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Tour Rush Street’s Plush and Posh New Spot for High Rollers

Stockton opens Thursday night inside the Jellyfish space

An upstairs dining room filled with a big green couch and rattan chairs.
Stockton opens in Gold Coast next week.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Jellyfish built a loyal following of locals and celebrities during the clubby Pan Asian spot’s seven years in Gold Coast. But all good things must end and ownership decided to close it and open a new two-story restaurant and nightlife spot highlighting global flavors. Stockton Restaurant and Lounge opens today at 1009 N. Rush Street and will host live music and DJs.

Co-owner Josh Carl hopes to cultivate a cushy and laid-back atmosphere. A live plant wall, plush lounging couches, and velvet banquettes soften the aesthetic compared to the space’s former look. Low lighting, narrow rooms, and red velvet curtains around a small stage lend a moody vibe to the restaurant, which seats 200. Next month, the owners also plan to open the Lounge at Stockton hoping to attract high rollers and celebs with special drinks and performances.

Executive chef Gerardo Martinez’s (Maple & Ash) menu includes a seafood tower (available in large and small sizes) dripping with whole lobster, oysters, Alaskan king crab, and jumbo gulf shrimp. A raw bar is also available. Sharable cold dishes include truffle burrata (confit cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, fried rosemary, Maldon sea salt, grilled toast points). Hot shareable dishes include Asian barbecue baos (braised Korean barbecue short rib, pickled papaya, carrot slaw, caramelized red wine onions, micro cilantro) and lobster mac (lobster, cavatappi, gorgonzola, grana padano, fontina, pecorino, herb parmesan, panko).

For those who miss Jellyfish’s sushi the new spot will still serve items like “black diamond” (shrimp tempura, crab, fish roe, cucumber, avocado), and diners can choose from a group of larger plates like “Jack’d up fried rice” (teriyaki hanger steak, hoisin chicken breast, sweet chili shrimp, pea shoots, fried shallots) and drunken mussels (PEI mussels, Allagash White, garlic, onion, butter, parsley). The menu also has also three vegan options.

The restaurant’s full bar offers a range of cocktails, wines, beers, and sakes. Eye-catching options include the “pinky out” (Beefeater Pink, Aperol, lime juice, simple syrup, club soda, strawberry ice cubes) and the “good karma” (Haku vodka, yuzu sake, muddled jalapeno and pineapple, lime juice, simple syrup).

The Stockton opens today. Take a glimpse at the space and a sneak peek at the lounge before next month’s opening below.

The Stockton, 1009 N. Rush Street, (312) 660-3111, open 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday.

A neon sign in a restaurant entrance reads “Stockton.”
Stockton steps into Jellyfish’s shoes.
A dark purple circular couch sits next to red round chairs.
Rich reds and purples add an air of luxury.
A long, narrow bar space across from a line of tables along a wall banquette.
The restaurant’s clubby feel comes from its low lighting.
A closeup of the long banquette along the wall
These tables look like an intimate spot to sip or swig.
An upstairs dining room includes a long red banquette.
The second floor offers a brighter atmosphere.
An upstairs dining room with big windows.
A living plant wall resides upstairs.
Upstairs dining room with a big green couch and brown rattan chairs
Comfy-looking couch seating and rattan chairs
A small stage is surrounded by heavy red curtains.
Here’s a sneak peek of the lounge which opens in November.
A plate of Stockton’s seafood salad.
Seafood salad (butter lettuce, baby frisee, cucumber, easter egg radish, avocado, crab claw, jumbo gulf shrimp, citrus vinaigrette, chives).
A plate of Stockton’s “napalm chicken.”
“Napalm chicken” (Thai chili, scallions, red pepper, green pepper, red onion, fried jalapeño, fried shallots)
A red and bubbly cocktail.
“Champagne de fleur” (Avissi prosecco, hibiscus puree, candied hibiscus flower)

Stockton Restaurant and Lounge

1009 N. Rush Street, Chicago, IL (312) 660-3111 Visit Website

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