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Bentley Tavern on Southport Brings European Flair to Antiqued Building
The Bentley draws inspiration from the charming brasseries found
throughout Europe. Housed in an antiquated building rich with history,
the intimate 1,000 square foot space brings a sense of warmth and
familiarity to the neighborhoods of Chicago. Presenting gracious service
and satisfying fare, The Bentley seats 50
indoors and 50 outdoors, with walk-up sidewalk seating wrapped around
the building. Owner Brian Dohmen, a Chicago native who splits his time
between his hometown and New York City, named the unassuming restaurant
after Bentley, his 65lb Shepard/Boxer mix adopted from PAWS.
The corner location originated as a family-owned business in the late
1800s in the Lakeview neighborhood, which was predominately German at
that time. Over the course of the century, it’s also been a music school
for accordion instruction, Brieske’s Pale of Ale—where you could get
groceries and a bucket of beer, an art gallery showcasing some of
Chicago’s emerging artists, and even a brothel.
More recently, the space
thrived as Italian restaurant for nearly 30 years. The restaurant still
maintains some of that colorful character by refurbishing the original
bar and dark woodwork to capture the unique authenticity. With sleek
subway tiles positioned alongside weathered surfaces that are
purposefully preserved—the space accentuates its airy and open
ambiance, ample natural lighting provided by the tall bay windows and
elegant floor-to-ceiling French doors that open to the neighborhood.
The cuisine is the masterwork of chef Ian Flowers, an under-the-radar
up-and-comer who honed his chops as a restaurant consultant and as head
chef at Wicker Parkʼs LOKaL. Flowers focuses on progressive American
bistro fare.
Diners will find creative classics artfully presented, such
as raw bar offerings and composed salads packed with fresh sustainable
produce—as well as robust soups ($7-$8), light snacks, appetizers ($9-$13), entrees ($12-$26), and
desserts, all with attention to seasonal ingredients and sourcing.
Dishes include straight-forward options with an elevated twist such as
the Peekytoe crab cakes with red pepper-caper remoulade, and the Bentley
Burger stacked with pork belly, egg, mushrooms, pickles and ham—but
will also feature more sophisticated options such as the forest mushroom
& toasts with fired quail egg, hard cheese, and pea vines; seared
diver scallop with pork and pea fricassee; roasted duck breast with
aubergine caponata, cheddar polenta and saba reduction; and date &
walnut bread pudding with rum caramel. Is your mouth watering yet? Flowersʼ nouveau bistro cuisine
is casual and elevated, offering the best of both worlds. The menu will change seasonally, supplemented by weekly specials showcasing the freshest ingredients.
BRUNCH is available Saturdays and Sundays – lots of choices $10-$15.Eggs, Fritattas, Sandwiches, Chicken and Waffles, Steak and Eggs, and Bentley’s Signature Benedict.
Cocktails harken to the Golden Age of premium American libations. Expect
a catalog of classic cocktails made with high-end spirits, such as
Manhattans, Gimlets, and Martinis.
are rooted in Americana, but elevated to please todayʼs most discerning
palates. There are seasonally revolving specialty cocktails, a
Chicago-centric beer program, an extensive wine selection, and a coffee
program, complete with a full barista station.
Bentley Tavern 2834 N. Southport Ave Chicago IL, 60657 773.477.2283
Monday – Thursday: 5:00pm – midnight
Friday: 5:00pm – 2:00am
Saturday: 9:30am – 2:00am
Brunch: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Dinner: 5:00pm – midnight
Sunday: 9:30am – 11:00pm
Brunch: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Dinner: 5:00pm – 11:00pm
