Beer lovers, beware. After visiting Beer Bistro once, you'll be tempted to come back again and again until you've sampled all 90 or so beer offerings. The 12 on draft run the spectrum from PBR to Lindemann's Framboise, while non-draft options include cans of Schlitz and high-brow options like Italy's Peroni and the German pilsner Warsteiner. Regional microbrews are also available, and the selection of no less than 18 Belgian beers ranks among the city's best.
As the name implies, food comes with the booze. The menu cleverly suggests beer pairings for each item, most seemingly based on geography. Feel like quesadillas? Try Mexico's Pacifico. Craving some fish and chips? Go with England's Old Peculiar ale. Menu highlights include the beer-braised chicken, the chicken Vesuvio sandwich and the so-mod appetizer plate of sliders. Just about everything on the menu falls in the $8-$15 range, and a beer will cost you $5 give or take, depending on what you order.
The decor is simple, in the Early Beer Sign tradition. With several flat screen TVs suspended from the ceiling, Beer Bistro caters to a sports-centric crowd, especially when the Bulls or Hawks are in town. The bar offers a shuttle bus to and from the United Center, but on other nights, seating in the 150-person bar is more than adequate for casual diners sampling the international brews. A party room in back is available for groups who want the pub-crawl experience without all that tiresome walking.
Centerstage Reviewer: Aimee Hall
