Food Pairings: The Bedford Meets Rag & Bone

THE PLACE

Once a bank and now one of Chicago’s hottest restaurants, The Bedford is the place to be in Wicker Park. With a gastro-pub feel, this neighborhood dining destination is far from ordinary.  Have you had a cocktail inside a vault while staring at safety deposit boxes? Probably not…unless you’ve been to The Bedford of course.

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THE FOOD

With casual bar snacks like deviled eggs and chicken wings, seafood staples like mussels and oysters, and even dining delicacies like duck confit and rabbit, there is something for everyone at The Bedford.

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My meal went like so…

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Fried green tomatoes with baby arugula & creamy giardinera

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Mussels steamed with chilies, garlic, spring onions, Schlitz & a touch of cream

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Grilled cheese on toasty dark rye with onion jam, roth kase gruyere and aged cheddar

THE COMPANY

It’s not just just about the food…having great company makes the dining experience that much better. Plus, the dishes are meant for sharing, so why not bring a friend or two? 🙂

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My best friends Jennifer & Emily

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Jennifer & I

THE PAIRING

A trendy hotspot (that I predict will last longer than most trends) with delicious food incorporating familiar aspects with a slightly sophisticated twist…what does that remind me of? Rag & Bone of course. Designers Marcus wainwright David Neville are the epitome of casual cool. Their collections always include classic silhouettes and versatile garments with their own downtown chic elements added to each. They make wardrobe staples that are actually exciting.

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PhotobucketRag & Bone Resort 2012: Style.com

Laid back, cool and familiar but still unique enough to buy into…nothing goes better with The Bedford than some Rag & Bone.

Food Pairings: Maude’s Liquor Bar & Marc Jacobs

As per request of many readers, I have officially decided to incorporate food posts as part of my blog. To put the fashion in ChiCityFashion I created a new category called Food Pairings where I pair each restaurant and meal with a designer. So instead of a complimentary Cabernet or a perfect Pinot Grigio, I choose Prada, Proenza or in this case, Marc Jacobs. So with that said…

After making a reservation over a month ago, I finally had the chance to eat at Maude’s Liquor Bar this week. The ambiance is dark, romantic and sophisticated but with a welcoming laid-back feel. The food is French inspired with a focus on seafood, but with a playful American twist. The menu is perfect for foodies looking for exotic offerings like foie gras, bone marrow, and escargot. Of course there are some simpler items like pomme frites, steak, and mussels.

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So what did I eat you may be wondering? Well let me elaborate…

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Let's start off with some bone marrow, shall we?

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Mussels and fries...you can't beat this combo

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Roast Farm Chicken...one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had

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Only offering one dessert, it had to be good...Creme Brulee. Dig in!

So, where does Marc Jacobs come into play? He’s the first designer I thought of when I really took in the atmosphere, the restaurant’s aesthetic and the food overall. Marc Jacobs is a well known American designer who is also the creative director for one of the most famous French design houses, Louis Vuitton. His designs are sophisticated and tasteful but always have a subtle playfulness…just like Maude’s.

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Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

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Louis Vuitton Spring 2011

So wear your favorite Marc Jacobs dress and bring your Louis Vuitton Speedy for a delicious night out at Maude’s.

Runway photos: Style.com