312

Any recent (or distant) reviews of 312 (corner of LaSalle and Washington)?

I'm not aware of any postings on 312, but Victor and I have been there three or four times (it's very close to his office) and never had a bad meal. They're dedicated to organic and local ingredients to the extent possible, and everything we've tried has been very fresh, with pleasant and attentive service.

Nothing out-of-this-world, though, and it is a bit pricey (not surprising for a hotel restaurant).

In other words, dependable but expensive.

I had lunch there not long after it opened. There were 4 of us, everything was good but as debo notes a tad on the pricy side as hotel restaurants frequently are (since I wasn't paying it was less of an issue). Sorry no detailed notes as it was quite some time ago.

I worked at 312 for a couple of years a few years ago. I have not dined there recently, but I can tell you that most of the pastas are made fresh in house, as well as the bread. When I worked there - plain sourdough as well as a flavored sourdough that changed from day to day for the bread baskets. This was a bread program set up by the original pastry chef for the restaurant - Heather Terhune (now the chef at their sister restaurant Atwood Cafe.) Chef Zanella is passionate about using local produce whenever he can and frequents both the Daley Plaza and Federal Plaza markets weekly during the season. He also makes very good meatballs from his grandmother's recipe. (This reminded me of a good laugh I had one day when I entered the walk-in cooler and found that a Mexican prep cook still working on his English, had labled a batch of them "Balls Meat." )
I agree it's a little pricey, and nothing on the menu will blow you away, but the kitchen is consistent and the atmosphere is pleasant.

LynnB wrote:I agree it's a little pricey, and nothing on the menu will blow you away, but the kitchen is consistent and the atmosphere is pleasant.

I've had a few stunners there. Zanella's gnocchi is light and wonderful. And I had a fabulous basil panna cotta on one visit.

312 Chicago
312/696-2420
Hotel Allegro, 136 N. LaSalle St.

I second the gnocchi. Was very light and the sauce (rabbit ragu, if I remeber correctly) was excellent.

Heather Terhune is a bona fide sweetie - I worked with her a couple of Sundays ago at the Botanic Garden, on that 345-degree day, and there was not a cross word out of her, despite the arduous conditions. The food she whipped up was wonderful (a chunky gazpacho and a melon carpaccio that was to die for), and the audience loved her.

As just reported in Chicago Mag's "Dish," she's been promoted to exec chef of both the Atwood and the newly revamped South Water Kitchen, which is now being headed by Ryan Jaronik, formerly of Mas - and with whom I'll be working a week from Saturday at the Bot Gar during our annual Pepper Weekend. Talk about a small world...