My-WoodenSpoon: Restaurant Review

I am officially back in Chicago for Winter Break, and what a better way to spend these two weeks then dinning at Chicago's newest hotspots with good friends. Wednesday's lunch was had at Grahamwich in River North. Personally I found the hype to be a little built up. Graham Elliot's latest restaurant is wildly populated. The hour and half we were there the line took up most of the small restaurant space and doorway. Definitely a place to go at off hours. Also, it is important to know they are cash only and have very little seating. And do not plan on sucking up to your co-workers with lunch because there is a four sandwich max per person.

Dining on sandwiches and pickles at the counter

Standing in line we were greeted with a delicious taste of rosemary apple cider and a sample of their greek yogurt topped with pomegranate seeds, glazed chestnuts, and dark chocolate. The menu is composed of 8 Sandwiches all $10. I chose their beef shortrib sandwich with baby watercress, shoestring potatoes, pickled shallots, and creamy horseradish on pretzel bread. The flavor profile of the pretzel bread was excellent, but the execution of table to mouth did not work. The bread was too small for the amount of ingredients, and the shortribs were tough and dry. Who am I a mere Culinary student to tell a Michelin rated chef how to serve a sandwich, but I like to think I have expertise in this category of cooking. Personally I would have served the sandwich with jus to compensate for the dry meat. Pretzel bread would have been perfect for soaking it up. One friend ordered the turkey confit sandwich with candied yams, stewed cranberries, field greens, and sage mayo on a dinner roll. She described it as thanksgiving on bread, but did not seem overly excited about it. The last sandwich ordered by our small group was the grilled cheese with wisconsin cheddar, shaved prosciutto, tomato marmalade, and cheese curds on pullman bread. This seemed to be the winner of the group and the one I would go back for.

With our sandwiches we tried the g'wich pickles described as,"seasonal veggies, possibly local, probably sustainable , hopefully organic". I appreciated the chef's sense of humor with his description and they were a tasty/healthy choice to eat with our sandwiches. Not overly pickled and a creative mix of veg. Shared as well was the g'wich popcorn; grated parmesan cheese, chopped chives, sea salt, cracked pepper, and truffle oil. To say the least it is not your ordinary popcorn. Well balanced and fresh, worth stopping in for a bag on the way to a movie.

Overall I am not running back, but would not protest a second visit once Grahamwich has had time to settle in.