Ashok Selvam
is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.
If Gold Coasters need a chill escape from the craziness surrounding Rush and Division, they have a new option inside the former Hotel Indigo. The space is now known as Claridge House and the name change comes with a $9 million renovation including a new restaurant: Juniper Spirits & Oysters. The restaurant opened today at 1244 N. Dearborn Parkway.
The dining room seats 48 people and there is space for 45 in the lobby with 24 more seats on the sidewalk patio. The renovations are meant to preserve the 95-year-old building.
The all-day restaurant will eventually serve weekend brunch. Oysters, flatbreads, and modern American fare fill the menu. The bar will serve food until late night.
Take a look at the space and food below. Juniper is now open.
Juniper Spirits & Oysters, 1244 N. Dearborn Parkway, (312) 787-4980, open 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday to Sunday for breakfast; all-day menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday; open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Froday and Saturday; bar open 11 a.m. until late daily.
The new lobby bar.Coffee shop by day.Nosh and booze in the lounge.A more-secluded area.The main dining area.There’s curtains for privacy.Dirty (Bombay gin, vermouth, olive juice, olives)Mr. Cub (blackberry & pineapple shrub, vanilla syrup, & soda water)South Side (shaken Hendrick’s gin, fresh mint syrup & lime)French 75 (shaken Hendrick’s gin or Remy Martin v.s.o.p., rich simple, lemon, & sparkling wine)Mr. Claridge (Grey Goose vodka, english breakfast tea, honey, lemon, & house-made thyme bitters)Jack Benny Goodman (Tanqueray gin infused with yuzu peel, cointreau, lemon & house-made Meyer lemon bitters, shaken with egg white)Salad Lyonnaise (frisee, poached egg, brioche, lardons, & sherry)Filet Sliders (horseradish aioli, orange, & arugula)BLT (Nueske’s bacon, triple cream, & tomato jam)Angel Hair Zucchini (zucchini noodles, roasted cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, asparagus, & sunflower milk)Prince Edward Island Mussels )wine, dijon, garlic, herbs, & crostini)Fish in a Net (Potato nest, poached cod, & preserved lemon)Sauced Oysters ( a variety of Gin & Tonic, Spanish Sangria, Bloody Mary, or Greyhound)