Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/215745
T he Guide EAT, DRINK, SHOP, AND UNWIND Industrial Revolution PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARNOLD KLEIN WITH THE DAWSON, THE GAGE OWNER BILLY LAWLESS GOES WEST—AND BACK TO ONE OF THE CITY'S MOST BOOMING ERAS. BY MEG MATHIS I n the 19th century, brothers Henry and William Dawson operated a fireplace mantle factory in the heart of what is now River West. Now, in a fitting tribute, restaurateur Billy Lawless of Michigan Avenue staples Henri and The Gage pays homage to those captains of industry at his old-meets-new concept The Dawson (co-owned by Branko Palikuca). The 200-seat newcomer features a first-floor open kitchen where Next and Alinea alumnus Rene De Leon plates hearty dishes behind a buzzing zinc bar. The updated comfort fare with global influences—think pozole, hake with octopus agrodolce and artichoke ( PICTURED), and chicken-fried New York strip steak with collard greens and mashed potatoes—is designed to be paired with everything from shared cocktail "vessels," to cherry phosphates by in-house soda jerk Dalton Finney. Meanwhile, the bi-level space nods to the neighborhood's heritage with salvaged bricks from Chicago buildings, military canvas, and dungaree—a welcome reminder that the city's rich past and entrepreneurial spirit live on. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955; the-dawson.com MA MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 137_MA_Guide_Opener_Winter2014.indd 137 137 11/20/13 2:15 PM