The Perfect Cure
A brief tour of good spots to score a charcuterie plate.
By Penny Pollack and Deb Wilk
 Photo: Tyllie Barbosa |
The dining scene"s continued love affair with small plates means that charcuterie plates have popped up on menus everywhere-with some kitchens pushing the genre to include pâtés and cheeses along with the cured meats. Herewith, a brief tour of good spots to satisfy your inner carnivore.
THE SPOT | THE FARE | THE PRICE | THE SCENE |
| Francesca's Forno (1576 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-770-0184) | Unimaginative Italian meats and cheeses (three each). Sole accompaniment: table bread. Highlight: fluffy ricotta, drizzled with acacia honey | Any three items for $16; five for $25 | Line outside, earsplitting mayhem inside |
| D.O.C. Wine Bar (2602 N. Clark St.; 773-883-5101) | Four meats with spare but tasty cornichons, cherry peppers, and mustards. Stale bread a minus; zesty Spanish chorizo a plus | $12 for the platter | Dark neighborhood haunt great for a casual date. Bummer about the syrupy soundtrack |
| Ballo (445 N. Dearborn St.; 312-832-7700) | Mountains of authentic goodies ordered from a dim sum–style sheet. Add veggies, cheeses, and olives for a mini-meal. | All items $2 to $7 each | Trendy enough for tourists, schmaltzy enough for your Sicilian uncle |
| Osteria Via Stato (620 N. State St.; 312-642-8450) | Approaches haute status. Parmesan shards, mixed olives, and salami Italiano add up to chic. | Each cured meat, $3 to $5; garnishes free | Polished Lettuce Entertain You concept with slick service and movie-set atmo |
| The Tasting Room (1415 W. Randolph St.; 312-942-1313) | Topnotch flight of smoked meats and pâtés with sides of cornichons, caper berries, spiced nuts, and gobs of grainy mustard | $18 for the flight | Low-key tone for West Loopers; loftlike space draws bikers and hipsters alike. |
This article appears in the November 2005 issue of Chicago Magazine.
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