March 21--The Northman, the long-delayed North Center cider bar from the group behind Fountainhead, had a happy surprise for customers Saturday night: a sneaky soft opening of the bar.
Bartenders are back at it again Sunday night, pouring until 2 a.m., according to the bar's Twitter feed.
As Chicago's first bar dedicated to cider, The Northman offers more than 18 ciders on draft and more than 80 by the can and bottle, along with a selection of beer and spirits -- including what owners believe is Chicago's largest selection of calvados, an apple brandy produced in France.
A tap positioned above the bar will allow bartenders to perform a long pour, in which the cider travels several feet through the air in a thin stream before meeting the glass. A common practice in Spain, it's meant to aerate the cider to release more flavor.
Food comes from chef Sean Sanders, formerly the chef-owner of Browntrout.
The bar will be closed Monday, but will open for good starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.
The Northman, 4337 N. Lincoln Ave., www.thenorthman.com
mconrad@tribpub.com
Twitter @marissa_conrad
