Eden
American restaurant · Avondale
2734 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60618
Highlights
Fresh, seasonal fare from an on-site greenhouse, craft cocktails
Fresh, seasonal fare from an on-site greenhouse, craft cocktails
"An all-day Avondale cafe and restaurant has quietly launched a weekend pastry program led by French-born baker Josephine LeBozec and former Marine Mark Lannie, accepting Saturday preorder pickups and deliveries. The upgraded pastry lineup includes crowd-pleasers like monkey bread and inventive items such as a hibiscus‑poached forced rhubarb Danish that balances bright tartness with a flaky crust; that rhubarb was fermented for two years and finished with Norwegian spruce-tip honey. The kitchen, guided by chief culinary officer Devon Quinn, emphasizes sustainably sourced produce grown in an onsite greenhouse—used for herbs, edible flowers, and even fig leaves for ice cream—and adventurous bread service features a butter made with pickled ramps. The program relies on organic flour from Janie’s Mill to avoid glyphosates, a choice that requires nuanced adjustments for humidity and dough handling; after months of experimentation the team has achieved consistent results and pastries that avoid excessive sugar so the wheat and subtle flavors shine. LeBozec’s disciplined, minimal-ingredient approach yields pieces like a sobacha‑infused chocolate cake with black garlic—an “anti‑dessert” that balances salt, sweet, and umami—reflecting ongoing experimentation and culinary rigor." - Ashok Selvam
"When we think of reasons we’d find ourselves at Eden, it was mainly for group brunches, celebrations, or dinner and drinks before heading to the United Center. Not a lot of that was going on in 2020, so it’s not surprising that Eden closed last summer. But from February 12-14, this Mediterranean restaurant is popping up with an $80 five-course meal for Valentine’s Day. Order here and then maybe put on a Bulls game afterward for old-times sake." - adrian kane
"A farm-to-table spot located off the Chicago River in Avondale whose chef, Devon Quinn, won the Judges Award at Chicago Gourmet’s Hamburger Hop. The winning burger was a carefully layered composition developed with chef de cuisine Brian Shim: they blended Dubliner, Reserve cheddar and MontAmore into a house-style American cheese, and topped the patty with a dill pickle–corn slaw (built from Claussen pickles, grilled corn and onions bound with black garlic aioli), flatwater arugula and roasted tomatoes, served on a potato bun. The team emphasized clarity of flavor — lots of components, but each one coming through — a combination that impressed the eight-member judging panel." - Lisa Shames
"When we think of reasons we’d find ourselves at Eden, it was mainly for group brunches, celebrations, or dinner and drinks before heading to the United Center. Not a lot of that was going on in 2020, so it’s not surprising that Eden closed last summer. But from February 12-14, this Mediterranean restaurant is popping up with an $80 five-course meal for Valentine’s Day. Order here and then maybe put on a Bulls game afterward for old-times sake. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Team Infatuation
"Eden pulls inspiration from nature, European cafes, and California-coastal style. With a mix of eclectic elements, dark walls, and foliage, consider it your dream home away from home. Fresh, local, and sustainable fare is the focus, an approach that chef Devon Quinn accomplishes with an onsite greenhouse. The team picks from more than 40 herbs, greens, and edible flowers daily (with no refrigeration), while also regularly sourcing from local farmers markets. For dinner, don’t miss the pork tagliatelle, vegan wild mushroom tamale, or wood-grilled berbere spiced carrots. Brunch here is equally satisfying—staples include gluten-free quinoa pancakes, vegetarian eggs benedict, and avocado toast." - Nicole Schnitzler, Brad Japhe
