Oct. 13--In 2014, former Four Seasons chef Kevin Hickey took his cooking to Bridgeport, a neighborhood where his family's roots run deep, and partnered with Rockit Ranch Productions to open The Duck Inn. Less than a year and some 3,000 whole roasted ducks later, The Duck Inn has been named one of Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurants in America for 2015.
Joining The Duck Inn on the magazine's list of 14 best new restaurants nationwide: Momotaro, where sushi and izakaya concepts exist harmoniously under chef Mark Hellyar in a beautiful West Loop space; and under-the-radar pick Dolo Restaurant and Bar, a Chinatown spot serving dim sum and seafood.
Hickey figures it was a mix of the food, the setting and the off-the-beaten-path location that won over Esquire's team. For the chef, Bridgeport seemed a natural choice to open a restaurant. "I grew up on that street," he said.
"We're open tonight so come in for dinner," he added. "We'll be drinking lots of Champagne."
See the full list of Esquire honorees here.
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