Winter is arriving in Chicago, but you can escape the winter blues and head over to Summer House Santa Monica in Lincoln Park and pretend you're vacationing in sunny California. With whitewashed woods, wicker chairs and a giant skylight you'll forget all about the snow and freezing temperature outside. Aside from the atmosphere the food is also incredible (as part of the Lettuce Entertain You group) with a menu that focuses on locally-sourced produce and ingredients.
We enjoyed the guacamole with housemade chips to start our meal and so did the majority of tables around us. The guacamole was prepared with fresh ingredients (which always makes a huge difference) and the jalapeno salt added the perfect kick. Since I'm a huge quinoa lover I ordered the shaved vegetable salad with petite romaine, iceberg, shaved vegetables, red quinoa, ricotta salata, sunflower seeds and italian vinaigrette.
They put the table of desserts near the door for a reason because honestly you can't walk out without trying at least one thing. I'm obsessed with their apple oatmeal cookie for Fall, but the chocolate chip cookie with sea salt is amazing. The combination of sweet and salty flavors is a true favorite of mine. Other options include brown butter rice krispy treats, chocolate chip cookies with bacon, and apple cinnamon crumble bars.
Will I be back again?
xoxo
PS
Adding this to my list of restaurants to check out!
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