THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Acadia

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Acadia Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: Ryan McCaskey’s classic, contemporary American spot in the South Loop flies in the face of current convention --- it's elegantly upscale, with unapologetically refined food in a minimalist dining room meant to showcase the artful plate presentations. While it's fine dining, the restaurant doesn't feel stuffy thanks to the convivial servers.

Likes: Paced service and a thoughtful menu both in the bar and main dining room.
Dislikes: The restaurant is definitely a destination --- not much going on down here in the evening. On the upside, parking is plentiful and Acadia boasts its own valet.

Food & Drinks: Diners can choose between a 10-course tasting menu, with or without wine pairings, or order à la carte. Taking inspiration from Maine, the menu trots out seafood-driven plates like peekytoe crab tart and Stonington lobster in coconut milk. Land-based dishes have included Elysian Fields lamb and A5 Miyazaki. In the bar, guests are equally spoiled; a $45 tasting menu samples bar snacks such as pheasant raviolo, puffed beef tendon and shrimp a la plancha. Savor every sweet, salty bite of the sticky rice cake, complemented by ground beef bolognese, Thai basil and cashew. Finish with a chestnut financier with chestnut cream. Cocktails continue the ingredient-forward theme. The wine list is smart and fairly spendy.