Rogers Park’s Onward is transporting us to the Sunshine State for some much-needed warmth.
The restaurant Onward will host a Florida Keys Culinary Takeover and Fundraiser Feb 25 – March 8 just in time to get us through the last bit of winter. Florida Keys is a favorite destination for Onward staff and with the depressing weather we’ve had lately, a little beach time is just what the doctor ordered. Onward will completely swap the items on its New American menu for Florida-Keys inspired dishes. The proceeds will be donated to the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key and Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
For a limited time, Chicagoans will be able to experience all the sunny joy of Florida without the need for a pricey airline ticket. Not only will the seafood-focus menu take guests straight to the beaches, but the restaurant’s decor will also change. Key West’s bright pastels, pink flamingos, beach centerpieces, and a soundtrack of Tropical Rock and Jimmy Buffet will create a mini Florida right here in Chicago!
The menu created by Executive Chef Patrick Russ will feature an elevated take on Key West cuisine with Floridian, Cuban and Haitian influences. Some notable menu options include house-made Cheddar Bay Biscuits, a Lobster Lasagnette with Old Bay, manila clam, Tabasco foam, tarragon and panko, and Whole Yellowtail Snapper with coconut rice, mango escabeche and crispy shallots. Top it off with a dessert of classic Key Lime Pie with mango sorbet, fresh orange supremes and lime zest confetti or a Pina Coolada with coconut flan Napolitano, campfire pineapple, Amarena cherry-linden honey rum sauce, coconut gelato, phyllo crisp and coconut meringue served with Gelato or Sorbet.
A trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without a tiki cocktail list! Enjoy Coastal Ghost with rum, falernum, orgeat, lemon and passion fruit, Captain Sloppy with vodka, Génépy, lime, pineapple and raspberry, or a special Sex on the Beach with vodka, rum, peach, Jumex juice, cranberry, pineapple, saline water, and house bitters. Don’t forget the little umbrella!
If you’re sick of winter and need a little pick-me-up, Onward has you covered. Head to Rogers Park to enjoy some beach time and support a good cause Feb 25 – March 8. Your winter-gloom mood will thank you.
More information.
Feature photo by Madison Olszewsk