Presidio Review - Bucktown - Chicago - The Infatuation
"San Francisco is a decent city. The Golden Gate bridge is pretty cool. Wine country is nice and close. And hey, the Golden State Warriors aren’t bad. But MJ’s ‘96 Bulls were better, and why pay for a flight when you can hit Presidio in Wicker Park. The menu and decor at Presidio are inspired by the traditions of Northern California. What we’ve taken that to mean is seasonal ingredients, pictures of San Francisco on the wall, California wines, and a lot of fernet. But what you really need to know about Presidio is that it’s a hybrid cocktail lounge and restaurant all rolled up into one. Presidio is split into two rooms, a front lounge area and a back dining room. If you wanted to go for only drinks, that’s cool. Presidio is a good place to sit and talk over cocktails, but it's not stuck up to make the average drinker uncomfortable. Nobody here will judge your drink order. But a lot of thought went into the bar menu, so feel free to post up in the front room at the bar or on a comfortable couch, and settle in for some drinks. If food is what you're really after, get a table in the back dining room. The full menu has a little bit of everything, including fresh and interesting flavor combinations like lamb with smoked carrots and curry yogurt, and simple staples like a giant burger complete with an equally as giant onion ring. It's perfect for date night, including a First/Early In The Game Date, because you can seamlessly transition from back dining room dinner to front bar drinks. And for the same reasons, Presidio makes for a good Girls Night Out. So take an Uber to Presidio in Wicker Park, and consider yourself a San Francisco pro. Food Rundown Burrata Good burrata with toasted pumpkin seeds, honey comb, and a grilled baguette. Make sure to get plenty of the honey comb involved. Duck Fat Potatoes Roasted potatoes with chimichurri sauce. They're potatoes. A solid filler if you're in need, but not much more than that. Royale With Cheese A serious burger with american cheese, house pickles, and onion rings on a brioche bun. If you're in the burger mood then definitely get it. Scallops Scallops with leeks, grapes, capers, olives, and apple cider. Decent scallops, not all that exciting of an end result. Lamb Loin An interesting take on lamb, and our favorite entrée on the menu. It's not big and caveman-like, but rather a few smaller pieces of lamb loin are served with smoked carrots, tamarind, and curry yogurt. Mix it all together for a great bite. Brunch Presidio has a very strong Sunday brunch. From lobster benedict, to shrimp and grits, to a sweet brioche french toast. It's all good and makes for a great Sunday meal, especially if you're looking for a midday cocktail." - Sam Faye
