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The four circular compartments on the back wall of the restaurant remain in place. The beautiful curved bar is basically unaffected. The brewing equipment is largely the same.
Forbidden Root Cultivate of Cultivate by Forbidden Root opened on Saturday, which seems familiar to those who stepped into the Bohemian band during the six-year operation of this Michelin-starred restaurant and brewery.
But after owner Robert Finkel acquired the airy Ravenswood location and everything inside at an auction earlier this year, Forbidden Root's second location in Chicago aims to create a unique niche market.
After five months of renovation, the space will be used in roughly the same way and seems familiar to the guests of the Bohemian band in the past. But most of the quirks that define Bohemian bands have been stripped away, replaced by Forbidden Root's high-end urban country style, such as the French metal olive baskets are completely converted into ceiling lampshades. The flowing curtains decorated with elephants have been removed to bring in natural light, and the back bar has been reorganized and modernized.
Finkel said that our goal is to "make this place more approachable in various ways," both aesthetically and in terms of food.
Forbidden Root added a metal partition in the restaurant to separate the bar area from the dining area, "dividing the energy of the space". But the elevated platform on which the stall was located was no one cares about it. The old coffee and tea service area has been turned into a public eight-story building, and the chef’s counter has been expanded to include additional seating.
"It's like editing-the overall approach is to create a cohesive space that fits our aesthetics," Finkel said.
Although the brewing equipment remains intact, the draft system has been updated to 16 production lines, which will include 14 Forbidden Root beers (manufactured at the original location of the Chicago Avenue Brewery and its branch in Columbus, Ohio), and two guest beers (When the door opens, it comes from nearby Dovetail Brewery and Begyle Brewing).
The main brewing adjustment is that Cultivate has added a foeder-a large wooden barrel-to make a series of beers made with wild yeast; in winter, this will include a low-alcohol "table beer made with Brettanomyces" ". Brewer Nick Williams said that in the summer, these beers may be made with fresh fruit.
The menu price is also cheaper than the exquisite Bohemian band experience, replaced by small plates for about US$9 to US$14, including twice-fried cauliflower, Vadapav sliders (fried potato dumplings popular in parts of India) ) And smoked trout dip. The main course is $24, and most flavors will be familiar: ribs, scallops, duck and dumplings, grilled sea bass, and of course burgers (with aged cheddar cheese and Giardini mayonnaise on top, like Same in the original position).
The large round fireplace installed by the Bohemian band still exists; the chef Carlos Cruz was a member of the 16 on Center restaurant, bar and music venue group that owns Dusek's and Longman & Eagle, calling it the “highlight of the kitchen” and able to Produce all kinds of meat and vegetable dishes.
"It will give so much flavor to what we have," he said. "We will try anything."
The renovation of Cultivate by Forbidden Root (4710 N. Ravenswood Ave.) also includes an adjacent bar and private event space, which is expected to open in December, as well as 16 water lines, half of which will be guest taps. Snacks will be served there, but no meals.
Finkel is a retired venture capitalist. He launched Forbidden Root's original Westtown location in 2016. He said that he has been thinking about expanding in Chicago for a long time, and the former residence of the Bohemian band provides an ideal chance. Finkel purchased the contents of the building—including the 10-barrel brewery of the Bohemian Band—in a bank auction in March, and quickly negotiated a lease with the landlord.
Finkel said he had previously tested water at the former Baderbrau production brewery, which is now home to Moody Tongue Brewing, but shelved growth plans during the pandemic.
He said that the space of the Bohemian band is very attractive because "a lot of boxes: location, physical space, demographics of the area, and our ability as artists, feel that we can bring something different to the party."
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