SparkChicago

• Location Address:1509 East 53rd Street 60615  view full map & directions
• Website:www.chantchicago.com

Vegan and vegetarian friendly. Delicious food and love the vibe!


Here's a review to provide more insight:

CHEAP EATS: Chant
Asian accented world tour

First impressions: A quote from Buddha painted in large, elegant gold script on the back wall helps set the tone for this Hyde Park restaurant with the Zen-sounding name of Chant. But the Buddhist cultural references contrast with the club music and the hard edges of metal-topped tables in the booths and the huge rough-cut steel letters spelling the name out front. The whole lets you know your expectations will be confounded, as they are on the menu, an Asian inflected, but worldly tour.

On the plate: The menu ping-pongs East to West, from pad Thai to bruschetta to tamarind chicken to polenta. Many European-based dishes have Asian accents, such as shu-mai with a lime mignonette and Cobb salad with edamame and a ginger vinaigrette. The fusion works the other way also in Peking duck that's turned into flautas. Three items are over our $13 limit, including filet mignon, but most are well within the range, many of them $8-$9.

At your service: Friendly, helpful servers stop by frequently. When our waitress didn't know which of the three Thai beers to recommend, she quickly relayed an answer from the Thai owner.

Second helpings: The enticing aroma of the pumpkin coconut soup arrived before the pretty bowl hit the table. And it delivered in flavor, too, with its silky richness. Pad se-eu from the takeout menu was a competent version with perfectly cooked rice noodles, toothsome broccoli, tender beef strips and well-balanced sauce. But our favorite was a French-Thai concoction: Asian ratatouille strudel. Flaky phyllo dough enveloped cooked-to-melting (but not mushy) zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, tofu and tomatoes served with a bright Thai basil oil that had pleasant green tea notes.

Take a pass: The asparagus rolls appetizer, a maki-like bundle of asparagus, red bell pepper and sushi rice wrapped in nori, sprinkled in panko crumbs and then "flash baked," sounded good. But the trip through the oven left what should have been fresh flavors dulled and muddled. And nori sure suffered from the dry heat.

Thirst quenchers: For the imbiber, a short list of wines by the glass and bottle; beer, including three Thai bottlings; and an impressive roster of specialty cocktails heavy on tropical ingredients, such as litchi and ginger. The usual soft drinks are available, along with Thai iced tea.

Extras: A kids' menu features tempura battered catfish, chicken fingers and chicken fried rice. Catch live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights.

Price range: Appetizers, $5-$8; salad and soups, $5-8; main courses, $7-$17; desserts, $5; drinks, $1.75-$12 (excluding wine).

Ratings key: 4 forks, don't miss it; 3 forks, one of the best; 2 forks, very good; 1 fork, good

Cheap Eats reviews restaurants where entrees are $13 or less. Reviews are based on anonymous visits by Tribune staff members; meals are paid for by the Tribune.

-Joe Gray