ZED 451
one block south of Chicago Ave
Cuisines: English
About
If you often find yourself staring indecisively at menus because everything sounds good -- and you've got a hearty appetite -- the ZED 451 concept is made for you. Pay a set price ($49 per person), and you get unlimited trips to the "Harvest Table," a trendy take on the salad bar, with offerings such as roasted cauliflower with balsamic vinegar glaze, wine-poached pears topped with crumbled goat cheese, and homemade soups. Then, head back to your table, where the main course comes to you: Chefs stroll throughout the restaurant, offering appetizer-sized portions of the day's specialties, which could be anything from glazed pork ribs to lamb chops to duck. Try a little bit of everything, or keep requesting more helpings of something you particularly like. The restaurant itself is gorgeous, with soaring ceilings and sexy lighting; the extensive use of natural materials (from the stone pillars to the bar's rock garden) give this distinctly urban environment a warm, sultry vibe. If you're here in good weather, head to the rooftop deck for an after-dinner drink: The sparkling lights of the neighborhood high-rises make for a magical setting. As befits any cool downtown restaurant, the drink list has a good selection of specialty cocktails, many made with fresh juices -- I give the blackberry mojito a very enthusiastic thumbs-up.
