Best Intentions - Cocktails & Food - Logan Square

Those who spend time on the Logan Libation Loop know this place well but with all the more familiar places that are so often mentioned, Best Intentions doesn't always get its due. The staff is very friendly, the cocktails -- both originals and classics -- are well executed, and the food is excellent. In fact, the food was so good at our most recent visit, it was the main reason I decided to post this here in EOiC, rather than in Something To Drink.

I realized last week, after having their tasty offering at Cocktail Social, that I don't make it in nearly as often as I'd like. So, I remedied that situation with a visit this week that was, unsurprisingly, really enjoyable.

I had some pours of Vago mezcal (elote, cuixe) and my wife had a few cocktails: Cal's Feelings (an original, gin-based with amaro and a nicely applied touch of sherry), a Negroni and a Martinez. I tasted all 3 of them and thought they were very well made. I really loved the Cal's Feelings. I'm a sucker for that nutty finish that sherry delivers and here, it was really well executed.

We were pre-show and considering having dinner when out of the blue a new menu item was sent out for us to try: Fried Ramps with fried smashed potatoes and white beech mushrooms topped with a sunnyside up egg and ramp butter, served over Romesco sauce. This dish was spectacular. Everything in the bowl would have been great on its own but combined, they synergized into one helluva memorable composition. We were likely staying for dinner anyway, but that dish certainly sealed the decision.

Sticking with the seasonal approach, another food highlight was the Charred Asparagus Salad that also included watercress, spring onion tops, sliced almonds and wild rice krispies; all of it tossed in an ancho-honey vinaigrette and topped with a bit of freshly grated parmesan. A Chicken Sandwich was delicious and truly inspired. It featured thigh meat on a buttered and toasted steak roll, and was garnished with Hunerkopf chicken liver mousse, scallion aioli and red cabbage slaw. Just frigging awesome. We also had a Double Cheeseburger (muenster and sharp cheddar, giardiniera aoili, Angostura caramelized onions, shredded herb iceberg, toasted potato bun) and Fries, both of which were delicious and also very well executed.

The tunes are eclectic and excellent - we heard everything from Donovan, to The McCoys, to The New Vaudeville Band, to Leon Redbone during our session. And again, the hospitality is top-notch. This is a great bar with a ton to offer, including outstanding food and a splendid outdoor patio, which should be open for the season soon.

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Best Intentions
3281 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(312) 818-1254