Chicago’s Newest Hearth-Side Restaurant — Ox Bar & Hearth 🔥

Quick disclaimer: It’s American, not Japanese robatayaki! This Lincoln Park spot might look low-key, but the chef previously worked at Trio — alongside chefs from Alinea and Ever back in the day — so the cooking quality and flavor are definitely on point. 🔥 Smoked Fish Mousse – Served with lettuce, radish, and seeded rye crisps. I loved Daisies’ smoked fish dip, but this is even better — especially with the fresh veggies, making it light and refreshing. 🔥 King Trumpet & Oyster Mushrooms – Thought it’d be a salad, but it tasted more like a stir-fry, glazed with brown sugar and maple vinaigrette — chewy, sweet, and tangy. 🔥 Braised Lamb – Not one big chunk, but shredded and mixed with rice and pickled blueberries — way more flavorful this way. 🔥 Burger (looks ugly in my photo but tastes great!) – Doesn’t beat The Loyalist for me, but holds its own against Little Bad Wolf — solid bar food. Comes with beef tallow–fried potato wedges (soft and fluffy inside). 🔥 Dessert: Brown Sugar Custard Cake – Three different textures in one: crunchy nutty top, smooth custard middle, and a gooey molten center. This is a seriously solid restaurant — not fine dining, but every dish shines. Even ran into a server who used to work at Smyth — gave my feedback and hope they keep up the great work! 📍 Ox Bar & Hearth 1578 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 #SummerFoodieCat 🐱 #ChicagoLife #ExploreChicago #ChicagoEats #HiddenGem