Harvest Moon – Lounging with Funk and Good Food
By Natalie Rose Hilvert
This Tuesday, after a long day of work in the Loop, I met a friend in West Town for dinner at the brand-new restaurant, Harvest Moon. Harvest Moon is one of the newest swanky spots for upscale locally-sourced bites and crafty cocktails on West Division Street.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into Harvest Moon was the unique atmosphere. The restaurant features funky seating and exquisite murals, setting the tone for a fun night. Since we arrived late on a Tuesday night, we had our choice of seating, and I was able to sit in a sofa made for three.
I started out with the Hipisco Sour – Kappa Pisco. Rosemary honey, lemon juice, hibiscus water and bitters. I was worried that the drink would be too sweet, but it was the perfect balance between fruity and tart. The cocktail was elegantly topped with whipped egg white and garnish, making a beautiful and Instagram-worthy drink. Our waitress recommended the Pretzel Bites as an appetizer, so we gave them a try. Out of the two dipping sauces, the mustard was superior. The mustard complimented the salty and savory pretzels while the melted cheddar cheese was not very flavorful.
For my entrée, I opted for the Braised Short Rib, which was just as tender as it was flavorful. The meat simply fell off the bone and melted on the tongue. It paired well with the Yukon parsnip mash and the balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts as a nice, sweet touch. The dish was topped off with crispy onions for a little crunch. This was the first time I’ve ever had a meal and was too full for dessert!
Unfortunately, we were not in the restaurant during a Friday or Saturday, when they have live music. I will absolutely return to Harvest Moon on a weekend night or on a morning for my favorite meal – brunch!
Harvest Moon is open Tuesday through Friday, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to midnight.