Photo: rob culpepper
Just as Royce, named for the Rolls variety, closes in Highland Park, the Bentley (2834 N. Southport Ave., no phone yet) has announced a plan to open in late June.
The Bentley’s local-seasonal menu is designed by Ian Flowers (Lokal), and features dishes such as roasted duck breast with aubergine caponata, cheddar polenta, and a grape-syrup reduction; a seared scallop with pork-pea fricassee; and a burger garnished with not one, but two other meats—pork belly and ham—as well as mushrooms, pickles, and an egg. Flowers touts his pain perdu, from the weekend brunch menu, made from brioche with custard.
Drink offerings will revolve around Chicago craft beers and classic cocktails such as Manhattans, martinis, and sidecars.
Unlike Royce, though, the Bentley isn’t actually named after the car. It’s the name of the German shepherd–boxer mix belonging to the owner, Brian Dohmen. Sorry, but we can't details like that put the brakes on a good pun.