Cafe 103
Chicago, IL 60643
Phone: (773) 238-5115
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Walden Parkway
- Directions:
- Metra: Rock Island District Line to 103rd St/Beverly
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Editorial Review for Cafe 103 – by Fred Schlatter
The Scene
Located on a commercial drag of otherwise sleepy 103rd, the space is as small as it appears from the street. A single room seats 30, the biggest table for five. Zebra wood veneer plays nicely with weathered wood floors, autumn-colored wall panels and textured, subtly printed wallpaper. A few strategically placed mirrors are unnecessary; the close quarters are quaint rather than cramped.
The Food
Chef Thomas Eckert's menu departs from typical upscale neighborhood cafes. He is brave, offering a composed salad of jewel-like heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers and a lone half-shell oyster. He knows pure yumminess in another starter: Rabbit rillettes with fig jam, grilled harvest baguette and rock salt. Entrees feature pristine meats in stylish compositions: A frenched veal chop is hearty alongside fall-spiced spaetzle, chanterelles and buttermilk onion rings, while slices of guinea hen roulade couldn't be more refined arranged with purees of watercress and kohlrabi and more buttery mushrooms.
Hits: The food outshines many, many downtown efforts. Chef Eckert is a genuine guy who will likely visit your table to see how things were. Convenient, as you will no doubt want to thank him for an excellent dinner.
Misses: Chef Eckert's food is delicious, but overwrought presentation can be a little distracting. Just like the location, simpler plating would be a welcome departure.
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Insider Tips
The ExtrasBrowse the adjacent, and attached, Beverly Pantry next door for loads of cooking equipment that just might help you recreate some of the goodness of 103's kitchen.
Know Before You GoDon't underestimate how far Beverly actually is. Think 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.Or make an adventure of it and take the Metra. 103rd sits several blocks South of the last Red Line stop.
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