“Never Trust The Living,” but enjoy hearty eats at River West’s The Dandy Crown
”Come for the food, stay for the scare!” seems to be the overriding theme of The Dandy Crown Restaurant this Halloween season. Opened in December 2019, married partners Julia Shell and Jamie Hale serve family and dog-friendly fresh, hearty fare, complete with an all-season, dog-friendly patio that’s enclosed and heated in the winter.
As their website notes, the interiors of the two-story restaurant was designed and curated by Julia, the vibe is laid-back-luxe and filled with images of nontraditional dandy kings, queens, and other crown-wearers, a nod to Jamie’s British citizenship. first floor features the main bar plus a fireplace lounge surrounded by mid-century modern, comfortable chairs and couches. In contrast, the second floor offers overflow and private party space with another full bar and rooftop patio deck.
Now through November 2, The Dandy Crown is hosting its annual “Never Trust the Living” Halloween pop-up, which promises “a charming and otherworldly Halloween-themed experience,” to celebrate America’s favorite holiday with scary creatures, specialty cocktails, and special dog menus.
Please note that they are cashless, accepting all major credit and debit cards.
The menu is small, but any time of year, diners can enjoy such hearty shareables as Roasted Tomato Bruschetta, acrusty crostini topped with whipped ricotta cheese, roasted tomatoes, and basil, given a sweet and spicy with hot honey. Bleu Cheese Mushrooms are made with warm Crimini mushroom caps, stuffed with bleu cheese and topped with Peppadew peppers and parsley (say that five times fast!) Chili has ground beef, pinto beans, black kidney beans, onions, tomatoes. topped with onions, scallions, sour cream, shredded cheddar and served with tortilla chips, Chilaquiles is a breakfast all day with house fried tortilla chips tossed in a fresh and spicy roasted tomato salsa, topped with two eggs, served over easy or scrambled. Fresh Burratahas arugula with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and balsamic glaze served with crostini. Smoked Salmon Toast is a tasty smoked salmon, with whipped ricotta on Everything Baguette Toast.
For entrees, a Slider Trio holds three beef or veggie sliders topped with garlic aioli, roasted tomato, American cheese, pickles, red onion, and arugula, served with housemade potato chips. Their Chicken Sandwichis made with a grilled chicken breast, smoked BBQ sauce, cole slaw, and dijon aioli on a fresh roll, and served with housemade potato chips.Shepherd’s Pie hasa savory mix of lamb, peas, carrots, and onions, topped with mashed potatoes and served with a fresh baguette.Dandy Charcuterie boards vary by day, with assorted meats and cheeses from around the world, as well as “select accoutrements,” including nuts and crostini.
Weekend Brunch, served Saturdays and Sundays, include unique takes on a Shaved Brussels Salad, whichare shaved Brussel Sprouts with arugula and apples, tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette, and topped with toasted almonds. Avocado Spread is a creamyavocado spread with bacon, tomato, spinach, and jalapeno mayo, served with Everything Baguette Toast Points on the side. Their Dutch Baby Pancake is a baked pancake, topped with fresh fruit and dusted with powdered sugar, served with butter and real maple syrup. As noted in the menu, please allow 20 minutes to bake. Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict is a yummy combination of two poached eggs on top of smoked salmon and a toasted English muffin with hollandaise sauce.
Puppy Chow
Your furry family members can indulge themselves in a Puptini, a house-made beef bone broth shaken with dog-safe, chocolate-alternative carob powder and ice, and garnished with a slice of dehydrated turkey hot dog. Frozen Kefir is an icy treat of unflavored, cultured dairy (similar to yogurt) full of healthy probiotics. Frozen Beef Bone Broth has the restaurant’s own housemade, dog-safe beef bone broth.
“Never Trust The Living” Halloween Pop-Up
The Dandy Crown is DECKED OUT with fall and Halloween decorations. As 312 Chicago notes, these devilishly delicious drinks will be the focus of this ghoulish event, along with creepily colorful Halloween décor throughout the interior and covering the outdoor patio.
Check out menus for special themed drinks and bites, including a full complement of Never Trust The Living Craft Cocktails. For starters , trytheir Purple People Eater, a delicious mix of vanilla vodka and passion fruit liqueur, lime, and tonka bean topped with a purple ube egg foam.Bela Lugosi’s Deadis a Tiki-inspired cocktail with pineapple rum, lychee, lime, and orgeat topped with bubbly yuzu soda over crushed ice.Psycho Killeris a nutty and chocolatey but balanced old-fashioned type made with Old Forester 100, Ballotin Peanut Butter Chocolate Whiskey, green walnut, crème de cacao, amaro, and orange make it a seasonal treat.
Non-alcoholic tasty treats (also makes a great dessert) include the Autumn Tomb, made with Seedlip Grove, blood orange syrup, pumpkin puree and cinnamon. Hug From Kaila is described as a more platonic version of the minty, strawberry cocktail. Just Purple is a lemon drop sans the drop. Avec Jalapeno and Blood Orange is a spicy seltzer made with blood orange juice, calamansi juice, agave, jalapeno, smoked salt, and Mexican lime.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended by clicking here.
The Dandy Crown is located at 694 N. Milwaukee Avenue. They are open Monday-Thursday at the bar from 3pm-12am; their kitchen from 5pm-9pm. On Friday, the baris open 3pm-2am, and the kitchen 5pm-10pm. Saturdays, the bar is open from 12pm-3am; brunch and lunch from 12pm-4pm; and the evening kitchen from 5pm-10pm. On Sunday, the bar is open 12pm-12am; brunch and lunch: 12pm-4pm; and the evening kitchen: 5pm-9pm. For more information and reservations, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
