Rock the Meal

Contemporary American cuisine with rock n’ roll vibe

Before entering Blue 13, you may stop and double check the sign to make sure the dimly lit restaurant with blaring rock music is actually where your reservations were booked. Once realizing you’re in the right spot, you look around to see that the décor is inspired by tattoo artwork and that many of the staff, including head Chef Chris Curren, are sporting ink themselves. As you stop absorbing the effortlessly cool surroundings of the small bare brick dining room, you remember that this is actually a fine dining establishment in Chicago’s River North and, you are beginning to feel quite trendy.

Clearly, Blue 13’s rock n’ roll inspired theme is not cut from the same cloth as a more traditional fine dining restaurant, but this goes beyond the décor. The menu, inspired by contemporary American cuisine with Italian and French flair, features dishes that have bold tastes and unique innovation.

Rabbit Tortellini ($10) with lemon caper butter sauce, fine herbs, and shaved pecorino makes an excellent appetizer. Venison Strip Lion ($31) with wild mushroom ragout, caramelized Brussels sprouts, horseradish potato foam, and apple gastrique is a savory entrée.

To quench your thirst they have mixed drinks ranging from $10 to $14, a fairly expansive wine list and on Tuesdays they feature half priced bottles of wine.

Anyway you look at it, Blue 13 boasts a creative, fine dining menu, but with a rock n’ roll twist that gives this small restaurant a trendy neighborhood feel.

Blue 13, 416 W. Ontario Street; (312) 787-1400 or www.blue13chicago.com