Woodwind

Initial surprise? This fine Contemporary American restaurant with innovative regional cuisine is located in the Lavin Family Pavilion within the Northwestern Medicine Campus. Woodwind also boasts cool city and lake views 18 floors above Streeterville. Michelin-starred chef Don Young (formerly of Temporis) presents sophisticated dishes starring seasonal ingredients: nibble snacks from fermented hummus to raw oysters and grilled toast torpedoed into house ricotta. Whole-roasted dry-aged duck tacos with pineapple salsa, radish, and tortillas elevates the city's love affair with tacos. Notable veg-centered items include fire-roasted carrots; zesty chicory salad; and pappardelle fashioned from butternut squash. On the indulgent end, consider a NY Strip with crab butter or pan roasted chicken. Dessert ain't bad, either: parsnip cake with honeyed cream cheese? Yes, please. Open for lunch, dinner and Happy Hour (which offers great value on bites and drinks).