Fine Dining for the Urban Professional
If truth can be found in the old saying, “you are what you eat,” then Blu 47 certainly articulates sophistication and style, uh, in charcoal hued stilettos. Located across the street from the new Harold Washington Cultural Center, this chic beacon of fine-dining serves as an ornament to the growing Bronzeville community. Neighbor to art galleries and star attractions such as the Spoken Word CafÃ?©, Blu 47 has proven to attract the area’s most prestigious professional crowd.
The Blu Experience
When entering Blu 47 on a brisk January evening, I was greeted by polite voices and smiling faces that marked my 6:00 reservation and escorted me inside to the restaurant’s lounge area to await the arrival of the remaining pair that completed my party. During my 10 minute delay, I was able to gain an appreciation for Blu 47’s soothing atmosphere and contemporary dÃ?©cor. While only separated from the dining area by two large rectangular archways, the lounge opens to the social chatter among friends while settled onto the lap of one of the velvet backed couches that lined the north and south walls. Adding to the mood seducing ambience were curvilinear white cloth light fixtures that hung above the small social area. Across the room, a window rested above the chaise lounges opening to a view of the hanging art of Blu 47’s neighboring gallery, Steele
Life Art Gallery. As I sat at the elevated bar-style black and chrome table in the center of the room, I was greeted again by a friendly hostess, Jacky, who was attentive to my need for cocktails or appetizers as I waited.
Finally, arriving ‘on time’ according to the standards of the women who can not arrive fashionably without being late, my party arrived in full. After being escorted to table 31, my girlfriends and I went into our “you look so fabulous” ritual, while ordering our drinks. I had the signature Blu 47 Martini, a mix of pineapple juice, Malibu Rum, and Bacardi Light Rum, my friend had the chocolate martini with white and dark chocolate swirled into a fine mix.
Among our menu items were Chicken Lollipops with jalapeno dipping sauce, Shrimp Dejonghe, and the French inspired Grilled Vegetable Napoleon. We ordered the Grilled Pork Chops with Coconut Rum and Carmelized Pineapple Sauce, the Chicken Marsala for me, and the chef’s signature dish: Bayou Catfish with Creole Beurre Blanc. On a hemispherical bowl arrived three meals, almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Seemingly unable to control the taps of our feet to the contemporary jazz overtones that welcomed the room’s dimly lit blue ascents; we unapologetically dug into our meals while taking pride in our ability to pin-point the actual verses to the instrumental renditions of some of our favorite R&B and hip hop classics.
Blu’s Company
Designed and created to serve as an upscale restaurant lounge that marries the cocktail and lounge experience with the fine dining that is not often found on Chicago’s South Side, Blu 47 provides an unique experience. Named for its Blues/jazz influence and location of 47th street, Blu 47 offers contemporary American cuisines coupled with the enjoyment of live music on Thursdays. Blu 47 owner Darryl Petty, who also owns the modish Crocodile Lounge, launched his new restaurant concept at 4655 S. Martin Luther King Drive in October 2004 and in no time, the local professional crowd caught on. Rather meeting with friends during Blu 47’s popular Sunday Brunch hours or carousing with coworkers for dinner, Blu 47 has successfully provided the class and taste of Chicago’s Downtown right in your backyard.
After finishing my Tiramisu, a delectable Italian sweet rested and topped with chocolate, my party of three very different young professional women left Blu 47 of all its many attributes with one common opinion: Blu 47 is taste in flavor and in style – for the fashionable. With reservations available -for the late.
