CHIReview
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
En Passant
This spot is Permanently Closed.
Included In
Signs you’re at a good party:
People are talking and laughing.
The playlist understands how terrible your week was.
Someone made sure the booze you brought received the love and care it deserves.
There is no sign of your ex and/or a cheese tray with sweaty, shiny cheddar.
And all of the above is true at En Passant (except for the ex part, which we can’t guarantee). While this little restaurant in Logan Square isn’t technically a party, eating at En Passant feels like being at a perfectly chill one. It’s casual, and the small team of friendly people working here make sure you have a good time - specifically by helping you eat a bunch of delicious food.
You’ll find a lot of different dishes on the menu, which is too broad for categorization but can easily be described as “flavorful as f*ck”. One of our favorite starters is an escolar crudo topped with black garlic honey and dollops of tangerine jam. It manages to be rich and light at the same time, and the bold toppings enhance the butteriness of the fish. The creamy risotto has a decadent amount of parmesan (that is not an adjective we use often, but it applies here), and is seasoned with just enough tarragon. Tender fennel sausages are topped with a sweet and spicy Calabrian caramel sauce, and served with escarole that soaks everything up like a leafy sponge.
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
And fun fact: En Passant’s chef is the original chef behind Au Cheval. You might have heard about their cheeseburger? Well, there’s an incredible burger here too, and it has only three components: beef, marie rose sauce, and balsamic onion jam. Not only is it delicious, but you won’t need to wait two hours for a table to eat it.
This place works for a night out when you want to catch up with friends, or for just a low-key date night. The restaurant is dimly lit, with vintage touches (like chandeliers and candles) decorating the space. The lighting is 85% more likely to make you look good, and there’s a surprisingly great sound system playing music at a level where you can still hear your table, but not the people around you. The great music, lighting, and food make this place a vibe. And that vibe is: “I want to stay here for several hours and eat things...oh sh*t, is that my ex?”’
Even if it is, this place is so enjoyable you won’t care.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Escolar
photo credit: KIm Kovacik
Chicken Liver Mousse
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Risotto
photo credit: Kim Kovacik
Eggplant And Mushrooms
photo credit: Kim Kovacik