N’Dulge: C-House Restaurant gets an A Plus
By Donna Hodge
The passion of culture and cuisine drives Chef Marcus Samuelsson.
Chef Marcus, co-owner of Aquavit, Riingo and Merkato 55 in New York City, has now made his way to the windy city by opening up the critically acclaimed C-House Restaurant in the Affinia Hotel. Chef Marcus, known for his characteristic emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, is stepping outside of his signature, acclaimed Scandinavian style and is offering up a new model for the American Seafood House.
Born in Ethiopia, in 1970, Samuelsson was orphaned at the age of three when his parents fell victim to a tuberculosis epidemic that raged through his homeland. He and his sister found refuge at a Swedish field hospital in nearby Addis Ababa, where they were taken in by a nurse who arranged for their adoption by a young Swedish couple from Goteborg, Sweden.
Samuelsson was very young when he discovered his passion for cooking alongside his Swedish grandmother.
He began his career working at local restaurants while attending day classes at the Culinary Institute in Goteborg, Sweden. He later apprenticed in Switzerland and Austria, later landing a position at the world-renowned, three-star Michelin restaurant, Georges Blanc in Lyon, France.
“Chicago is one of the best food cities with high-end food and strong ethnic cuisines, it is strong with food on all levels,” Chef Marcus tells N’DIGO.
With a quiet opening this past June, C-House has become one of Chicago’s most popular restaurants. The look and feel of the restaurant is designed by Brazilian architect Arthur Casas. His design is a combination of the meeting of sleek, modern lines and rustic, organic materials. It features a raw bar aptly named C-Bar, where guests can sit and watch their menu choice as it is prepared.
From the seating to the décor, C-House is warm and inviting.
“I’ve always wanted to have a place somewhere with fish, not from a Swedish standpoint but an American point of view,” Chef Marcus adds.
The menu includes C-House Tastes, the C-Towers, small plates and large plates.
Chef Marcus insists on only the highest grade and freshest selections for the restaurant.
Why not start off the morning with one of their signature breakfast items- Pastrami Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict or a Friend Egg Club Sandwich on the house-made bacon brioche? Or, for something very light and cool, try the organic yogurt and house-made granola parfait with seasonal berries.
You will tempt and satisfy your taste buds with Little Necks, Jonah Crab Claw, to lightly seared Spot Prawns or chilled Half Lobster.
For the Large Plates you have quite a selection including Seafood Tagliatelle made with squid pasta and spicy coconut, Seared Tuna, Grilled Skirt Steak with summer vegetables to a Bone-in Rib Eye with wild mushrooms. The sides are equally tempting, smoked Potato Salad with mustard vinaigrette, Baby Beet Salad with kumquats and ricotta, their famous C-House Fries with homemade and absolutely delicious ketchup and a Chorizo Mac & Cheese.
Sweet Journeys & Exotic Drinks
The desserts are equally decadent serving up a Brown Butter Cornmeal Pound Cake, a Warm Black Forest Chocolate Cake or an Artisan Cheese Trio.
If your sweet tooth needs something special, try the Candy Bar.
This dessert degustation allows your palate to tip-toe through a variety of chocolates, confections and cookies to create a sweet memory to last until your next visit. You can mix and mingle Lavender Truffles, Pecan Brittle, Blueberry Biscotti, Cocoa Almonds, and Spiced Marshmallows to begin your sweet journey.
The exotic drinks complement the menu. I must insist that you try the Summer House, this drink is like a woman’s scent that captures a man’s fancy, delicate and captivating. Created by the staff, the aroma and presentation will capture you before you take the first sip. Made with St. Germain Liqueur, (from Elderflower blossoms and Ketel One vodka), it is topped with edible flowers.
If you want to amuse your senses at the end of the day, go up to C-View, their rooftop “getaway” located on the 29th floor on a hot summer day and partake in the sights while sipping and nibbling on their signature dishes and drinks.
Steal away precious moments at C-House, they will be memorable.
C-House is located at 166 East Superior Street in the Affinia Hotel.
312-523-0923. Hours: Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. Breakfast; Lunch 11;30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. and dinner 5:30 p.m.- 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday breakfast begins at 7 a.m.- 10 a.m., brunch is served from 10:30 a.m – 3:00 p.m. and dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
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