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Opera

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Sierra
Sierra
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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1
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4
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Editor Pick

Opera

  • February 7, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Sierra from Chicago, Illinois
Opera

Opera's location in the up-and-coming South Loop neighborhood is quite modest on the outside, giving no hint to the bright palimpsest of colors and styles that makes up the interior of this upscale Chinese restaurant.

Lest you think it is merely a hip, flashy setting for egg rolls and chow mein, think again. Opera calls their menu "Chinese with modern presentation", but this is Chinese food more like you'd find if you actually went to China: regional sauces, combined with traditional meats and vegetables that you may not find in your everyday Chinese restaurant: lotus root, duck, unusual mushrooms, curry.

Oh, to be sure, there's familiar items - sweet n' sour soup, for example. But if your taste buds are adventurous, you could not ask for a better place to try things out.

Feeling a little cautious? Try their petite prix-fixe menu on Sunday or Tuesday, when you can choose any appetizer, any entrée and and any dessert for just $25.

But if you're feeling more bold, bring friends and dive in their menu. I would particularly recommend splitting a variety of their appetizers - each more interesting and tasty than the next.

When I went, they started me out with an amuse, a popular way with many Chicago modern restaurants to give you a taste of the restaurant's skills. In this case, I started out with a petite baked goat cheese tartlette topped with a duck and mushroom-filled fried dumpling.

From there, we progressed onto my selection of appetizers, starting with morel mushroom wontons, tasty little dumplings accompanied by an asparagus salad and dressed with sweet truffle oil-sesame vinaigrette. Next came the Emperor's 5-Flavor Hot & Sour Soup, followed by the Lobster & Pork Sui Mai, and finally, my favorite appetizer, the outstanding Hainanese Mussels, a heaping bowlful of fresh mussels piled with young bamboo, lotus, cilantro, and the fragrant Chiu Chow chili-coconut broth.

Room for dessert? No, not for me - in fact, I had to take home a bit of my meal.

Opera is on the pricer side - on non-prix-fixe nights, an appetizer, entrée and dessert or drink will run you at least $30 - but it's worth it, a delight for the senses, both visual and culinary.

* * *

Opera is located at the corner of S. Wabash Ave. and 13th Street; valet parking is available for $10. Street parking is limited and is metered.

It is two blocks from the Roosevelt "L" stop (Red, green, orange lines) - walk one block towards the lake, then one block south. You can also take the 29 or 62 bus down State Street (one block east) from the central Loop.

Extensive wine list and bar selections. Private booths and party facilities available.

From journal Good Eats in the Windy City - Spring 2007

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