"Consistent and Delicious"

November 7, 2012

• Food: Savory and heavy but very good
• Decor: Communal tables, energetic, overall fun environment
• Service: Attentive
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great beer and wine list

Overview:

One of my favorite places in Chicago. Great spot to bring out of town guests and/or clients. Fun environment with standing room tables for those who just want to grab a few drinks and some pork rinds (Which are amazing!)

Communal tables are offered but you can specify if you prefer a non-communal table.

The food is delicious, unique and heavy but consistent. I have never left unhappy. The fish entree options are extensive, if you do not eat red meat. The fish stew is remarkable and easily shared between two. The meat options are always favored and are delivered with large portions.Theportions.The Farm chicken and blood sausages are two of my favorite meat entrees.

Also, Saturday brunch is a winner. Heavy and a bit too savory for my taste but good for a once in a blue moon brunch. You can always just go for the bloody marys! They are outstanding...great cocktail ornaments!

Recommended Dishes:

Dinner: Pork Rinds, Fish Stew, Farm Chicken Brunch: Anything and a Bloody Mary!

"Carnivore's paradise"

August 29, 2012

• pork
• butcher
• bourbon
• meat

• Food:
• Decor: rustic, pig-inspired, cozy
• Service: laid-back, attentive
• Cost: $$$$
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

Bloodthirsty customers can dine on suckling pig, blood sausage, or beef heart 'till their own heart is content (or wallet is empty...) Vegetarians and lighter foodies, take heed, the beer, vegetables, and fish are top notch too. This place has it all -- ambiance, down-to-Earth waitstaff, and without a doubt, the best food in Chicago. This reviewer (from Kentucky) is pleased by the bourbon selection too.

Recommended Dishes:

suckling pig

"Best Brunch and Bloodies"

July 25, 2012

• Outdoor dining
• Brunch
• Bloody Mary

• Food:
• Decor: Country
• Service: Great
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great Bloodies

Overview:

Honestly every time I go I try to order something different. I have had the red wine poached eggs, pork shoulder, salmon salad, and the lamb (not always there). All these choice are top notch, but my favorite has to be the lamb. The sauce that is drizzled overtop is incredible. You have to order a bloody when you go, they are the best in the city.

Recommended Dishes:

Lamb, Red Wine Poached Eggs

"Booze+Bacon=BestBrunch"

June 4, 2012

• outdoor dining
• brunch
• seafood

• Food: Fresh, creative seafood that doesn't hold back.
• Decor: Some of the coolest bathrooms I've ever seen. The outdoor patio was a bit loud, but nice on a sunny day. The inside is spacious.
• Service: Attentive, helpful and knowledgeable about the menu.
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Some of the best brunch cocktails.

Overview:

After months of salivating over the delectable reviews already posted here on FoodMafia.com, I finally saved up some money to spend on a well-needed girlfriend's brunch. My partner-in-crime, Mary, and I decided to meet at the Publican after a long year apart. We caught up on boys, travels, and internships over this fantastic brunch.

We perused the menu for a long while as our waitress answered all of our questions with stand-up answers and suggestions. I finally made a decision and ordered the Soft-Scrambled Egg Focaccia while Mary ordered the Soft-Shell Crab. We decided to go big and order a side of bacon to share, because I normally don't like bacon, but the waitress promised we had to sample their specialty. Because no brunch is complete without some creatively crafted drinks, I ordered the Gin & Treuse while Mary ordered a classic Bloody Mary (how fitting for her name!)

We received our drinks in no time at all. My Gin & Treuse was a refreshing mixture of Hendrick's Gin, gree charteuse, cucumber, lime, and Fentimen's tonic. It tasted like a spa, truly refreshing and a good subtle drink for a Saturday morning. Mary's Bloody Mary was a spicy mix of Tito's Vodka (my college favorite), Publican mix, housemade celery bitters, and a beer back.

As soon as I set eyes on the food, I fell in love with this place. The sailor-style shirts for the waitstaff wasn't so bad either. My Focaccia was a generous triangular cut of the Italian, cheesy toast with an even more generous heap of softly scrambled eggs, spring onions (deliciously carmelized), royal trumpet mushrooms & chorizo. I don't typically like sausage (I suppose I'm selective about pork meats), but the chorizo was spicy and perfectly seasoned to an almost bacon-like texture. The mushrooms also added a special richness to the dish. All of it combined with the crunch of the focaccia bread made for one complex and satisfying plate.
The bacon was actually a fried up pork belly, and it fell apart at the touch of the fork. It was chock-full of juice and cooked to perfection. I don't even like bacon, and I could eat this all the time.
Mary's soft-shell crab came served over a bed of cream polenta, which I mistook for grits (that's how rich it was) upon first glance, a fried egg and green harissa drizzled over the top. There were also some pickled asparagus to balance out the herbs in the harissa, which I had never seen before. The crab was succulent and fresh, and the combination of textures in the dish created an inviting meal. We were both so obsessed with the other's choice that we decided to eat half our plate then switch.

Sharers make the best of friends, indeed.

Recommended Dishes:

Focaccia, Soft-Shell Crab, Oysters, Bloody Mary

"Girlfriend Brunch"

April 18, 2012

• Food: brunch bliss
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Bloody Marys come with optional beer backs!

Overview:

We started out right with the Bloody Mary, a pickled flavored wonder with house-made celery bitters, and a beer back of Lagunitas Zephyr.

Then we had:
Decadent ricotta and zucchini bread with wildflower honey.

Soft shell crab sandwich with delicious cheddar melted on a sliced biscuit and thin crispy bacon.

Little gem salad with a creamy basil and buttermilk-muscatel dressing.

Recommended Dishes:

gem salad, soft shell crab sandwich, ricotta and zucchini bread

"AMAZING!"

February 23, 2012

• Communal Seating

• Food: Amazing
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Lagunitas on Tap! Delish

Overview:

Great food, amazing ambiance. This is not a place for a quiet romantic evening, but the food is to DIE for and well worth the loud non-private seating arrangements. I love the food here! We started with the pork rinds which were amazing, and the oysters were fresh even though they are not technically "local" here in Chicago. The duck breast was so good, non-greasy and super crispy skin. This was an amazing meal!!!

Recommended Dishes:

Duck Breast, Pork Rinds, Oysters

"A Midsummer Day's Dream"

February 2, 2012

• communal seating

• Food: Decidedly Medditerranean, with an American slant
• Decor: Homey, light and bright
• Service: Attentive and helpful, if a bit slow
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Delicious hard apple ciders

Overview:

My husband and I were lucky enough to get a patio table in the middle of last summer; and boy was I glad for it.

I'm not a huge fan of the communal seating, especially when I can't sit next to my husband. And, when the already seated parties are also already shouting at each other. Oy vey.

Twelve minutes later, we sat outside in the glorious Chicago sun. I had a hard apple cider that blows most apples out of the water, (ok, it was two!) and the food started showing up.

Fries with a fried egg on top are frakking genius, as is squid ink pasta. I wish I had taken better notes, because we ate a bunch of plates I can't remember. Oh well, just have to go back next summer! lol

One of my culinary highlights for the year! Hands down.

Recommended Dishes:

Fried eggy fries

"Incredible Eats"

December 22, 2011

• Shared plates

• Food: Sharing plates, pork and oysters
• Decor: Rustic, pig pens!
• Service: Perfect
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great

Overview:

Oh my god the Pork Belly. That's all I have to say...end of review.

Ok ok, this place was incredible. The interior is cool, definitely different, but the food really is the star. A friend and I had early reservations, so the server was able to hang out a bit and really go through the menu with us. We decided on the Bouchot Mussels and the Baccala Crostini- both great. The mussels were amazing, especially while dipping the rustic bread in the broth. We also shared the Pork Belly, and by "sharing" I mean I secretly resented my friend for having any access to this amazing plate of pork. I've been thinking about it since, and am definitely going back soon for more!

*Went back for brunch Sunday of New Years weekend and was just as impressed as with dinner! We ordered drinks, the Bouchot mussels again, maple-glazed pork shoulder, hoppin' john, red-wine poached eggs, and bucatini alla carbonara. Everything was fantastic, and the Publican bacon was decadent, thick cut and rich. The crowd was fun, there was a lot of dancing going on- blowing off some extra New Years steam I guess! I absolutely love this place!

Recommended Dishes:

Pork Belly. Bouchot Mussels. Publican Bacon.

"Meat/Seafood eater's delight!"

December 9, 2011

• community dining

• Food: American, plates to share
• Decor: communal dining
• Service:
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: excellent wine and beer list

Overview:

Publican is a very cool space and definitely great option for a group of people. The plates are all intended to share and there is something for everyone. We sat at the long community table, but hope to sit at one of the "pig pen" booths next time. One of my favorite things about the seats is that they have a small shelf under each chair for your purse! BRILLIANT!

My favorite thing we got was the goat sausage. Comes with apples drizzled in a delciious sauce and really has an amazing mixture of flavors. So good.
Loved the beet salad, which is beautifully prepared and very tasty. We also had the brussel sprouts, which are prepared more like a salad and very different, but fantatsic taste.

GREAT restaraunt and I look forward to coming back again soon!

Recommended Dishes:

Goat sausage, oysters, beet salad

"One of my favorites"

August 22, 2011

• Food: Tapas
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great beer selection

Overview:

Excellent food, service, and beer

Recommended Dishes:

Blood Sausage

"One of my favorites"

August 22, 2011

• Food: Tapas
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great beer selection

Overview:

Excellent food, service, and beer

Recommended Dishes:

Blood Sausage

"All around wonderful"

July 19, 2011

• Community at it's best

• Food: American
• Decor: Lively
• Service: Excellent
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails: Delicious and reasonably priced (huge beer list)

Overview:

I really love the Publican. I have now tried almost every menu item and none of them have disappointed. Each dish is flavorful and beautifully presented. My advice - go with a group - and try one of everything!

Service is great (aside from one moderately cranky bartender in the waiting area...).

I love the communal table, but I was also able to sit in one of the 'jails' as we called it. It was so much fun to also sit in one fo the booths as you feel like you are part of a fun party, but can talk to your group and spy on the scene at the restaurant.

This is a great spot to take out of towners as well - to give them a good feel for the unique Chicago dining scene.

Recommended Dishes:

Everything

"Believe the hype."

April 10, 2011

• Food: Pork-a-palooza
• Decor: Big, bright, loud, but classy.
• Service: Wonderful
• Cost: $$$
• Wine / Cocktails: Great beer and wine selection.

Overview:

Hands-down, the best meal you will ever have from inside a hog pen (seriously, the hog pens are part of the decor). The Publican is the love child of uber-chef Paul Kahan (Blackbird, Avec), and chef de cuisine Brian Huston. The simple "beer, oysters, and pork" concept, fresh ingredients, skillful execution, generous portions, and friendly service make Publican a Chicago-foodie favorite. In my experience, the food is always great, the "scene" is always fun, and I always try to eat too much. Buy the kitchen a 6 pack (which is an option on the menu) and reap the rewards!

Recommended Dishes:

Pork rinds, oysters, cassoulet, Charcuterie. Anything "pig."

"I love pork!!!"

February 2, 2011

• Food:
• Decor:
• Service:
• Cost: $$
• Wine / Cocktails:

Overview:

OMG!!! The BACON!!! Okay, I officially have a new favorite for brunch!! Decided to go here for brunch on Sunday after had to cancel night prior's dinner reservation and all I can say is I can't wait to try out the dinner menu now! It was very busy but the service was still prompt and efficient. The bloody Mary was awesome, and I loved the pickled cauliflower addition! Their take on eggs benedict with eggs poached in red wine was incredible and I loved that it was on a slice of rustic bread rather than a soggy muffin! And again... the BACON!! Seriously delicious! Hoping my enthusiasm continues after I try dinner!

Recommended Dishes: