Hidden away and tucked between the Morse exit on the “el” and a few scattered video stores lies a gem in the restaurant Act One Café adjacent to the Mayne Stage Theater. The completely renovated exterior is a nod to Art Deco architecture and is a welcome addition to the North Side, offering not only an outlet for comedians but musicians as well.
Before viewing a performance by comedic group The Lampshades, I had the pleasure of dining at the Act One Café, the restaurant right next to the theater. Cozy and inviting, Act One Café offers a variety of menu options from Executive Chef Jimmy Madla, who prefers twisting American classics, reinventing the dishes to make them uniquely his own. Dishes such as Veggie Tater Tots made of zucchini, red peppers and olives topped with whipped goat cheese to Braised Beef Short Ribs paired with Basmati Rice offer diners to experience something out of the ordinary and a nice vacation from restaurant chains that infuse the city.
Mayne Stage and Act One Cafe
As a newly minted twenty-one year old I scanned through the expansive drink menu, with a full bar located in the restaurant that ranges from draft beers to specialty drinks such as their signature Mayne-Hattan that infuses Woodford Reserve, Cherry Herring Liqueur, Sweet Vermouth, orange bitters and a cherry served either up or on the rocks.
Deciding on a Stellina de Notte Pinot Grigio at the affordable price of six dollars, Act One Café is easy on the pocket and unlike many restaurants that have close ties with theaters, is neither pretentious nor stuffy. Being a warm and clear skied summer evening, I opted to sit outside; however, their indoor seating is as lovely as the patio.
Trying the tasting menu, the waiter informed me that there were four courses in tonight’s dinner and I would be sampling bits and pieces of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. Starting off the night, the first course was a wedge of iceberg lettuce drizzled with Act One Café’s green goddess dressing, a spicy contrast to the bold, sharp taste of the dunbarton cheddared-blue cheese that adorned the plate. Completing the dish was a sweet candied bacon and slice of red onion that refreshed my palette.
First Course
Next was the appetizer trio consisting of Jonah crab and
smoked trout salad with candied tomatoes, jerked chicken spring roll with sugarcane
sauce (a standout among the three) and a “shandy” (poached in a ginger beer, I
had to look it up, too) shrimp with housemade cocktail sauce.
Unassuming, these three appetizers were
filling and became continually better. Like I said, most impressive on this
second course was the spring roll.
Executive
Chef Jimmy Madla nicely combined the flavors of Jamaican jerked chicken and
caramelized plantains, perfectly filling the flaky crust topping off the
creation with sweet sugarcane and garlic dipping sauce.
Second Course
After an impressive second round, the waiter brought the third main course of Market Fettuccini, a popular entrée at the restaurant. Embedded within the pasta were roasted artichokes, charred tomato, garlic and mushrooms, tossed with parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil. The best thing about the main dish is that not only is it delicious, but hearty as well. The fettuccini seemed to be almost multi-grained, easing my conscience on all the carbohydrates I consumed during the week. Half way through the third course, I was so full I had to stop in order to save some room for dessert (not too hard, though). At fourteen dollars, the course was worth every penny.
Third Course
Ending off the evening was the dessert course, something to satisfy my insatiable need for sugar. To keep my sweet tooth at bay, at least until the next day was a Mini Malted Chocolate Pot Au Crème that came with a side of whipped cream and a piece of sugar cone. The top of the chocolate pot au crème resembled a crème Brule, but tasted like a whipped chocolate pudding. By far, this last course was an amazing way to end the entire dining experience.
Fourth Course
Since being in
Chicago
for around a month, I have to whole-heartedly say that this has been my
favorite meal and look forward to being a regular. With inexpensive prices,
delicious food and a relaxing, but warm ambiance,
Act One Café should not only be visited, but should become a go-to
for diners who enjoy the experience of eating.
Act One Cafe
1330 W. Morse Avenue
773.381.4550
http://www.actonecafe.com
Photos: Ellen Hager
