Tucked away in the West Loop neighborhood between Lake and Fulton Street, under dim street lights and nearby Chicago Union Station, it’s easy to miss Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar. Fortunately, its lighted smokestack and delicate maroon banners create a casual invitation, beckoning you to come inside.
Owners Jimmy Alexander and Mitchell Schmieding opened the restaurant in November of last year, completing a long-held dream between the two.
“Well, it was a vision between Jimmy and myself… and sometime ago we realized with my background and his we thought that one day we would open a restaurant of our own,” Schmieding said. “And fifteen, twenty years later here we are.”
The restaurant, located in a building which used to hold the generators that powered the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, seems to be located in the perfect place.
“We are in the loop, close to the business environment, and on the plus side we are near a lot of residential environments…so we have both things working for us,” Schmieding said. “We are also next to the expressway, which makes it easier to get to from suburbia and we are close to the opera house and a lot of major industries.”
Powerhouse offers patrons a comfortable feel in its bar area where it serves snacks, sandwiches and desserts. The dinning room offers a elegant experience with soft lighting, quiet music and an attentive and knowledgeable staff. Whether you come here for a business meeting, romantic meal or special occasion, Powerhouse provides a wonderful experience through its delicious menu and enjoyable atmosphere.
“We wanted a restaurant which would have cuisine which is classic in one sense which appeals to that section of the demographic but also contemporary in another sense,” Schmieding said. “For example, If I were to say to my wife we are going to a steak house tonight, she wouldn’t be too interested. But if I were to say we are going to a classic American restaurant where we offer a lot of organic items that offer a whole spectrum appeal it’s going to be a big plus. Secondly we wanted the cuisine to be straightforward, identifiable to a high-class restaurant but not the least bit intimidating.”
Despite the challenges of opening a new restaurant in Chicago, the owners are happy with the progress so far.
“We are pleasantly surprised,” Schmieding said. “It was very tough opening in November, on one side it’s been very hard to prepare staff because anyone of good value would already have a job around this time, because of the busy holiday season. On the plus side we where only one of two restaurant opening during the time. The client reception for the restaurant has been very good.”
With the restaurant still in it’s infancy, Jimmy Alexander and Mitchell Schmieding are already planning for the future.
“We are going to continue developing our menu, we have overhauled our menu before, and we might be doing that again,” he said. “The next big step we plan on taking is opening an outdoor café, which would be the entire sidewalk from Fulton to Lake. That’s a few months away, but it’s really right around the corner.”
Alexander and Schmieding also plan on developing promotions for their carry-out service, which includes all the items on their regular menu.
Crowd
The patrons at Powerhouse range in age from mid-thirties and older, consisting of mostly professionals attired in business casual dress and suits. The nighttime crowd seemed to consist of after work gatherings and dinners between couples. You could come in here in a tee-shirt and jeans, but you wouldn’t feel comfortable…so dress up a little for this place.
Food
You can kick start your menu off with a delicious selection of appetizers including the Butternut Squash Risotto, Nantucket Bay Scallops or the Crisp Kurobuta Pork Belly. The Slow-Roasted Chicken Thigh stands out in flavor and presentation. Served over toasted farro with kohlrabi and thyme, the chicken is seared over, creating a tasty crust with a juicy and tender thigh. The Romaine Hearts salad includes quail eggs, Nueske Bacon and just the right amount of garlic dressing, dressed over without sacrificing the flavor of the fresh vegetables, including a tart onion. The salad menu also includes the Field Greens and Grapefruit-Arugula. The main courses consist of a few dishes each in beef, game and seafood. The Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs, served with a side of polenta, melts in your mouth and comes with a Smokey taste. The Double-Cut Iowa Pork Chop comes in a large serving, seared to lock in the juices and creating a crispy crust. Other dishes include Atlantic Cod, Roasted Pekin Duck and the Choice Tenderloin. To finish things off, the desert menu includes such dishes as the Maple Syrup Apples, Caribe Chocolate Tart and Blood Orange Cheesecake. The Chocolate-Pecan Pie and the Mango Upside Down Cake blend together great. The Pecan Pie mixes warm, chewy pecans with a side of chocolate ice cream toped off with a crispy crust. The warm, sweet Upside Down Cake came with a cold side of delicious mangos.
Spirits
Powerhouse offers a large selection of wines and liquors…try out the tasty lemon-drop martini!
Prices
Prices here aren’t cheap, so make sure you take a look at the menu before coming over. Appetizers run from $11 to $18, main courses from $28 to $44 and desserts from $6 to $9. In the dinning room, you can expect to drop more than $100 per person. Look for the bar area for a cheaper menu.
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