| « Last Minute Savvy | Absinthe-Inspired Dinner at the Savoy » |
Openings Mon Aug 19 2013
CH Distillery Opens in the West Loop
The handcrafted spirits scene in Chicago is getting a serious lift tomorrow with the official opening of West Loop's distillery-cum-cocktail bar, CH Distillery.
Owners Tremain Atkinson and Mark Lucas are joining the cadre of Chicago-area distillers, Koval, FEW, and Letherbee, though CH is specializing in vodka crafted from scratch, with grain grown exclusively in Illinois. Their 8,000 sq-ft. distillery will also produce "entry level" gin and London dry gin, whiskey, and rum.
In keeping with vodka's roots, the 48-seat cocktail bar will offer Eastern-influenced small plates by chef JP Doiron (Avec, Perennial) and consulting chef Jesse Katzman (West Loop Salumi, Avec). Items include whitefish spread, shitakke pâté, and corned duck, each of those served with black rye bread, plus caviar and a small selection of nuts, cheese, and charcuterie.
Besides offering classics like Moscow Mule, consulting mixologist Kyle Davidson (Blackbird, The Publican) has crafted a selection of cocktails like the piquant Rhymes with Orange (serrano chili vodka, lime, CH orange curacao, watermelon) and alleviating Oxycontin (lapsang suchong-infused gin, ginger syrup, honey, lemon). For die-hard vodka fans and curious vodka newbies, there's a Traditional Carafe Service of 7 oz ice-cold vodka with rye bread and pickles.
564 W Randolph
photo by Arnold Klein
