Review: Young Augustine's (1)
Southern pub food in Grant Park
One day, people will talk about Young Augustines without mentioning the Standard. Specifically, theyll think about the pub without feeling the shudder of violence its building retains. Right now, its still too fresh — bartender John Henderson was murdered here, and that murder, along with the economic downturn, led to the Standards closing. But if theres a positive to come out of this whole tragic situation, its Young Augustines.
Opened last February by some of the Standards owners and some former employees who bought out the other owners, Young Augustines is a much different place than its predecessor. Theres no smoking allowed. Its prettier — dark wood, large blackboards and an open room replace the fractured feel of the Standards dining room.
The real difference, though, is in the food. The new management includes Andy Gonzales, a chef whos worked at Bluepointe South City Kitchen, Steinbecks and Spice Market. Gonzales diverse background shows in the Southern- and Asian-tinged pub food that comprises Young Augustines menu. For the most part, the influences stay to their own plates, but even when dishes do cross cultures, the mishmash works.
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(Photo by James Camp)