A European Fine Dining Restaurant Opens Near Asia on Argyle

Argyle Street near Broadway in Uptown is known for its Vietnamese restaurants, but a new spot sticks out with fine dining European fare. Rhapsody debuted earlier this month at 1002 W. Argyle Street with dishes like lobster bisque, canard au vin, and day boat scallops. The restaurant also offers a four-course tasting menu for $65.

The restaurant is from Judy and Dan Pellicano. The couple also owns Stray Cat Tavern in suburban Elmwood Park. They’re described as restaurant vets from the New York area, according to a spokesperson. Stray Cat, which opened earlier this year, has been closed as the Pellicanos prepped to open Rhapsody. The new restaurant has no association with the Loop restaurant that closed in 2012 with the same name.

The food is from chef Derek Dwyer. His experience includes a short stint at Wrigley Field working with Levy. His resume includes stints as executive chef at Fuel Restaurant in suburban Wilmette. He’s also worked at two suburban restaurants which management feels more aptly show his level of experience: Nick’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill in Wilmette and Beelow’s Steakhouse in Lake Zurich.

The dining room seats 40. It’s BYO for now as the owners hope to receive a city OK for its liquor license in mid-January.

While pho and banh mi are readily available at other restaurants nearby, ownership hopes it could carve out a niche with their Eurocentric offerings. Check out the menu below. Rhapsody is now open.

Rhapsody, 1002 W. Argyle Street, (773) 769-5555, open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.