Dearly Beloved Opening May 1

Dearly Beloved, a cocktail restaurant with a sultry ambiance, blends unconventional flavors and globally inspired ingredients for a truly unique cocktail and dining experience. Dearly Beloved is a mixture of cocktail bar and a restaurant.

Located in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood between Old Town & River North in the recently shuttered Kiki’s space, Dearly Beloved hails from Machine Hospitality Group, the creators behind Headquarters Beercade and Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink.

“We call it a ‘cocktail’ restaurant because our drinks are the star of the show,” says co-owner Chireal Jordan in a statement. “We’ve evolved tremendously over the years from Headquarters to Machine, but Dearly Beloved will be the most elevated of our three concepts and we’re aiming for nothing short of national recognition when it comes to the cocktail program for this location.”

The 6000 + sq-ft space is a balance of edgy and elegant, testing the boundaries of Machine Hospitality’s imagination in a way they haven’t yet explored. “Creativity has always been the cornerstone of our concepts and this one is pushing all boundaries in that regard from cocktails to design conceptualization,” says co-owner Brian Galati. “It’s a juxtaposition of our Wicker Park restaurant Machine, which is a floral filled bright & elegant ambience.”

Spearheading the beverage program is Mixologist and Beverage Director Aneka Saxon, who has been an integral part of the Machine Hospitality Group team from the beginning. “I’m excited to unveil the cocktail program for Dearly Beloved. For years we’ve prided ourselves on innovative cocktails at all our concepts, but the techniques, ingredients and methods we’re creating for Dearly Beloved are on a different level.” Aneka’s nuanced approach will put esoteric ingredients at the heart of Dearly Beloved’s featured libations. Aneka’s creations include The Captured Shadow: Kaffir lime infused Kyro dark gin, agave nectar, orange bitters, absinthe, coconut chai foam, citrus dust and expression; Beautiful and Damned: Ritual sister smoked pineapple, amara di arancia rossa, field trip squash, finochietto, dandelion honey, fenugreek; and The Diamond as Big as the Ritz: Agricole, ming river baijiu, lime, papaya, ancho verde, agave nectar, Peychaud’s.

Cocktails may come first, but every dish is thoughtfully created by Chef Kristofer Lohraff and his culinary team to perfectly complement Dearly Beloved’s beverage-focused agenda. With a heavy focus on vegetables, the menu will feature a substantial selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten- free options while still offering a variety of dishes for carnivorous guests. Some dishes include Carrot Mochi, Coconut Curry – Sesame – Ginger – Lime; Okonomiyaki: Scallion – Carrot – Cabbage Chili Crunch – Kewpie – Soy Caramel; and Potato and Caviar: Potato Pave, Creme Fraiche, Caviar, Malt Vinegar, Burnt Shallot.

After dinner service, Dearly Beloved transforms into a dimly lit, moody cocktail haven for late-night drinks and small bites. Ideal for an intimate evening with friends or a unique date night spot, the upscale ambiance puts the guest experience at the forefront.

Dearly Beloved is located at 900 North Franklin, Chicago 60610. Hours of operation are Wednesday – Friday, 4 pm – 2 am, Saturday & Sunday 5 pm – 2 am. Weekend Brunch, 11 am – 3:30 pm on Saturdays & Sundays and Happy Hour, Wednesday – Friday, 4-6 pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday. The restaurant and bar are reservation-only.

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