Between Boutique Café and Lounge

[Not sure this place has been discussed on LTH before - can you imagine how tough it is to search for a restaurant named "Between?"]

Was there Saturday night, for a quick bite after seeing incredibly sharp, incredibly well-directed, incredibly well-written, and incredibly raunchy performance of Smith & Grimm at Davenport’s, about a block away and across the street.

I didn't have a camera with me, but the party next to us was taking pictures almost constantly (and, from the looks of it, not a single photo of the food ... you know you're an LTHer when you notice they’re only taking pictures of each other … who cares about people when there’s food there?)

It was definitely a hipster hangout, but with the red fringe separating our couch and table from the rest of the room, it probably wasn’t quite so obvious that I singlehandedly raised the average age of the clientele by at least half a decade.

Overall, the food was better than expected from a scene like that. Small plates – the server recommended 3 shared plates to equal entrees for two. That was about right.

We started with meaty, well prepared scallops, which had a strange grey-ish tint to them, but otherwise a nice dish.

Two mini-burgers (quickly becoming a cliché) had a surprisingly full, meaty flavor on Parker Roll-type buns. They were accompanied by nicely fried thin french fries, which were (unfortunately) so heavily salted as to make them virtually inedible.

Tuna flatbread reminded me of a pizza crust – about 6” in diameter - topped with Ahi poke. This was probably the standout dish of the evening.

Open since last summer, Between isn’t really a destination, but it’s a great option if you’re in the neighborhood.


Between Boutique Cafe and Lounge
1324 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-292-0585

Good to hear. Beth works next door, and we'd been curious. It looked a little too loungey for us to try it on spec, though.

FYI...

Executive chef Radhika Desai is the lone Chicago representative for season five of Top Chef.

You can use the Santander Method (TM), 3 easy installments of $19.95, and put in the street number, 1324. This yields a number of good hits, including this report:

viewtopic.php?p=180885#p180885

Originally formulated for "Butter," works like a charm, even in the "More" era. One of the many reasons everyone should post the address of a place. Endorsed by Chef Tony, and comes with free Miracle Knife II!

gleam wrote:Good to hear. Beth works next door, and we'd been curious. It looked a little too loungey for us to try it on spec, though.

Ed,

You and Beth ever give Between a try?

Enjoy,
Gary

We have been to Between twice for their Sunday brunch, and LOVED it both times - including the savory dishes (bacon croissant bread pudding, eggs benedict on biscuits, duck confit club sandwich) as well as the sweet ones (creme brulee french toast).

G Wiv wrote:

gleam wrote:Good to hear. Beth works next door, and we'd been curious. It looked a little too loungey for us to try it on spec, though.

Ed,

You and Beth ever give Between a try?

Enjoy,
Gary

Nope, although now that there's the top chef connection, you never know. Although with Beth's brand new braces, who knows when we'll both be eating real food again..

Puts me in mind of yet another children's video...

Anyone been to "Between" Boutique Cafe and Lounge in Wicker Park?

Apparently the executive chef is going to be on the approaching season of Top Chef! Anyone tried her food?

Yay for Chicago representing!

Knowing people helps in life and tonight was that case.

I went to Between with a friend (also a friend of Radhika) and enjoyed a great night. I was able to try the Sweet and Spicy Shrimp along with one of the flatbreads dishes. Each was much more appealing and appetizing than the review in Red Eye suggested. Along with the two dishes I had a Chimay and Three Floyd's Alpha King, I didn't care for the Alpha King much.

Overall I enjoyed a great time sharing dinner and a drink with a Top Chef on her home turf. Radhika had just come back from a dinner at Schwa (only blocks away) and was very inviting as she sat with us and welcomed a talk about work and life.

Jayz wrote:Overall I enjoyed a great time sharing dinner and a drink with a Top Chef on her home turf.

It's cool that you got to dine with Radhika. I drove by her restaurant the other day since my boyfriend lives right near it but I have yet to dine there.

chewonthat wrote:

Jayz wrote:Overall I enjoyed a great time sharing dinner and a drink with a Top Chef on her home turf.

It's cool that you got to dine with Radhika. I drove by her restaurant the other day since my boyfriend lives right near it but I have yet to dine there.

You should stop in there sometime for a fun getaway. They've got a little area partially partitioned off with couches and all perfectly suited for two. If I had a date for Valentine's (mainly the day off ) I'd go back and enjoy a good meal with a glass or two of wine.