By Trent Modglin
Photos by Influx Consultants

Tavern on the Point
6724 N. Northwest Highway
TavernOnThePoint.com
773-867-6300

Opening up: The highly anticipated Tavern on the Point — and its impressive and versatile 7,500 square feet of space — officially opened in July of 2020, and has garnered plenty of praise from customers despite the challenges of pandemic restrictions and shutdowns.

The scene: Simply put, there is nothing else like it in the area. “It’s a slice of River North and the Gold Coast mixed with Edison Park — classy and stylish but friendly and welcoming,” according to owner John Capesius. And there’s no exaggeration there, as the city tavern ambiance is unmistakable from the moment you walk in the door.

Tavern on the Point has a modern industrial, Miami Beach design with black ceilings, exposed air ducts, finished concrete floors, a custom-made wall dedicated to Chicago’s first responders and 16-foot floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the outside.

A beautiful square bar is the centerpiece of the main floor, and customers can enjoy a mix of booths and tall tables, as well as a second-floor dining room and 1,500-square-foot rooftop deck. Adding to the entertainment factor are the 37 TVs for all the sports action and a top-of-the-line stereo system for live music and DJs.

Customers should feel as comfortable in a suit after work or dressed up for a night out as they are in flip flops and shorts on the deck during the day. It’s that kind of place.

Simply put, there is nothing else like it in the area. “It’s a slice of River North and the Gold Coast mixed with Edison Park — classy and stylish but friendly and welcoming.”

The menu: Chef Edwin Esquivel and sous chef Teresa Castillo trotted out a new expanded menu in early June that focuses on elevated American comfort food with a flair. And plenty of variety. Go light with one of seven scrumptiously creative salads, or start things off with a host of appetizers like tuna poke, buttermilk-marinated wings, Irish nachos or mussels steamed in a white wine tomato sauce. And don’t forget arguably the best calamari in the area, fried and topped with a sweet chili glaze and sriracha aioli.

The build-your-own burgers and lobster rolls are big hits off the sandwich list. And you can also go big with decadent dinner items like the bone-in ribeye, bourbon-glazed pork chops, broiled lamb chops in a lemon oregano sauce, rigatoni chicken pesto, jumbo seared sea scallops and sauteed Lake Superior whitefish, just to name a few. The seafood? It’s brought in fresh daily from the highly-touted Boston Fish Market.

The spacious rooftop deck overlooking the heart of Edison Park is the kind of unique, sun-soaked space that makes it easy to lose a few hours. In a good way.

Weekend brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. is now underway as well, with options sure to get your weekend off on the right foot like fruit crepes, omelets, candied pecan French toast and breakfast burritos. All of which happen to pair beautifully with a loaded bloody Mary or mimosa.

Not to be forgotten are Tavern on the Point’s seasonal cocktails, frozen specialties and flavorful wines that are perfect for a night out or afternoon of catching up with friends.

Get outside: As if a beautiful sidewalk patio with a shaded overhang isn’t enough, the big draw here in the warmer months is the spacious rooftop deck overlooking the heart of Edison Park, reachable by way of the second-floor dining room. It’s the kind of unique, sun-soaked space that makes it easy to lose a few hours. In a good way.

Don’t forget: Brunch is underway on the weekends, as are surprise chef specials sure to delight your palate. Party space is also available for groups of all sizes.