I immediately noticed a change upon a return visit to Southport & Irving ( 4000 N. Southport Ave.; southportandirving.com/ )—a new entrance.
That doorway at Southport & Irving ( which goes by the acronym SIP, named for the cross-streets of Southport Avenue and Irving Park Road ) is literally the gateway to a flurry of changes that has taken place at the spot over the past year, as it's the portal to a relatively new bar/dining area.
Another change involves SIP's "Live Jazz Series," which runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8-11 p.m, and is performed in the new bar space ( which is removed from the larger, original dining area ). The PR person who arranged this media event asked me to push my initial dining time back to hear the entertainment—and, boy, am I glad I did. The great Elaine Dame ( who I remember entrancing the patrons at Macku restaurant a while back ) took requests and took the lead singing jazz classics—her voice enveloping me like a warm hug. ( There are also Speakeasy Fridays and the Ernest Hemingway-inspired A Moveable Feast Saturdays in addition to Dame Thursdays. )
Then, of course, there are the food and libations—which are even better than I remember. ( FYI: The winter menu only lasts until May 1, so I'll have to go there later to provide the highlights of the spring menu. ) The cocktails have names such as Easy Virtue, Hanky Panky and Suffering Bastard. I opted for The Root of the Problem, a lovely drink that incorporates CH Amaro, Hayman's sloe gin and housemade root beer. My friend loved the Beets Me ( CH Peppercorn Vodka, Genepy Des Alpes liqueur, beet, blood orange, maple and lemon ).
The food was just as good. The fire-roasted poblano and stewed black-bean empanadas had just enough heat so that it wasn't overpowering—and the bacon-wrapped, andouille-stuffed dates were just bits of heaven. The entrees we selected were the intriguingly named "study of winter vegetables" and a roasted half-chicken from Gunthorp Farms. The study was a melange of heirloom squash gnocchi, fried brussels sprout leaves, roasted pear and parsnip cream that had one flavor expertly play off another, while the chicken ( accompanied by blood-orange fennel salad, rutabaga, chickpeas and black olive oil ) was incredibly juicy and tasty.
Also, don't skimp on dessert. Offerings include elderflower creme brulee, blue-cheese beignets, and roasted pear and Gianduja chocolate pudding.
I fear that SIP is being overlooked—and it definitely shouldn't be. It was good before, but this place has managed to become even better with its changes.
By the way, Dame is hosting "Music for Matthew"—a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation—on Sunday, May 3, at SIP at 6-10 p.m. The restaurant has offered to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to the foundation, and there is a $5 suggested donation.
