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| Photo courtesy of Yasmina Cadiz |
In case Randolph Street isn’t hot enough, leave it to Bill Kim to add some fire. His highly anticipated Korean BBQ, BellyQ opened yesterday on the west end of restaurant row. Of course the food is going to steal the show, but more importantly, there's a secret karaoke room!
We liked Bill Kim, not only because of the belly dog at Belly Shack or the noodles at Urban Belly, but because he is one of the few chefs cool enough to hide a late-night karaoke joint behind a retractable wall painted with a horse. Full disclosure: this room is designed for private dining, but we have heard more than a few whispers suggesting the alternate use.
Now that our excitement about an evening spent sipping red lotus (sake, yuzu, sesame leaf, cane sugar, plum basil seeds) and chai tea-infused bourbon until a verse or two of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” slips out, let's talk about the food. There is a lot of it and diners have a few options. The main attraction is the Korean BBQ offerings, which are served at distressed wood booths with built-in infrared grills.
Served with jasmine rice, the cook-it-yourself options include banana-leaf wrapped salmon, lemongrass chicken and short ribs. For sides, choices range from fingerling potatoes to bok choy. Guests not seated at one of the grill-equipped booths can still order off the grill menu.
There is also a less hands-on dinner menu with tea-smoked meats served with steamed buns, tofu hot pots and pancakes cooked in their wood-burning oven. A bites menu includes Thai-style fried chicken, Asian pancakes with kimchi and bacon, as well as crispy tofu with sweet and sour plum sauce.
Kim is not done yet. Next door to BellyQ is BQ2GO, a counter-service only spot with salads, rice-paper wraps and Vietnamese coffee on tap. Karaoke not included.
1400 W Randolph St.; 312-563-1010
We liked Bill Kim, not only because of the belly dog at Belly Shack or the noodles at Urban Belly, but because he is one of the few chefs cool enough to hide a late-night karaoke joint behind a retractable wall painted with a horse. Full disclosure: this room is designed for private dining, but we have heard more than a few whispers suggesting the alternate use.
Now that our excitement about an evening spent sipping red lotus (sake, yuzu, sesame leaf, cane sugar, plum basil seeds) and chai tea-infused bourbon until a verse or two of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” slips out, let's talk about the food. There is a lot of it and diners have a few options. The main attraction is the Korean BBQ offerings, which are served at distressed wood booths with built-in infrared grills.
Served with jasmine rice, the cook-it-yourself options include banana-leaf wrapped salmon, lemongrass chicken and short ribs. For sides, choices range from fingerling potatoes to bok choy. Guests not seated at one of the grill-equipped booths can still order off the grill menu.
There is also a less hands-on dinner menu with tea-smoked meats served with steamed buns, tofu hot pots and pancakes cooked in their wood-burning oven. A bites menu includes Thai-style fried chicken, Asian pancakes with kimchi and bacon, as well as crispy tofu with sweet and sour plum sauce.
Kim is not done yet. Next door to BellyQ is BQ2GO, a counter-service only spot with salads, rice-paper wraps and Vietnamese coffee on tap. Karaoke not included.
1400 W Randolph St.; 312-563-1010
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