"Hide + Seek has brought quirky modern art and a new American menu with Mediterranean leanings to the former home of quarter-century-old Vivo. The team feels pressure in delivering a special experience at the two-floor restaurant at 838 W. Randolph Street, next door to Bar Siena and near heavyweights such as Girl & the Goat and Rose Mary. Partner Danny Vargas says they strive to evoke “comfortable elegance” in the form of low-lit bar spaces with plush booths and bar stools, upholstered chairs in bold monochromatic patterns, and feather chandeliers dangling from the ceiling, all selected by prolific local firm Siren Betty Design. There’s seating for 100 between the expansive dining rooms, and more spots along an Italian marble bar. The menu includes options like spinach-and-ricotta gnudi with nduja butter and campanelle with garlic cream, guanciale, and corn. Unexpectedly, escargot en croute with garlic herb butter has also been popular. The menu also includes Spanish octopus with romesco, marble potatoes, and caper berries, as well as braised short rib with a potato “cloud” and pickled watermelon. At the bar, patrons will find a menu of drinks such as the tequila-based Pyro’s Negroni and the citrusy City of Lights. The restaurant’s leadership is adamant that Hide + Seek is not a club and there’s no dancing, but nightlife components remain: the kitchen is open until midnight, and bar service runs until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Hide + Seek is now open." - Naomi Waxman
