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/715605
"WE'RE TRYING TO TAKE GREAT INGREDIENTS AND PUT THEM WITH SOMETHING UNEXPECTED." —DAVID FLOM PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY TAHLIER (FLANIGAN); STEPHEN HAMILTON (SALMON); JACKIE TREZZO (INTERIOR; COCKTAIL) CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP: At Ocean Cut, chef Dirk Flanigan puts his touch on everything from dishes like Faroe Island salmon to drinks like the Shark Bite. WITH A NEW NAME, A NOTABLE NEW CHEF, AND A CASUAL NEW ATTITUDE, CHICAGO CUT'S SEAFOOD SISTER REINVENTS ITSELF AS OCEAN CUT. BY J.P. ANDERSON MAKING THE CUT During his years as executive chef at South Michigan Avenue staple The Gage, Dirk Flanigan became known as a game meat maestro—but in truth, he has the soul of a fisherman. Growing up in Naples, Florida, "we used to [catch fish] and grill it on the beach and eat it with whatever citrus tree was there. Talk about a great shore dinner." Flanigan now brings his seafood savvy to the kitchen at River North's recon- cepted Ocean Cut, where he's aiming for "an elevated experience without the elevated pricing." That means creative plates like jungle curry mussels with "about 60 ingredi- ents" ranging from ginger and cilantro to lemongrass, bird peppers, and roasted bell peppers ($15); and ge goki, a riff on Korean barbecue using crab knuckle ($23). The restaurant's reinvention extends to the cocktail list, too, says partner David Flom. "We're trying to take great ingredients and put them with something [unex- pected]." The result: intriguing flavor profiles like the Black Pearl's Prosecco, bourbon, Pineau des Charentes, and cinnamon syrup; and the Shark Bite's zippy mix of tequila, grape- fruit juice, and a fresh jalapeño slice—each designed for sipping solo or pairing with Flanigan's smart, approachable fare. "We want to create something really special," says Flom. "That's the theory behind what we're doing." 20 W. Kinzie St., 312-280-8882; oceancutchicago.com . 72 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SCENE RELAUNCH