CheekyChicago

I admit it: I am a sucker for trends. Ugg boots, colored leggings, hybrid SUV’s and upscale sports lounges in River North. But I don’t follow just to follow. There’s always a reason for my fondness. Ugg boots are comfy, leggings are sassy, hybrids are good for the environment and the latter usually includes amazing, amazing food. And Bull & Bear, Hubbard Street’s latest hot-spot, is spot on the (trendy) money.

Most bar-hopping folks would be most impressed with Bull & Bear’s “table taps”, where you can pour yourself your own pint right in the comfort of your leather-bound round-booth. But for this foodie, it was Chef David Blonsky’s vast, quirky and surprising menu that impressed me the most. Blonsky’s a young guy with a ton of energy and personality (I had the pleasure of enjoying my lunch in his company) and he expresses that sass in every creation. I sampled from the “Short Order Options”, with three different versions of sliders: an American Kobe Beef Slider, the Little Philly with seared shaved rib eye, and the Lobster Roll with chunky claw and tail meat. Unique and actually quite divine, I can’t think of another place in town twisting up mini-sandwiches like Blonsky does. But being the girly girl that I am, I had to order a salad. (A resounding and nasally “Whaah whaaaah.”) But, me-oh-my, the Five Spice Seared Tuna Salad is way, way above your average plate of lettuce. Perfectly rare tuna with wasabi peas, cherry tomatoes and green beans came together beautifully with a honey-miso vinaigrette. I would come back here just for this salad…and maybe for the cute guys and astounding cocktail list called “Liquid Assets”, boasting a strawberry-basil martini and housemade white sangria. But, I digress.

Perhaps you’ve gotten to thinking that Bull & Bear is far from a typical bar, serving typical bar fare? But what authentic sports lounge would be complete without wings? Organic and plump, crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, Blonsky raises the bar again with his perfectly blended sauce of tang and spice. You can pick your level of heat, or switch it up and douse ‘em in barbeque or Asian sauce. Yes, you heard me right: this girly girl just raved about chicken wings. I rarely order these, but they were undoubtedly amazing.

For as much as I sometimes try, I can’t ignore dessert. And with the Cinnamon Doughnut Holes with dolce de leche, chocolate and raspberry sauces staring me in the face, I couldn’t resist. Delicate and gooey all at once, this dish alone proved that while trends are trends for a reason, Bull & Bear is most definitely here to stay.