Best New Spring Menu at Benjamin

Seasonally-driven Cuisine in Downtown Highland Park

Benjamin, located in the heart of downtown Highland Park, has unveiled their latest locally-sourced and seasonally-inspired menu for Spring. In continuing with their “farm to fork” philosophy, the new menu offers salads and soups, small and large plates, and sweets.

Executive Chef Benjamin Brittsan has created new “small plate” dishes, such as veal sweetbreads, sardines, gnocchi, crab salad, mussels, veggie terrine, scallops, crostini, bruschettes and beef tongue. Brittsan’s Spring salads include the Spring Harvest Salad, The Kinda Waldorf and a Southwestern Chopped. New “large plates” introduce Local Whitefish, Pan Roasted Duck Breast, Midwestern Farms Bistro Filet of Beef and Cedar Roasted Wild Salmon. For a sweet ending to a seasonal meal, Chef Brittsan offers such new dessert selections as Meyer Lemon Tarte Panna Cotta, Rhubarb & White Chocolate Cheesecake and Double Chocolate & Nutella Brioche Bread Pudding.The new Spring menu is outlined below.

In addition to the regular menu, Benjamin now offers a six course, chef’s tasting menu. The menu is different each night and will take dietary restrictions into consideration. Everyone at the table must participate in the tasting. The price of $75 includes six courses and one glass of wine. For $99, each of the six courses will be paired with wine. An example of Chef Brittsan’s recent tasting menu is also outlined below.

Benjamin is open for lunch service Wednesday through Friday and open for dinner service Tuesday through Sunday. Benjamin’s hours are: Tuesday 5-10pm; Wednesday through Friday 11:30am-2:30pm and 5-10pm; Saturday 5-11pm and Sunday 5-8pm.

Benjamin Restaurant

For more about Steaks see: CHICAGO’S BEST STEAKS & STEAKHOUSES

Who are Chicago’s Best Restaurants? Best Restaurants

Small Plates

Warm Marinated Olives grilled citrus $5
Charcuterie & Cheese seasonal artisan cheeses, la quercia meats, columbus salumi, accoutrements $10
Veal Sweetbreads puff pastry poppadoms, oyster mushrooms, hazelnuts, sauternes emulsion $8
Sardines bone-in, a la plancha, lemon, capers, olives, parsley, EVOO $8
Gnocchi pistachio and mint pesto, peas, fava beans, black truffle $7
Chilled Crab Salad mango gellée, grilled baby gem lettuce, guacamole, rhubarb vinaigrette $8
Mussels coconut broth, thai flavors, semillon verjus $8
Local Vegetable Terrine seasonal vegetables, goat cheese, roasted pepper coulis, cucumber caviar $7
Diver Sea Scallop gnocchi gratin, sweet corn cream, spanish chorizo, fried brussels sprouts $11
Crostini aged manchego, piquillo pepper, serrano ham, garlic EVOO $7
Grilled Beef Bruschettes chimichurri, grilled spring onions, nopales salad $8
Beef Tongue celeriac remoulade, housemade giardiniera $6
Housemade Lamb Sausage roasted pepper ragout, tzatziki sauce, local feta, mint $8
Fried Calamari shishito & banana peppers, tomato beurre blanc, parmesan $8
Beets roasted, pureed, chips, chevre fritters, mache, blood orange vinaigrette $7
Grilled Shrimp Skewers chipotle-mango glaze, cilantro essence, housemade sopes $9
Deconstructed Spicy Tuna Roll nori arancini tempura, cucumber, sashimi tuna, spicy mayonnaise, wasabi caviar, soy bubbles $10
Spring Vegetable Medley herbs, balsamico, EVOO $6
Housemade Garlic Frites housemade ketchup and bravas sauce, pecorino romano, parmesan, truffle essence $6

Salads & Soups

Benjamin Signature Salad cucumber, greenhouse cherry tomato, local goat cheese, mixed greens, dried michigan cherries, hazelnuts, watermelon radish, citrus vinaigrette $9
The Kinda Waldorf spring greens, dried apple, balsamic figs, candied walnuts, cranberries, plum vinaigrette $9
Southwestern Chopped romaine, grilled corn, black beans, spring onions, tortilla strips, queso fresco, cucumber, tomato, chipotle honey lime vinaigrette $9
Spring Harvest dandelion greens, mache, local asparagus, peas, ricotta toasts, heirloom tomato
vinaigrette $9
Soup Of The Evening seasonal garnish $5

Large Plates

Benjamin Midwestern Wagyu Beef Burger brioche, caramelized red onion, jones farm bacon/ merkts cheddar, smoked gouda, local heirloom tomato, greens, housemade frites $17
Cedar Roasted Wild Salmon yuzu marmalade, spring slaw, rustic salsa verde, roasted potato/ crème fraiche $21
Local Whitefish wild mushrooms, fennel, artichoke, purple potato puree, petite salad, saffron emulsion $19
Midwestern Farms Bistro Filet Of Beef potato gratin, grilled local asparagus, pink peppercorn natural jus $23
Pasta Of The Evening seasonal ingredients $17
Pan Roasted Duck Breast celery root puree, hazelnut and apricot chutney, braised brussels sprouts, bourbon-rhubarb glaze $22

Desserts

Banana Caramelo warm crepe cup, cake batter ice cream, candied pistachios, warm butterscotch $7
Meyer Lemon Tarte Panna Cotta lemon custard, lemon cream, puff pastry, brulée $7
Rhubarb & White Chocolate Cheesecake streusel, compote, coulis, candied $7
Double Chocolate & Nutella Brioche Bread Pudding candied hazelnuts, candied bacon, caramel, cocoa nibs $7
Cheese Board seasonal cheeses, quince paste, accoutrements $7
Housemade Ice Cream Trio seasonal flavors $5

Chef’s Tasting Menu (example)

First Course
Beets/ roasted/ puréed/ chips/ mâché/ chèvre fritter