Chicago - June 09, 2008

Golden Graham

Graham Elliot Opens

Fine dining gives you the heebie-jeebies.

You’ve got the palate to eat with the pros, but getting fancy for a gourmet face-stuffing extravaganza makes you want to stay in and eat PB&J in your pajamas.

At Graham Elliott, haute cuisine doesn’t require haute couture. The bistronomic restaurant serves four-star food in a casual atmosphere cheffed by none other than James Beard-award winner Graham Elliot Bowles (of Avenues fame).

Cutting-edge dishes (cheddar-apple risotto, BLT-style halibut, short-rib Stroganoff) are juxtaposed with a chilled-out staff in Chuck Taylors and jeans. The former 18th-century printing warehouse has floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed brick walls and blasts tunes selected by Bowles himself, creating an easy-going vibe.

Let’s just hope those pretentious foodies stick to the stuffy joints.

Graham Elliot, 217 West Huron Street, between Wells and Franklin Streets (312-624-9975 or grahamelliot.com).