Fred's at Barney's of New York

I'd read a lackluster review of this place so I didn't even bother looking at the menu whenever I was in the area, even when I was in the store looking for a cap with DH a few weeks ago. Given the sizes of clothing on offer, I assumed it was the kind of place where people pushed around the contents of their plate and just chatted. Last week someone I trust was surprised I hadn't been and said the food was good.

It's hard to get good food in that area. I went today assuming, you can't really mess up a salad and had a lovely lunch in a great environment.

Note: There is nothing on this menu that you can't do at home, but I wasn't at home and needed to eat and run.

The bread service was a surprise. A lovely ciabatta bread and lightly salted bread flats (more like a crisp than anything else). The butter & the olive oil were both delicious.

I had the spinach & mushroom ravioli with a side of sauteed spinach.

The ravioli were a decent size and there were about 5 of them. They were light and I didn't need a nap after I ate them. Nice shavings of parmesan that were sweet and nutty.

My server was kind enough to bring me a demitasse of the chilled asparagus soup. This was perfect on a day like today, and yes I'm already hunting for recipes to make this soup very soon.

Dessert was a mascarpone cheesecake but the surprise was caramelized sugar topping, like the crackly good bits on a creme brulee.

I sat outside on the rooftop deck and it was all very pleasant. I hated to leave. It was lovely.

Service was efficient and effective.

Fred's at Barney's
Fred's Chicago
15 East Oak Street
Chicago IL 60611
312.596.1111

Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm
Fri: 11:30am - 11pm
Sat: 11am - 11pm
Sun: 11am - 6pm

I, for one, am really disappointed that this post has nothing at all to do with the Flintstones.

Yabba dabba doo,
--Rich

pairs4life wrote:Given the sizes of clothing on offer, I assumed it was the kind of place where people pushed around the contents of their plate and just chatted.

Well, I'd say that happens, too, but I fit in the clothes at Barney's, and I don't push around my food.

I've been to Fred's a few times, not really my choosing. I found the menu and dishes on offer consistent with what I think of as Gold Coast/Viagra Triangle/Rosebud food or expensive Cheesecake Factory fare--big salads, pasta, steak. Fred's offers more refined versions of these staples, but overall it's still much more staid than what I think Barney's should offer, especially with the new, edgier space. I'd like to see a stronger connection between the identity of the department store and what you can eat there, kind of like Takashimaya in NYC back in the day.

If I had to eat lunch near Barney's, I'd choose Balsan--similar price point, more interesting food.

Balsan (Metromix link; can't find the restaurant's site)
Elysian Hotel, Third Floor
11 E. Walton St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-646-1400

Luxury retailer Barneys New York is closing stores in Chicago and Rosemont (as well as others around the country) after filing for Chapter 11 earlier this month, according to the Chicago Tribune. With it goes downtown rooftop restaurant Freds Chicago

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/1/14/181 ... sures-2019

Barney's of New York has been there since my childhood.

MaxP wrote:Barney's of New York has been there since my childhood.

You're a youngster, it opened in 1993.

spinynorman99 wrote:

MaxP wrote:Barney's of New York has been there since my childhood.

You're a youngster, it opened in 1993.

"I've got ties older than him . . . and some shoes, too, I think."
Det. Lenny Briscoe, Law & Order