Jean Banchet nominated Chef-Partner and “Master of Flame” John Manion has taken his experience in Argentina and bringing traditional flame-fired ingredients to Chicago’s El Che Bar, a steak-heavy resto-bar in the West Loop.
The brand new Sweetbread Toast is the perfect example of rich, meaty decadence. Chef Manion takes veal sweetbreads, an extremely popular item in Argentina, soaks them in milk before roasting them whole. After cooling, the creamy morsels are sliced, grilled to order in the restaurant’s 12ft hearth, then placed on toasted Publican Quality Bread’s Multigrain “1979″ bread dressed with rendered bone marrow. The dish is finished with 
chimichurri aioli, salsa criolla and seasonal produce such as heirloom tomatoes and arugula.
ABOUT EL CHE BAR:
El Che Bar, Chicago’s Argentine-influenced resto-bar, is Executive Chef/Partner John Manion’s homage to the steak heavy traditions of Argentina’s Asador. Located just beyond the West Loop’s famed “restaurant row”, El Che Bar opened in 2016 and has quickly built a reputation as Chicago’s go-to destination for beef, wine and live-fire cooking. A 12 ft. custom-built grill ignites a range of South American-tinged meats, seasonal vegetables, seafood and novel barrio-inflected bites to perfection. Chef Manion’s passion for Latin flavors imbues the spirited dishes and dramatic setting of the swanky 100-seat restaurant. Guests can feel the intensity of the open flame when dining at the chef’s counter for a 10-course meal. El Che Bar’s daily asado channels classic Argentine backyard barbecues with platters of rustic flame-finished grilled meats best paired with wines that emphasize the unique and rare reds of the region. El Che Bar’s remarkably simple and elevated food is complemented by a vibrant and exciting cocktail program directed by acclaimed bar talent Jacyara de Oliveira (Food & Wine: Rising Star, Jean Banchet: Best Mixologist, StarChef: Rising Stars) who focuses on Latin spirits and the drinking culture of South America. El Che Bar has earned a coveted three-star rating from the Chicago Tribune and was named in the “Top 50 Chicago Restaurants” by Chicago Tribune’s dining critic, Phil Vettel in February 2017. Located at 845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, visit elchebarchicago.com for more information.
