Old World Meets Modern Supper Club

200 East Supper Club

The word "authentic" is often overused in restaurants when referencing cuisine.

If you've ever traveled to Europe, especially Italy, then you probably have a good idea of what authentic food is all about. Chefs that specialize in Italian cuisine don't always have the luxury of having grown up in the mother country, so they have to draw on their childhood kitchen experiences for inspiration and influence. Such is the case with 200 East Supper Club's executive chef Tony Navarro.

The 200 East Supper Club is located on the main level of the historic Seneca Hotel. It's a moderately-priced, business-casual spot that features live entertainment Tuesday through Saturday. The ambiance feels somewhat old school, with a splashes of elegant touches sprinkled throughout the main dining room.

The menu features eclectic, contemporary Italian dishes complemented by recipes handed down from the Navarro family.

Appetizers include the Melrose Peppers, which are stuffed with Italian sausage and the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. But if the New England Clam Chowder is available as the Soup of the Day, head in that direction. It's one dish that should definitely become a mainstay.

One of their signature dishes, "The Brickhouse Chicken" boasts rich flavors that are better than most chicken dishes you'll ever experience, and the "Rigatoni ala Bruno" is another signature dish featuring fresh spinach, ricotta cheese and fresh homemade Italian sausage.

There's no doubt these are home-style dishes made from scratch, right down to the salad dressings and desserts.

Be sure to bring your appetite, because the food is not only tasty, the portions are plentiful.

One of the stars at 200 East Supper Club is bartender George Cozzi. He was a familar face at Gibson's Steak House for about 13 years and is one of 12 bartenders inducted into the Bartender's Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.

George makes a killer Manhattan, and has a passion for concocting a variety of specialty martinis. His Patini martini is named after Pat Brickhouse, wife of famed Chicago sports broadcaster Jack Brickhouse. The Patini is made with vodka, pnieapple juice and topped off with champagne. George has a following of his own that keeps customers returning to the supper club.

A good time to check out 200 East Supper Club is Sunday through Tuesday, when they offer a $21.95 prix fixe menu, which includes an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert.

The nightly live entertainment and upbeat music might even encourage you to dance, which is a great way to cap off a good meal -- and with those large portions, a great way to work off some calories!

Check out efete.net and the NBC Chicago Street Team blog for more of D.C. Crenshaw's articles and videos.

Contact Us