Bin 36 -- Recommendations

I haven't been to Bin 36 in long time, but will be going this weekend.

Does anyone who has been there recently have any recommendations?

This may not help, as I've only been to Bin wine cafe (not the original Bin 36), but our waiter intoned that some items were available at both places.

If so, get the Crispy tempura green beans. They're tempura-like fried green beans, served with aioli and bacon-y, citrus-y, herb-y "sprinkles." Not only do I think they're awesome, but also Chicago magazine named them as one of the best dishes of 2007.

We also got the "fat city" cheese flight, which featured a smooth, creamy honey-infused goat cheese and a Persian fetta that was unlike any feta i'd ever had in a very good way - delicious.

Leave the gnocchi to italians, though - little more than mashed potato balls.

I ate there Monday night and had a very nice dinner. We shared an appetizer that had a small portion of raw tuna, raw salmon, and beef carpaccio with pine nuts and a quail egg on top. The carpaccio was interesting, but I wouldn't order it again. My girlfriend got the seared ahi tuna entree; it was very good. I had the organic chicken breast, which was perfectly cooked and had a delicious skin. However, my sides were VERY salty (mushrooms, potatoes, and some sort of greens). We split the chocolate dessert for two. It was good, but I don't think it was worth $16. I wish I could speak to the cheese selections, but the gf is lactose intolerant. booooo!

Decided to spend the night at the Sax Hotel this past Saturday and eat at their Bin 36 Restaurant. I was a bit disappointed.

Started the meal with:
Basket of Gougeres House Made Parmesan Cheese Puffs, Truffle Honey

Puffs were pretty absent of taste and their truffle honey was a bit too sweet for my palette (though I'm not a huge fan of honey to begin with)


Oysters on the 1/2 Shell

Give props when props are due. Their oysters tasted fresh, and are the best I've had in some time.

Quesadilla

Complete garbage. Not sure if they were sitting under the heat lamp for too long (service was not the quickest), but the meat was dried out, and the tortilla tasted like paper.


New York Strip Steak Scallion Potato Hash Cake, Braised Watermelon Radish


No complaints about this dish. Steak was nicely seared, and Potato Hash Cake tasted great.

Churros with Spicy Mexican Chocolate Pyramid

Churros were good, but I have a weak palate as far as spice is concerned. Ultimately, it was alright...

Given the price (100+), I don't think I will be dining at Bin 36 any time soon.

I would highly recommend the mussels in tarragon sauce...they're delicious. It's a generous serving of big, fat mussels served with grilled bread.

After 15 years in River North, Bin 36 is packing up its wine flights and cheese bar. The wine bar and restaurant is set to leave its space in the Marina City complex along the Chicago River, according to people familiar with its plans.

Owner Dan Sachs, who opened Bin 36 there in 1999, plans to move into a smaller space in the West Loop, just east of the Kennedy Expressway, according to those people. Province previously was in the 5,615-square-foot space at 161 N. Jefferson St. before abruptly closing last November.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... 5-year-run

Dave148 wrote:

After 15 years in River North, Bin 36 is packing up its wine flights and cheese bar. The wine bar and restaurant is set to leave its space in the Marina City complex along the Chicago River, according to people familiar with its plans.

Owner Dan Sachs, who opened Bin 36 there in 1999, plans to move into a smaller space in the West Loop, just east of the Kennedy Expressway, according to those people. Province previously was in the 5,615-square-foot space at 161 N. Jefferson St. before abruptly closing last November.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... 5-year-run

Bin 36, which closed its restaurant and wine bar in River North in November after 15 years, is scheduled to reopen on April 10th at 161 N. Jefferson St. in the West Loop.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... next-month

anyone been to the reopened location?

I was there a couple weeks ago for cocktails before heading over to dinner at Proxi, so I can only speak to the bar, but it had a very nice selection of wines (as you would expect). They had a nice patio for outdoor seating, but the indoor space felt a little boring...it didn't have a cozy or warm feel to it. It was a bit sterile.

Yes and I have never been disappointed with the wine, food or available metered parking. The bar vibe feels boring, but I enjoy the space with the tables. Always great service!

Bin 36 Wine Bar Closes in the West Loop After 18 Years In

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/1/23/169 ... -shuttered