Crying Tiger, Opening October 14 in Chicago, Will Celebrate the Culinary Traditions of Southeast Asian Cuisine
Crying Tiger, the first collaboration between James Beard Award Finalist Chef Thai Dang (Michelin Bib Gourmand HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen) and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, will open on Tuesday, October 14 at 51 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago’s River North. The restaurant’s menu focuses on the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, as well as foods that Chef Dang and Managing Partner Amarit Dulyapaibul both loved growing up. Dang, who was born in Vietnam, started his Chicago culinary career at Lettuce’s Michelin-starred L2O and over the past decade has helmed the kitchens at some of Chicago’s top Vietnamese restaurants, including HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen. The idea of partnering on Crying Tiger evolved through Dang’s ongoing connection to Lettuce and Dulyapaibul, a restaurant operations veteran who grew up working in his family’s Thai restaurants.
The Crying Tiger team logged extensive travel together through Bangkok, London, Sydney, Vietnam and Hong Kong to source inspiration for the menu, which will feature shareable dishes that showcase Southeast Asia’s bold, intricate flavors including chilled and warm salads, homemade curries, whole fish dishes and more. The dessert menu from Netflix “School of Chocolate” winner and Pastry Chef Juan Gutierrez will showcase traditional flavors with modern techniques and balance the tingling spices of the savory offerings.
Beverage Director and Partner Kevin Beary (Three Dots and a Dash, The Bamboo Room and Gus’ Sip & Dip) created Crying Tiger’s drink menu, which features an equal number of cocktails and zero-proof beverages. Crying Tiger’s wine program, curated by Wine Director and Partner Richard Hanauer, features a list of more than 75 wines meant to compliment the depth of flavors in Dang’s Southeast Asian cuisine.
Crying Tiger is the second collaboration between Lettuce and London-based interior architecture and design studio David Collins Studio, which designed Tre Dita at The St. Regis Chicago, along with the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, and The Connaught Bar in London. Crying Tiger merges the energy of Southeast Asian night markets with Chicago’s industrial and architectural heritage, and features a 140-seat main dining room with an open kitchen, a front bar, winter garden for year-round indoor-outdoor dining, a sidewalk patio, and a 10-seat private dining room.
Crying Tiger is open Sunday – Thursday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Friday and Saturday 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM for dinner service. A to-be-named cocktail bar from Beary will debut later this year in the lower level as a standalone concept. For more information, follow Crying Tiger on Instagram or visit www.cryingtiger.com.