Ruxbin

Flatbread with goat cheese, Hazelnuts, and Fennel Seeds

Grilled Octopus with Fermented Black Soy Bean

Brownies, Smoked Cherries, Juniper Ice Cream, Almonds, Marshmallow Fluff, Cotton Candy, Creme Fraiche Caramel

Ruxbin is a Chicago restaurant that has been on my list for quite some time. Due to their small space and exquisite eats, getting in is hard, and the fact that they don't take reservations (except on sundays) doesn't help the case. Well worth the wait, Ruxbin is an eatery with global influences from places like Asia and Italy that utilizes unique ingredients in beautifully presented plates. The restaurants quarters are tight but exudes a humbly swanky ambiance that gives one the feeling as though they are not in the United States. The beautifully fresh fare was artistically presented and the wait staff was extremely helpful and welcoming, especially given the fact that we showed up 10 minutes before the kitchen closed. The highlight of my dinner was receiving a dessert that presented itself as if it were a scene out of Alice in Wonderland. It was like a mini edible forest where I had to dig deep to find treasures like smoked cherries that paired perfectly with the toasted marshmallow fluff. If your taking an out-of-towner out on the town to boast Chicago's thriving food scene, Ruxbin is a restaurant sure to impress even the most elite eaters. Ruxbin is at 851 N. Ashland Avenue and is closed on Mondays.