Night Out
Wood
Chicago-Lake View
May 11, 2018
Wood is the pick of the cocktail joints on the Halsted strip in Boystown, head and shoulders above the competition. With a former Alinea chef at the helm you know things are going to good and the cocktail programme doesn’t disappoint, stuffed full of seasonal and artisanal creations including The Lamplighter, a mix of scotch whiskey, alpine walnut liqueur, creme de menthe and allspice with a dram mist. The Blackwatch Fizz pairs Earl Grey infused Irish whiskey with rosehip liqueur, ginger beer and lemon, while A Stiff One is true to its name, mixing gin with orange bitters and house syrup. We are particularly intrigued by the Who’s the Boss?, a blend of rye, chrysanthemum honey liqueur, vermouth, fig bitters, and angostura. The bar also does a nice line in classic drinks, including a version of the Sazerac with absinthe mist. The food menu includes an excellent range of charcuterie and cheese as well as a tempting array of small plates (sweet potato ravioli, foie gras custard). In keeping with its name, wood is a central theme to the décor and the space is warm and earth-toned. There’s a patio area for summer sipping and the 25-seat bar also stocks a good range of craft beers and small-batch liquors along with a number of barrel-aged brown liquor.
