Vermillion 10 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60610
Vermillion, the 17-year-old River North restaurant known for an innovative blend of Indian and Latin cuisines, smartly used pandemic shutdown time to refashion its menu and restaurant design.
Launch with artichoke pakoras, classic Indian fritters that are crispy pillows waiting to be dipped into eggplant coconut chutney. Consider blue corn crusted scallops with hearts of palm or cilantro paneer, Indian cottage cheese shellacked with tamarind and sided with refreshing jicama slaw. Empanadas (tomato cauliflower, spinach queso curry leaf and chorizo potato hash) manage to be both hearty and light.
Tandoori skirt steak (or Portabella for vegetarians) may be the model dish illustrating Vermillion’s seamless marriage of Indian and Latin flavor and technique: seared Churrasco, Indian marinade, garlic spinach, raita and plantain crisps.
Desserts are worth the calorie count especially Vermilion’s Hedonism, dark chocolate cake seasoned with chili and Masala orange partnered with berry cardamom sorbet.
For the indecisive, there’s a vegetarian ($65), seafood or omnivore ($80) tasting menu that doesn’t disappoint. Since Indonesian fare is hard to find in Chicago, will return to try the “Indonesian Rijstafel Platter” (beef or jackfruit rendang, nasi goreng fried rice, onion chili sambal, Indonesian salad).
Guests can dine for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday (5pm-10pm) for patio and indoor seating, as well as order for pick up/delivery. Taste a lot during Happy Hour, Wednesday-Sunday, 5pm-7pm, with limitless chaat, pakoras and C-Cubed Sangria ($30).
Safe and socially distanced patio seating under a white gazebo on Hubbard Street is inmate, airy and perfect for people watching.
Service is attentive without being intrusive.
The bright new interior features white floors, bold bar lighting and a 10-seat fire table with flames heralding autumn.
Try one of Vermilion’s cocktails which may be an Ode to Chicago, Herb & Spice, or Non-Alcoholic.