One of the highlights of this month already has been a wonderful tasting I had at Maple & Ash this week. A modern-authentic steakhouse and restaurant, which is located in the Gold Coast neighborhood, certainly aims to please!
Patrons are immediately greeted with a martini upon seating. That’s my kind of restaurant! The martini took the edge off to allow better focus on the very extensive menu in front of us, with a good number of seafood offerings.
Rest assured, we ordered more drinks from their amazing cocktail selection, and may have had a few of the 131 Whammies which had Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, green chartreuse and lime. I must say, the perfect aperitif!
My guest and I began our indulgence with some raw starters, the Hamachi Crudo and the Yellow Fin Tuna Tartare. The presentation on both was outstanding! The tartare came with Nori (seadweed) puffs while the crudo was poured over with an amazing fresno jus. The perfect example that spicy doesn’t always mean hot. The jus was flavorful with a slight kick but paired wonderfully with the fish.
We didn’t waste any time and dived right into the Semi-Pro Seafood Tower. My first time with a roasted seafood tower that was finished nicely with a garlic butter and chili oil. All the usual seafood goodness in this tower, from Maine lobster, Skull Island prawns and Alaskan King Crab. The manila clams scattered throughout were also phenomenal and soaked in every bit of that salty butter they sat in.
The tower was filling but didn’t preclude us from ordering the Whole Roasted Dover Sole for our main, although we did split it. Dover Sole is one of the most beautiful fish in my opinion, and the plating on this dish did everything to preserve the delicacy of this fish. It came with a delicious black truffle artichoke barigoule, with subtle hints of wine.
I’ve always said that seafood pairs best with red wine and I’ve proved my point with the lovely 2014 Bourgogne Pinot Noir our server brought out with our entree. The most perfect tart and acidity to augment the fish, in my opinion!
True to steakhouse style, the sides were mention-worthy too. Both the Broccolini with melted leeks and lemon, and the Roasted Wild Mushrooms were filling and divinely tasty.
Dessert came shortly after and brought the best of both worlds, the sweet and the sour. A fruity Raspberry Rhubarb Puff with diplomat cream, fresh basil and raspberry ice-cream and the Chocolate Bombe, which was literally, the bomb! A double chocolate mousse cake browned with bananas & bullet Bourbon caramel was one impressive dessert!
To you Maple & Ash may be a steakhouse, but to me it was a complete seafood eatery because of the sheer number of fish offerings I got to pick from. No doubt we left happy, content, and very full! Maple & Ash also offers a delectable brunch menu, and a whole new summer menu on the Eight Bar patio downstairs. I’m telling you, this place has it all!
Maple & Ash
Neighborhood: Gold Coast
Address: 8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 944-8888
Website: www.chicagofirehouse.com
Hours: Mon- Thurs: 5:00pm -10pm; Fri - 5:00pm-11:00pm; Sat- 4:30-11:00pm; Sun 10:00am-2:00pm and 5:00-10:00pm.
Price: $14.00- $100.00