A sepia tone often gives photos a classic and distinguished feel, so it’s only appropriate that Emmanuel Nony’s restaurant is named Sepia. This fine dining spot effortlessly blends vintage with contemporary in a warm and comforting space.
Once through the worn wooden door, patrons are greeted by a custom-made tile floor with Art Nouveau patterns, exposed-brick walls alongside panels of dark wood, and warm browns, oranges, and deep purples. Sepia is divided into three sections: the lounge, the bar, and the main dining area.
With ingredients coming directly from local artisan farmers, the menu changes seasonally. Around this time of year, starters include a delicious chilled cucumber and avocado soup, grilled soft-shell crab, and roasted rabbit. From the grill, the flat iron steak (with fingerling potatoes) will melt in your mouth, and the skate wing (stingray) with broccoflower is a rare delicacy. Don’t miss out on their signature side dish, the potatoes in duck fat.
Don’t be intimidated by the floor-to-ceiling wine rack which produces a 100-bottle, specialty wine list. Most selections are less than $75. Finally, everything on the dessert menu is recommendable, so feel free to order up some lemon-sage bread pudding, nectarine upside-down cake, or bittersweet chocolate crepes.
After enjoying the rustic, unfussy atmosphere, you’ll be glad to tell your friends about this course of a different color.
Sepia ($$$$): 123 N Jefferson St; 312-441-1920
Brunch
Sun: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch
Mon – Fri: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner
Sun – Thurs: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.