Dark, Inviting, Friendly: The Trenchermen is Now Open
By chicago-pipeline at July 3, 2012 | 4:34 pm | Print
“A manageable amount” of selections is how Jerry, general manager, referred to the soft opening week’s menu at The Trencherman, which opened last night at 2039 W. North (in the former Spring space) in Wicker Park.
Per the restaurant’s website, the definition of trenchermen is “people who enjoy food; hearty eaters” and it is those diners that chefs and siblings Mike and Patrick Sheerin are courting, in a dark yet inviting space, which seats 150 guests (110 at the tables/booths; 40 at the bar).
A two page menu consists of food on one side, drinks on the other.
On a heatstroke inducing July day, our ‘staycation’ cut short by lack of proper AC, we think that the black olive and sesame crusted sea trout, fresh garbanzo bean hummus, roasted beets and sumac looks pretty good/light, but what do we know, we’re not foodies, just wanderers, speaking of which, everyone at The Trenchermen was very friendly when The Pipeline took a break from our cooling center/office/Lubinski Furniture earlier this afternoon to pop by and snap a few pics.
For detailed coverage, check out this Eater.com post.
Bartender Wade, who also tends bar at The Barrelhouse Flat, was busy stocking the bar but took a few minutes to find his sturdy looking apron and smile for our camera.
There’s lots of creative concoctions on the drinks front.
“Baby Momma” hints at a back story and is comprised of damiana, yuku, tonic, and burnt lemon, while “Heart of Darkness II” and “The Green Hornet” sound very literary and traveler-like.
The coolest thing about The Trencherman– at least without having tasted its food– is its looks.
Cast-iron pipes ha
ng from the ceiling, offering light.
Leather bar stools with pronounced stitching line the bar, above which are mirrors that look purposely rusted, reflecting a shelf of antique glass jugs.
Builder/Designer/co-owner Kevin Heisner was busy wrapping up finishing touches, like rodding (is that a word?) and hanging lace curtains in the lobby, which also features terrariums by Bottle and Branch inside of locally blown glass, from Chicago Hot Glass.
Hungry? You’re outta luck. At least for tonight (July 3rd), the joint is booked. Per Receptionist Kelly Baron, pictured, there’s still seats available for this Thursday and Friday, July 5th and 6th.
Hours are M-Thurs. 5:30 -11:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5:30 p.n. – 1 a.m. For now, the Trenchermen will be closed on Sundays, per Jerry, but that might change in the future.
Follow the owners at @Trencherman (Mike.Pat.Kevin.Matt) on Twitter.
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