What makes Crying Tiger so special?

Well, first let’s start with the amazing décor! The design team behind the dazzling Tre Dita created a space that immediately pulls you into the world the cuisine celebrates. With lush greenery and vibrant, exotic accents everywhere you look, the atmosphere feels transported from River North straight into Southeast Asia. Hell, even the bathrooms are instant attractions for Instagrammers. 

A group of friends and I were celebrating a birthday and from the moment we walked in, the excitement was palpable. Several of us had never been before and anticipation was high. We started the night next door at Gus’ Sip & Dip, a lively tavern-style bar attached to the restaurant that is a recent winner of the Jean Banchet Award for Bar of the Year. (I can’t attest to this though since they didn’t serve Pinot Grigio and I’ve been known to leave finer restaurants than this because of it, but I digress.)

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Inside Gus’, the rustic comfort of the space was a welcome break from the cold Chicago night. The energy in the bar was loud, cheerful and filled with people clearly enjoying themselves. We lingered long enough to build up an appetite and then followed a server through a narrow hallway into Crying Tiger for dinner.

The transition was electric. We left the casually cool tavern atmosphere and stepped into a lush, intimate environment rich with color, texture and intoxicating aromas of the flavors of Southeast Asia teasing our senses.

Our table was in a raised corner, round and seated 10 with ease. When the food started arriving, via a ginormous lazy susan, it was an exciting parade of standout dishes that made every bite feel like part of an adventure. We enjoyed prawn toast with a vibrant herb dipping sauce and tender coconut-marinated chicken satay with rich peanut sauce. There were several shareable entrées like chargrilled beef wrapped in betel leaves, roasted black cod that flaked perfectly and the clay pot lobster pad Thai that was both comforting and delicious.

The highlight was the signature dessert shaped like a tiger head (green) covered in a white chocolate shell that gave way to a sweet banana center floating in a rich bananas Foster style sauce. It provided the perfect sweet note to end the meal.

Even the bathrooms were worth discovering- decorated to the teeth just like the dining room. Intricate marble, elegant fixtures and a huge tiger painting along the entire wall.

Bottom line, this experience was a huge success. Chef Thai Dang’s personality and culinary talent shine through every dish and every detail of the space. We left already planning our next visit.

(Gus’ Sip & Dip, 51 W. Hubbard, 312- 736- 0163; Crying Tiger, 51 W. Hubbard, approximately $100 per person, (312) 736-0183, cryingtiger.com, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant)