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Categories: Lounges, American (New) [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River NorthMerchandise Mart (Purple Express, Brown)
Clark/Lake (Pink, Brown, Green, Blue, Purple Express, Orange)
Mon-Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
"No hate for Elate...none at all. An indie restaurant inside the newly sprung Hotel Felix (River North), Elate is a diamond in the rough…" read more »
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While walking the dog over to Petco I saw the sign for BluPrint, went home and looked it up on here-After looking at the menu I wanted to try it out-
FOOD:
I love that this place has Southern cuisine, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, grits, collard greens...
Appetizer: I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes, very good-
Entree: Halibut that was served on top of a bed of grits and collard greens, very good-Yet the halibut could have been a tad more moist, yet I did like the crust on top but it was over cooked just a hair-
Husband ordered the special, pork loin seved on pureed potatoes, spinach and cooked black cherries-He said it was very good-
ENVIRONMENT:
Very modern look to it but also odd, booths remind of something at a fast food place, they had candles on the table but the wall lighting was very bright-
They also had a band playing, I believe it started at 8:00, so if you want to dine and not hear that come before 8:00-Service was great, and honestly a great value-This isn't an intimate place to eat at, nor romantic, very open/exposed-
I would come back here again, small menu but good selection-
***Easiest entrance is on the backside of Merchandise Mart, over where Kinzie is-
I arrived at Blueprint about the time they opened for service on a Thursday evening. We got the server's full attention as the place slowly filled over the next hour. The bar was clearly a hot spot for the after work crowd. I am a modern art fan- love clean lines so I especially loved Blueprint's ambiance. Everything- the tables, serving wear, food, everything has a specific and complimentary shape. The menu is minimalistic as well but we were able to find and thoroughly enjoy great meals. My companion ordered one of the fish selections to rave reviews and I enjoyed the artistic and interesting pasta dish. It was a medley of fall vegetables surrounding and inside intricate, delicate, little tortellini (they looked more like 3D versions of the Pac Man ghosts). Interesting flavors, textures, shapes, and colors.
It wasn't especially easy to find the restaurant in the mammoth that is the Merchandise Mart but we followed the signs and eventually got there. I thought the prices were fair for a tasty and interesting meal.
I like decor and style this place. Cocktail is $9! I think affordable price cuz lots of fancy restaurant charge me $15 per cocktail.
Great food and great service. Good for couples who need romantic night!
I can't believe I haven't been to Bluprint until now, even though it's been open since 2007! I finally tried it out with a friend last night and was very impressed.
As others have mentioned, the decor is sleek and modern, a look that complements the contemporary furniture showcased in portions of the Merchandise Mart. Despite the clean lines, the room still maintains an airy feel with white walls and light wood seating.
My food was fantastic! I'm a huge risotto fan, but some restaurants' versions are heavy on the butter or cream, which detracts from the real flavors. Blueprint's spring risotto did not disappoint me -- the asparagus, mushrooms, peas and lemon gave it a great flavor, and I couldn't taste a hint of butter or cream. Definitely some of the best restaurant risotto I've had in recent history. My apple/blue cheese/walnut salad was a nice start to the meal.
Drinks are excellent. My friend and I both drank a crisp, excellent sauvignon blanc, and the wine list had several nice wines by the glass, in addition to an interesting cocktail list. I could easily see coming back for an after-work drink to soak up the atmosphere at the bar.
Service was very friendly and attentive, although the latter did not surprise me since we were some of the only patrons in the restaurant. We went on a rainy Tuesday night around 8:00, and from what I've heard, this place tends to draw a larger lunch and happy hour/after work crowd, so perhaps we went at the wrong time. I took one star off for this reason, although I'd have preferred to give 4 1/2 stars. It sounds like several reviewers have encountered a similarly empty restaurant. Maybe all of Yelpers should go at the same time to fill the place up, because it's definitely worth a visit!
Overall, Bluprint was a great dining experience, and I'll certainly be back soon. Check it out!
I had a great lunch here a little while ago. I had a delicious sandwich, but my friend had the best steak salad I have ever tasted. It was fairly empty while we were there, so the waiter was very attentive and helpful. He recommend both dishes, and they were good suggestions!
I thought this was a great place to have a nice quiet lunch!
Bluprint isn't great, but it's definitely not terrible. I would take someone here if I wanted to impress them, because they restaurant looks real nice. Of course, it's in the Mart, so you have to walk around to find your way here. No big deal though.
Of all the things I've eaten here, I think the fries and mac & cheese stand out the most (both of those are side dishes). Not to say the meals, themselves, weren't great, but I left thinking about the sides. The flatbread is also tasty.
Their specials are usually pretty intruiging, so much so that even when you're dead set on ordering from the regular menu, you may decide to switch things up once you've taken a look at the specials. Something to think about before you pay them a visit: looking at the menu online beforehand may not be much help.
We had our company party here recently.
I would give 5 stars for the decor. The space is beautiful and they went all out making our private section look GORGEOUS. For the first little while they even sectioned off the back half of the bar for us so that we didn't have to fight through the mass of after-work patrons to get a drink.
The appetizers were delicious, especially the baked goat cheese puff thingy-mer-bobbers. The main meal (done buffet style) was also tasty. Save one problem. Thanksgiving was a few weeks ago, right? So why on earth would I want to eat turkey, stuffing, gravy, pureed (think baby food) sweet potatoes, and green beans?
I don't mean to mislead. I love that stuff. Once a year. On Thanksgiving.
Perhaps that was my company's decision? Or perhaps it was Bluprint's. Who knows. It was good. It just wasn't inspired.
Drinks were yummy. Service at the bar, after they opened it up to everyone, was slow. They should have had another bartender on. It was a Friday night and they had a huge event booked, plus the (what I assumed to be) usual Friday crowd. That said, drinks were strong. So all was forgiven. And forgotten. Mostly forgotten. Due to the large amounts of free alcohol imbibed over the course of the evening.
I don't think I'd return to Bluprint on my own accord. If someone else wanted to make a trip I definitely would, but it wasn't so spectacular or unique that I'd put forth the effort.
This is a nice little place located in the Merchandise Mart. The décor and set up makes me think that it's more of a cocktail lounge, but then again, do people really stick around Merchandise Mart for cocktails? Maybe they do - I'm from out of town, so what do I know?
We grabbed a quick lunch here after working nearby at Argo Tea. I got the chicken curry salad, which was super tasty. I'm not a huge fan of normal chicken sald, but the curry and other seasonings added just the right amount of kick. I ate plenty of the tasty rosemary bread that they started us out with, so I probably didn't need the 3 slices that they served the salad with. Still, nice thought, guys.
Our service was prompt and courteous. The place seemed really slow, though. This was great for talking (not too much competing noise or conversation), but probably not so great for the waiters' wallets. I'd give Bluprint another try and check out something else on the menu if I was nearby, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to return.
I work in the building so I have been here a few times for lunch. I have tried several things on the menu, and have not been impressed with any of them. The decor is neat, and everything is served on really modern, unique plates. The service is good, and the waiters have been very helpful.
Been here a few times for lunch now. Great service, good soups.
I had the BluePrint burger (medium rare w/bacon), really nice and way better than the one I had at Marche the week before (hey, if you can't do a burger right?)
I was super excited to try this restaurant located in the Merchandise Mart when it first opened last summer. Then I read one mediocre review after another and stayed away. However, when looking for a lunch spot near the mart this past Tuesday I decided to check it out. And I liked it! I've now made up for lost time at Bluprint because I went back for lunch yesterday. Yep, that's 2 times in 3 days, which may seem like a lot of Bluprint to some, but I'm even looking forward to my next visit in the near future.
The restaurant is very modern and sleek- it's actually a little cold feeling, but I wouldn't really expect a nice restaurant located in the Mart to be warm and cozy. The food was delish starting with the bread basket they brought out to our table. And i just happened to be with Miss Colleen "I don't eat carbs anymore" C so more bread for me! On both occasions I ordered the chicken curry salad. I know, I should branch out more, but figured I'd stick with a good thing. My friend who joined me at lunch #2 at Bluprint ordered the Amish chicken and it looked so good that i was having a bit of meal envy (even though i was quite content with my curry chicken salad).
Service was great both times- lots of personal attention, especially since the restaurant was pretty much empty on both occasions! Not sure if I'd want to go to dinner here, but I think this will become my go-to spot for upscale lunches in the area....
I'm sort of a big deal in the world of Cobb Salads.
Just call me Colleen "Cobb Salad Judger C. mmmmk?
Because, let's face it. Sometimes you want some major "stuff" on a salad. Avocado, egg, ham, turkey, bacon, lots of other good stuff. Not just wimpy lettuce and some tomatoes. That just won't do it for me, I need stuff. I'm a girl who eats.
Bluprint's Cobb Salad was quite phenomenal and well portioned for $15. I could barely make a dent in it. Fresh, flavorful, well done!
I also tried the special soup; Mushroom. It was very heavy and a bit too tepid for my tastes, but the fresh mushrooms in the mix were very tasty. A nice complement to the rockin' Cobb.
Good stop for lunch in the Loop, particularly for business lunches as its a bit more upscale than say...Potbelly's. Clean atmosphere, lots of seating, easily accessed by the Merch Mart el. Service was just dandy, and our lunch was very enjoyable.
Stamp: Cobb approved.
Food=par. I tried several things on the menu and none of them really stood out except for the truffle parmesan fries which were absolutely delicious!! But other than that I think you can get better food elsewhere. However, the prices weren't bad, service was great and the decor is very modern and sleek. It seems like a nice place to relax after work and grab a drink with friends and chat.
I used to work in and around the Merchandise Mart so I went here often for lunch and after work drinks. Before they officially opened they hosted a few parties for the Mart and their selection of hors d'oeuvres was very tasty. The night of their grand opening they had an entirely different menu but I was still impressed with their choices.
The servers were all very knowledgeable about the menu and had good suggestions for new items.
The bartender was a little *too* heavy handed, which I usually never complain about, but sometimes you just want to have a couple drinks and not be totally canned when you're ready to leave.
Frouffy Ambiance - 5 stars for being gorgeous
Fancyschamncy food - 3 stars for being ehhhhhok
Cutesydrinks - 1 star for being overpriced (even for the merch mart) and crappy!
The restaurant is gorgeous on the inside - and I would expect nothing less since it is located inside the Merchandise Mart in the middle of the "Luxe Home" setup.
The food is hit or miss. The menu is small - so I expected with the minimal selection everything would be top notch. Not so much. The lobster bisque soup is ok, the burger is all right, the smoked salmon - I think I can get better quality at Einstein Bagels for less money. I don't mind shelling out money for a good meal, but Bluprint continues to crush my hopes and dreams with their bland offerings.
I have been consistently disapointed with the drinks. The beers are expensive (but that is to be expected). I had a pumpkin martini for $11 and I would rather have had someone poop in my mouth. When I go to a fancier place - I usually order a dirty gin martini with blue cheese olives. It is my signature drink. When I ordered one here - it was a) not dirty b) made with sweet vermouth. When I informed stoned hippie surfer guy waiter I had he was like "Ohhhhhhh" and went and got me another one. It arrived 20 minutes later after I finished my meal. There were five other people in the restaurant.
I'll probably go back again out of sheer laziness or until the Merch Mart gets another place that serves booze.
This place is NOT good. The food was pret-tay pret-tay pret-tay bad and my waiter was stoned and had a ridiculous hairdo. The decor was beautiful but that only goes so far when your party of 3 is the ONLY party in the restaurant. We were there from 5-6pm last Saturday and it was dead, granted the weather was terrible but it would have been nice to see other people in the spot.
Kona Kampachi - BOO-urns!
Truffle & Parmesan Fries - better than Rockit's
Postmodern Blu Cocktail - served in a too trendy cup that is awkward to grasp, but I liked the flavor because it reminded me of a blue Flavor Ice
Total bill was around $50, will never come here again.
To each his or her own. I can see why some would like Bluprint, but it wasn't my cup of tea.
The sandwich that I ordered was good, not great. The pork was dry and the bread seemed a little stale. I am off of fries for 2008, but I tried the bloody mary ketchup which was pretty darned good. Also, the pickles were very good, even considering that I am not a fan of bread and butter or any type of sweet pickles.
To me, the decor was offputting. Everything looked very cold and sterile (not sterile in a good way). To me, it looked like what everyone in 1986 thought everything would look like in 2008.
With everything in the area that is available, I probably won't make it back to Bluprint.
I used to work right across the river from Bluprint and have been there several times for lunch or after work cocktails. I just love it. The service is fantastic and they play some chill music that lends a wonderful backdrop to good conversation. They offer a wide range of wines and interesting cocktails, but don't worry, they are pros at serving up your favorites. (I LOVE LEMONDROP Martinis!)
Anyway, their lunch is really good as well. No complaints whatsoever.
The reason for only 4 stars is that they used to have amazing drink specials that they discontinued. I'd still go for full price though, just have to consume half as much. :-P
Oh...this place and I are going to be very very good friends...I can tell already. We needed a drink before the opera and had a little over an hour before it started. Looked around at other places and they were...well...too snooty I guess for lack of a better word. So finally we learn from a friend about this place. Walk in and WOW! The decor is gorgeous! Being a Asian decor lover as it is I was in heaven in here. We sat at the bar and were promptly and nicely serviced. It was quiet and not much going on. Perfect. The problem with these after work drinking places is that they get SO packed after 4:30! Here, not so much, because I think everyone escapes the bowels of the Merchandise Mart after they leave work.
I feel like I shouldn't even review this place for fear that the word will get out and everyone will hang out here instead after work. And then where will I go to have a decent conversation before the opera?
So shhh! Don't tell anyone, but if you want a nice quiet drink after a rough day and don't want to yell anymore, come to Bluprint. It has everything you need to make it all better!
I normally would probably give Bluprint 4.5 stars but I'm giving it 5 stars to that EVERYONE WILL GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! I can't believe what a gem this is. I ate dinner here on a Friday night prior to seeing a show at The Chicago Theater. The food was so amazing - my friend (a vegetarian) and I were blown away by the flavors that come out of the food which are a surprise just by looking at it.
The ONLY negative thing I have to say about this restaurant is that there aren't that many people here. It is super cute and seems like it should be packed with a fun vibe at all times. The bar is spacious and offers super creative drinks. I'd love to come here and hang out after work, except there aren't that many people there. So you all must go and check it out and have a drink. I usually don't repeat restaurants, since there are so many in Chicago to go to, but this one is so good that I need to come back and bring my family and close friends so they can see what they are missing.
This place is 'ridiculous' (in a good way for those not familiar with this adjective). Not in recent memory have I had a business lunch where the food was so remarkable. May 13th was my first visit to Bluprint, so I can't relate to all the whining from previous reviewers who bashed this place.
We split the edamame appetizer which is truly enough for 2-3. I ordered the Amish Chicken, a perfectly roasted chicken, moist and tasty over a bed of a creamy version of grits. My colleague ordered the Chicken Salad which had a great overtone of mustard that took this ordinary item and made it memorable. Too late for this visit I see they have $5 Martini's on Tuesday and Thursday. I will DEFINITELY be back in the next couple weeks with my wife for this terrific lunch (and a martini!). It's not a cheap place, but worth the few extra bucks to impress a business friend or that significant other.
What a sexy restaurant. There aren't enough well designed restaurants like this in Chicago. The ambiance is great although being in the lobby of the Merchandise Mart does detract from the sexiness.
With the exception of the half-Asian, half-White girl with a messed up half-Southern, half-Hong Kong accent with a strong lisp who couldn't stop talking about her need to "empower young businesswomen because I don't have a child of my own to empower", the crowd was quite pleasant. I really wanted to go over to her and say "inside voices please".
Most importantly, the food was top notch. The selection for vegetarians is very bare but luckily I partake in all sorts of carnivorous delights. The dessert was out of this world - even manly men will appreciate it. Get the butterscotch and chocolate mousse dessert.
Finally a place in the Mart...but could be better. I went here for a business lunch this week and we couldn't resist trying it because it is so close.
The place is reminiscent of New York or Miami, so kind of seems out of place. I think the decor may be more appreciated during an after-work drink situation rather than lunch. We tried the heirloom tomatoes and shortrib potstickers for appetizers, and the tomatoes were fresh and the potstickers were perfect (not greasy at all, which I liked). For my lunch, I had the BLT + B which is a BLT with buffalo mozzarella. It was just ok, very messy to eat. Oh! And we had the mac & cheese for the table which was good and creamy.
In sum, entrees were average. What I really was impressed by was the service, we were in and out in exactly an hour! That doesn't happen very often, especially with a full restaurant. I'd probably come back for drinks and appetizers after a long day of work.
Went here for lunch today. I felt as though I was walking into 2001: A Space Odyssey. I honestly thought HAL was going to start talking to me at some point. Okay, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but the place is uber modern and has a sort of cafeteria, though modern cafeteria, feel to it.
The wait staff is exceptionally attentive and actually do a pretty nice job of getting you in and out in quick time. One thing I appreciated was that they could clear a table without interrupting the conversation, definitely a plus.
As for the food, well, color me "meh"ed. It was okay, average, decent, but not great lunch fare. I ordered the Wagyu burger and we shared the short rib pot stickers. The pot stickers weren't oily, as Brittany C. mentioned, but the meat inside didn't exactly taste like short ribs either, but more like pulled pork. Good, but not fantastic. The burger, unfortunately, was a bit disappointing. The meat was over cooked and the bun was a bit stale. They also serve it in an awfully cheesy way, serving it with "bloody Mary ketchup" and with, essentially, the accoutrements of a Bloody Mary (olives, pickles, some salami and cheese, pearl onions, a banana pepper, and a miniature mushroom). It really didn't have any place being in the dish and, frankly, was just too odd.
I think this place would be decent for cocktails after work, the ambiance is way modern, but at least clean, and the waitstaff is good. But I was there for food and got a deconstructed Bloody Mary on my burger which wasn't even that good.
Go here for lunch with business associates, and if you are pressed for time.
This isn't anywhere I'd care to spend a considerable amount of time at. The seating arrangements are kind of cold and sterile- and reminded me of a very pristine and modern under-the-sea cafeteria. And I just didn't understand the aquatic videos playing on the flatscreens.
The service was very good, and the food was very good (although they were out of my first choice entree).
The Mart definitely needs a more full service restaurant, but this is a bit disappointing. Also, I think they should have valet as my associate was meeting me there just for lunch and had to park across the street.
3.5 stars, really.
i do wonder if this place will be around too long, with its location and whatnot. i came here for dinner with a friend and had a great time. amazing main course! amazing drinks! the atmopshere is stark and chilly, but i did comment on the lushness of the bamboo at our table. so whatever.
a little pricey for what you get, but it comes with the territory, i suppose. nice restaurants usually = small portions/large prices.
this place is annoying!
i've been a couple of time after work events in the mart, and besides a convenient location and somewhat interesting menu choices, i really have no reason to go here.
your service leaves much to be desired (get it together already!), and your tables remind me of a corporate lunchroom. your prices are a bit much, and your wines by the glass are sparse.
at least the company i'm with when i'm there is always fantastic!
I used to work directly across from this place in the Mart so I've eaten and drank here numerous times. They have the best soups I've ever tasted and some of the best lunch items as well. Its pretty pricey, probably a little too pricey but I guess that's the location. I do highly recommend it though if your meal is on someone else's tab.
They have Hendrick's gin which is great! However, my friends vodka and sprite was first served as vodka and soda and then vodka and tonic...third time is a charm...I suppose.
Really nothing too great about this place...the space is well designed but it is very pricey!
I can't believe I've worked next door for 6 months and hadn't been here until today. A coworker and I went to lunch and LOVED it. Everything we ordered was delicious. That's what I like about this place, they seem to really love food. Every element of their dishes is high quality. Even a plain old mixed green salad was outstanding. Our server said they try to use all locally grown (maybe organic?) ingredients.
Aside from the excellent food, the decor and mood of the place is cool. The bar actually has great drink specials throughout the week (Wednesday is half priced glasses of wine? What more could I WANT?) Our server was very helpful and patient without a hint of arrogance.
I will definitely be back.
If you've ever been to the Merchandise Mart, you know that along with all the stores and boutiques, there are plenty of places to stop and grab a quick lunch. Bluprint is easy on the eyes, but it feels like they spent more time decorating the space than planning the menu. The epitome of modern design, it is constructed of cool, blue colors; sleek, clean lines; and dark, walnut touches. A brightly lit glass and steel bar area separates the lounge from the dining room.
Relax and "nibble" on truffle and parmesan fries in the lounge. For something heartier, the lunch menu is "comfy," as exemplified by the mac 'n cheese, pulled pork, turkey reuben, and fish & chips. While good, nothing stood out to me as something I couldn't have anywhere else. Perhaps dinner would have been better with things like baby octopus or kona kampachi. Main entree standouts include the venison chop (served with brown butter pear, rye bread pudding, and cinnamon jus).
Food... 2
Service....2
Atmosphere...3
I enjoyed the modern setting of the restaurant however it would have been just right if they dimmed the lights a bit. The haute decor was overshadowed by mediocre food and poor service. Between the water server coming every five seconds and the server never coming back until she brought the bill all I could focus on was my dull tuna sandwich.
I went to Bluprint for after-work drinks last week. It's a nice space, somewhat reminicent of a sleek Manhattan bar. The drinks were resonably priced and presented well. I had a pear cider and got it in a chilled glass...! The few apps we munched on were also tasty.
I would definitely go back there for drinks and to try the entrees. The place is only open until 9:00, though, so it would have to be lunch or after work.
The pictures do a pretty good job of explaining this place, so I'll keep it short. Crowd-wise it is a decent after-work spot in the 'mart. We had the duck nachos and some special fries with garlic mayonnaise... both were rather awesome!
Music was nothing special and the ambiance did feel a little out of place to me, but I'd probably go back.
While I'm thrilled that there is an upscale restaurant in the Mart, I'm not sure if this one is going to last. The decor is very modern, they had video of the circus on the bar monitors, but well done. Dinner on a Tuesday night was not very crowded, but there was a decent bar crowd, enough that we couldn't get a seat.
The food fairly good. They had some interesting flavor combinations, like an arugala salad with chopped chorizo and a grapefruit dressing. The greens were excellent, as was the chorizo, so it worked out. I had the strip steak, which was well prepared and well presented. They roasted some tiny onions, which I love. I would say that the presentation was important than the flavor, but both were good.
Dessert was also just in the decent range, with an emphasis on presentation. My stepmom had three ice cream sandwiches, while I shared some rice pudding. The strawberries with the rice pudding were excellent, although it had some fried phyllo dough on top that was odd.
I would go again, but not for a while. I hope it lasts and can improve a bit.
I really wanted to like this place, but the service fell flat. The place was probably half full, but it took our waiter 10 minutes to come by after we first sat down. The waits for our drinks and each one of our courses was also too long.
On the other hand, the food was all pretty good. It was reasonably priced considering the upscale image of the restaurant. We had a flat bread duck appetizer and potato leek soup that were both very good. For dinner, the lamb sausage with lentils and the chicken were our choices. Both were very tasty, but they would do well to salt them a little less. We did not stay for dessert as the service was slow enough to make us want to leave. I might try this place one more time to see if the service was just off that night, but I would not be running back anytime soon.
The flickr of dozens of candles and the dim lighting makes this place so beautiful. I just found the atmophere to be soo comfortable, almost aquatic. I could see going here for some sophisticated after-work cocktails on a Tuesday, or small bites and cocktails on a Saturday night. The blue martinis were wonderful as were the mini hamburgers with truffle fries. The service was prompt and constant. I loved it, and WILL be back to try it again!
Sometimes you happen to find something in your food that does not belong. How the restaurant handles it is very important and you can read about this below.
First I want to tell you about this place before my incident, so you can equally judge for yourself.
There are better places around the area but four of us were in the Merchandise Mart on a Friday evening and decided to try it.
Location is ok - north end of the Mart. Easy to hop-off the Brown Line. Not easy if you were parking around there and then getting to the second level north end.
Atmosphere is nice - "fancy" and "hip".
Food selection is limited. So, if you have a few people in your group it may be difficult to make everyone happy. There is only one real entre for a vegetarian.
Drink selection is good - not a lot of wines to choose from on the list. They do have some special types of martinis. There are not great varieties of scotch.
Portions are small and pricy but I think you should expect this with many swanky places in River North. I will not complain about the amount of food but if you bring an appetite, you will need an appetizer, salad and entree. You'll even be able to have dessert.
Service was good and it didn't appear others around us had issues with service.
This being said, I am still not excited about this place and would not go back - there are too many other places to try.
Here comes the interesting part of this review. The chef did make an appearance at our table which I was happy about after the incident.
We all know food should be cooked at proper temperatures and they usually warn us about eating raw meat or fish. I didn't see the warning and thought cod brazed in milk would be good. Apparently not, so AVOID the cod because mine came with a parasite. There are certain types of fish known to have parasites and cod is a common one (grouper and swordfish are some of the others).
They did pay for our desserts and my meal which is fair. I washed it all down with a glass of Glenfiddich.
I went to Bluprint for a party and only had drinks there. The atmosphere was decent, dark and modern. The drinks there were cheaper than I expected, which was a bonus! It was weird that when you get your change back, you actually get change. That never happens at the bar. Literally, there were pennies involved. We went on a Thursday night and they had $5 martini specials, which I only had a sip of since those were way too strong for me. I will have to go back and try the food one day. Too bad I don't work in the Mart anymore otherwise it would be oh, so convenient.
I recently went to Bluprint for lunch.
I think the decor/design in this place is awesome and was really impressed by that. I loved the colors and simple modernity of everything.
The service was fine. We were seated immediately, as we were the first people there for lunch that day (11:30am-it did fill up later). Our waitress was a total stoner, but that didn't bother me. She was attentive enough, but probably would have been better suited for, say, Chili's. She did mention, upon noting that I was looking at their martini list, that they have $5 martinis on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Maybe this place is a better spot for a drink after work.
The food was so-so. I did the 'designer lunch' and chose the soup (tomato bisque), fried chicken (yeah, I was a little hungover), and carrot cupcake. The soup did not have a lot of taste--actually, I think Campbell's tomato soup tastes better. The fried chicken wasn't bad. It wasn't greasy (somewhat disappointing given my hungover state), and had some marinara and greens on it. It was a breast of chicken, which was a pleasant surprise. It was good, but not great. The carrot cupcake, however, was fantastic! I joked that I wish I had just ordered 6 of them for lunch. It was a mini carrot cake cupcake cut in half with cream cheese frosting both on top and in the middle. Accompanying it was a rich caramel drizzle. It was delicious! Both of the people that I was with had the turkey reuben. It didn't look that good to me, because the turkey was cut very thick. But they both thought it was fine.
Like some others have mentioned, I don't think this place will be around very long. Taking people to lunch is a big part of my job, and when I mentioned to my coworkers that I was going to Bluprint, not a single one of them had heard of it. The location is definitely an issue, since navigating the Merchandise Mart is nearly impossible.
I did not think that the prices were high, though again we were there for lunch.
3 Course Thanksgiving Meal!
Neighborhood: Near West Side
Weekend Brunch
Neighborhood: The Loop
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: Irish
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: French
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Near North Side
Category: American (New)
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