River Roast

Roast Guard

Oysters, Lobster Sliders and Beer on the River

None 6 Photos River Roast
Prediction.

At some point this winter, you’ll ask yourself: “Did I spend enough time eating roasted meats and drinking beer and acting all jolly alongside the Chicago River last summer?”

If the answer is no, chances are you missed the part about River Roast, a waterside retreat of hearty food, cold beer and great cocktailing potential, opening next Wednesday.

Know this:

Tony Mantuano is involved. Pasta, not so much.
The Italian chef teamed up with John Hogan (he of the now-defunct Keefer’s) to swing you from oysters and lobster sliders to charcuterie and whole roasted chicken served upright in a cast-iron sombrero-looking thingy.

Drinks after work: good idea.
You’ll soon be sitting at the upstairs bar (the Roost) for Belgian ales and Scotch eggs. You’ll head down to a woodsy retreat to soak in skyline views along the river while sipping Amaro Swizzles with lemon-mint-infused whiskey, fernet and other stuff you’ll forget by the time you finish drinking it.

It’s great for quick lunches and slow brunches.
The “Lunchtime Quickie” involves a carving station, getting in and getting out. The “Blues & Brew Brunch” involves beermosas, shrimp and grits, and rabbit and waffles all set to the sounds of rhythm and blues.

And... no, that’s enough “ands.”

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