Chicago’s Most Worth-It Riverside Dinner｜River Roast

I spent the whole day walking along both banks of the Chicago River. Earlier, I had already paused in front of this building — an early 20th-century industrial-commercial structure from the Chicago School era: symmetrical design, red brick facade, rhythmic arched windows, clean structural lines, no unnecessary ornamentation, yet confident in proportion and order. Originally built for publishing, warehousing, and offices, many such buildings were constructed along the river, emphasizing function and durability. And precisely because of that, they’ve been preserved so well — now projecting an unintentional sense of strength. Seeing it again at night, the building stood even more enchantingly against the water and city lights. The texture of the brick glowed under urban neon; the rhythm of the arches became clearer in the dark. That “built-to-last-for-the-city” aura felt magnified. The restaurant occupies the ground floor of this very building.😘😍 Dining in such a beautifully preserved red-brick space feels like a natural ritual — taste aside, just being able to sit down and sync with the architecture matters most. Otherwise, you’d feel like you missed something… maybe even regret it later. Fortunately, the restaurant itself is gorgeous — high ceilings, spacious layout, with large circular Japanese-style lamps softening the industrial feel between concrete and brick. Just sitting here with a glass of wine feels worthwhile.👌💕 Service was quick and friendly — no wait, no pushy upselling, just a full glass of ice water brought promptly. Warm, natural, even chatting with regulars. The staff spoke English with an accent, maybe from South America. Tips were definitely earned here 😄 Surprisingly great value! Ordered Mediterranean sea bass — very fresh, but the experience was a full flavor reversal.🙌😘 When the fish arrived, head to tail, scales still on, with a briny scent — I hesitated, confused, even regretted ordering it. Felt a bit silly, honestly. But then I cut into it — The flesh was tender, skin perfectly crispy, seasoning subtle yet clever. Turns out, leaving the scales on can work — pan-seared in butter, they turned delicious. In that moment, I realized: Western and Chinese culinary approaches aren’t opposites — they can actually complement each other. I wanted a light meal anyway, avoiding beef (for reasons I’ll explain another time). Aside from the seasoning leaning slightly salty, there was little to fault. P.S. From April to October, they offer outdoor riverside seating.😍👍 If you’re in Chicago walking along this stretch of the river, consider adding this ground-floor spot in the Britannica Building to your list. Some places aren’t just about the food — they’re about aligning with a moment in the city. And that, perhaps, is what travel is all about. #ChicagoEats #RiverRoast #ChicagoArchitecture #RiversideDining #HistoricBuildings