some "cosmetic" nips and tucks over the next few weeks, including "painting, fixing tile and upholstery as needed.' As for when the restaurant and its standout burger will return on Chicago's culinary scene, the Au Cheval website presently boasts a banner that reads: "We are temporarily closed for a refresh. We look forward to welcoming you back late May." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Au Cheval Diner (@auchevaldiner) While Au Cheval proper remains closed for the majority of the month, its spinoff spot Small Cheval—which similarly serves juicy double-decker cheeseburgers as well as fried chicken, dipped cones, craft cocktails and more—will still be operating, with locations in Rosemont, Hyde Park, Riverside Plaza, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Waveland, Milwaukee Ave and Lake St. Prolific restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff—whose Chicago-based restaurant empire includes local eateries like Ciccio Mio, Aster Hall, Bavette's, Lobster Bar and High Five Ramen, among others—opened Au Cheval back in 2012 and soon gained national attention for its signature double cheeseburger, which comes piled high with Kraft singles, Dijonnaise and house-made pickles, and optional add-ons like a fried egg or thick-cut bacon.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The hidden west London bar that offers a must-try bottomless roast
Tucked away in the heart of Paddington, Smith's Bar & Grill offers an indulgent take on the classic Sunday roast. We opted for their bottomless roast experience, a 90-minute feast of unlimited starters, roasts, and desserts for £45 per person or £60 with bottomless drinks. From the moment we arrived, the calm, relaxed atmosphere set the perfect tone for a leisurely Sunday afternoon. A stunning bar setup at Smith's Bar & Grill, perfect for cocktails and conversations (Image: Holly Brencher) The staff were friendly and attentive, making sure our glasses stayed topped up and food arrived promptly. Warm lighting and elegant decor create a cozy dining experience (Image: Holly Brencher) The best part? You can order as many dishes as you like, and the portions are generous. We kicked things off with smoked salmon, burrata, beef carpaccio, and calamari. Indulge in Smith's Bar & Grill's bottomless starters, including smoked salmon, beef carpaccio, burrata with fresh tomatoes, and crispy calamari (Image: Holly Brencher) The smoked salmon, lightly smoked in-house, was silky and rich, perfectly complemented by the whipped crème fraîche, capers, and dill. The burrata was a creamy dream, bursting with freshness from the pesto, basil, and datterino tomatoes. The beef carpaccio was incredibly tender, served with a light Dijonnaise dressing that added a subtle zing. The calamari was golden, crispy, and paired with a smooth tartare sauce, a great contrast to the other starters. We opted for the bottomless white wine, which paired beautifully with the fresh starters and kept the meal flowing effortlessly. For mains, we started with the lamb shoulder and roasted pork belly. Indulge in a bottomless roast featuring succulent lamb shoulder, crispy pork belly, and all the trimmings (Image: Holly Brencher) Both were exceptionally tender, with the lamb falling apart with every bite and the pork belly boasting the perfect balance of crispy crackling and melt-in-your-mouth meat. But it was the 35-day aged British grass-fed beef picanha that stole the show. The star of the show! (Image: Holly Brencher) Cooked to perfection, it was deeply flavorful, juicy, and impossibly tender, making it an absolute must-try. At this point, we looped back to the starters and decided to try the ricotta pockets with aged St. Daniele prosciutto, which were delicately rich and packed with salty, creamy goodness. For dessert, we both went for the churros, which arrived golden, crisp, and dusted with sugar, served with a luscious hazelnut chocolate sauce and a hint of orange zest. To switch things up, we swapped our wine for the cocktail of the week, which was a lovely touch to round off the meal. (Image: Holly Brencher) Final Verdict: This bottomless roast at Smith's Bar & Grill is a game-changer. The ability to order unlimited dishes, all beautifully prepared and full of flavor, is an absolute luxury. The meats were fresh, succulent, and expertly cooked, while the starters and seafood were of outstanding quality. At £45 for bottomless food and £60 with drinks, it's incredible value for money. The calm, welcoming atmosphere makes it a perfect Sunday retreat, and it's hard to beat the generous portions and top-tier service. If you love a traditional Sunday roast with a gourmet twist, this is one experience you won't want to miss.
