L20: Chicago's Answer for Seafood from Around the World
Located in an historic building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, L20 is a modern seafood restaurant. Launched in 2008 by star chef Laurent Gras and Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, the restaurant is a worthy nominee for a Luxist Award for Best Seafood restaurant.
Gras, who hails from France, previously worked with such celebrity chefs as Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy before coming to the U.S. in 1997 to take the helm of Peacock Alley at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. At L20, Gras draws from a repertoire of modern and traditional cooking with artful compositions. His ingredients come from all over the world, such as Spanish octopus from the Galicia region of Spain, hirame from the Kinki prefecture of Japan and codfish from Maine. Tai snapper is shipped twice a week all the way from New Zealand. L20 is one of the only restaurants in the U.S. that features Kindai blue fin tuna, which is sustainable and produced by Kinki University Fisheries Culture and Nursery Center in Japan.
The restaurant offers both a la carte, a four course prix fixe menu and tasting menus are also available. Specialties of the house include sashimi-sliced Shimaaji cured with red miso and soy salt, Lobster with Tahitian Vanilla, Chanterelle and Watermelon Radishes. Desserts are both exotic and lighthearted including an Orange, Lemon, Honey and Crystal Ice Lettuce and Doughnuts with Pistachio and Cherry. The wine list, which is extensive, features a large variety of boutique producers from around the world in addition to Grand Cru Burgundies and Champagnes.
Designed by Chicago-based Dirk Denison Architects, L20 is a modern yet warm restaurant that features Macassar ebony tables, white leather chairs and blond Sen wood paneled walls.
Dinner is served nightly except for Tuesdays. Reservations can be made by calling (773) 868-0002 or online at OpenTable.com.
Vote for the seafood restaurant that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through September 30 and winners will be announced on October 1.
