Browntrout, Chicago

Sean Sanders found the inspiration for his casual, yet refined New American eatery in a cottage beside New Zealand's Lake Wanaka. While honeymooning with his wife, Nadia, the newlyweds hooked a brown trout from the lake's waters and transformed the fish into a meal by scrounging for nearby ingredients: picking verdant English peas, plucking walnuts right off the trees, and uprooting shallots and potatoes from the ground. The meal blossomed into a concept when Sean and Nadia realized that they could base an entire restaurant around local, ethically sourced ingredients after they returned home to Chicago. _Organic_ and _sustainable_ aren't just buzzwords at Browntrout. All of the seafood comes from natural waters or sustainable farms, local farmers grow almost all produce, meats come from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals, and the restaurant even grows its own herbs in the building's rooftop garden. For Chef Sanders, seeking out ingredients from local farmers means investing in the health of the regional economy and creating a sustainable culinary community. With so many sources and farms to choose from, Sanders’s menu evolves constantly, incorporating the freshest catches and arrivals into every dish. Refined touches such as horseradish crème fraîche and black garlic vinaigrette help elevate a grilled cut of hanger steak, though the chefs aim to spotlight the simplicity of quality ingredients and mindful preparation whenever possible. David Tamarkin from [_Time Out Chicago_](http://gr.pn/110Qk78) heaped praise on one particular dish of cured trout, calling it, "as delicious as any cured fish I’ve ever had." The dining room's warm earth tones and leafy ferns complement the menu's unwavering commitment to the land while still creating a casual ambiance. Dark wooden tables border the mocha-brown and rose-red walls and a long, blond wooden table occupies the center of the room, lending a communal spirit to the space. [_Chicago_ magazine](http://gr.pn/17EBSa0) lauded the home-style environment, saying that, "a meal at this cozy spot is as relaxing as dinner at a friend’s house."