Chicago - September 20, 2005

Way to Go

Landmark Opens

Directions? Ha! For you, it’s all about points of reference.

The Whole Foods on Ashland. The lake. The Aon building.

Today head to Landmark, the new restaurant across from Steppenwolf Theatre, just south of Boka (and owned by the same partners).

Set back from the street with a grand Louis Sullivan-inspired arch, Landmark drips with ’40s Hollywood glam — complete with vintage hotel fixtures and a translucent glass catwalk that catapults above the burgundy leather bar. Among the multilevel dining areas and booths (designed by Warren Ashworth of NYC’s Tribeca Grand Hotel and Union Square Cafe fame) is a VIP lounge for cocktailers and pretheater scenesters alike. There’s even a special booth with cell phone chargers.

For starters and mains, look for thin-crust pizzas from the wood-burning oven and fire-roasted entrees from the grill (double-cut pork chops, roasted whole striped bass). For those lunar cravings, check out the late-night bar menu (salmon and tuna tartare, bison steak, lobster club).

Just in case you don’t figure out which way is north until after midnight.

Landmark, 1633 North Halsted Street, at North Avenue (312-587-1600).