July 31--Chicago's Northeastern roots could always be found if you knew where to look for them (DeKoven Street, famous now for being where the Great Fire started in 1871, is named for John DeKoven, the Connecticut-born financier; Hubbard Street is named for Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard, a native Vermonter who worked as a fur trader, among other occupations). This summer, though, you don't have to look hard: There's a visible New England and Long Island flavor hitting the city's dining options -- and this Connecticut transplant's heart is aglow.
The Hampton Social, a tribute restaurant to that glitzy summer colony near the eastern tip of Long Island, opened July 28 in River North, with "off-white Adirondack chairs, white wooden tables, booths, rocking chairs and hammocks," as noted by my colleague Judy Hevrdejs. The fare includes "lots of lobster," Hevrdejs wrote, along with halibut, scallops and a raw bar. 353 W. Hubbard St., 312-464-0500.
Just launched at the established GT Fish Oyster: a weekly lobster boil served family-style on Wednesdays. The boil ($125/two) includes a full 2-pound lobster, clams and sausage, hush puppies, Parker house rolls, corn, potatoes and Boston cream pie. 531 N Wells St., 312-929-3501.
At Acadia, the South Loop restaurant named for the old French colony that included much of what is now the state of Maine, chef Ryan McCaskey makes "much use" of New England ingredients, says Chicago Tribune restaurant critic Phil Vettel. The menu boasts a Maine lobster roll on a buttered bun, also available Connecticut-style. 1639 S. Wabash Ave., 312-360-9500.
Lastly, Cindy's atop the new Chicago Athletic Association Hotel fancies itself reminiscent of a Michigan beach cottage, but the relaxed-yet-crisp look would fit right in on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. A review by the Tribune's Kevin Pang described a dish of hamachi crudo with corn relish and avocado puree as "summer by the sandy shore encapsulated." The "sandy shore" is up to you; I'll take Hammonasset Beach in Madison, Conn. 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-792-3502.
wdaley@tribpub.com
Twitter @billdaley
