Port Union
welcome to Port Union
About us
Modern American cuisine with a bar-forward approach-globally inspired dishes, craft cocktails, and a welcoming space for drinks, dinner, and everything in between.
Port Union is designed as a lively neighborhood gathering place where guests can settle in for dinner, cocktails, or an evening at the bar. The restaurant's menu reflects Chef Rodolfo Cuadros' view of American cuisine as a constantly evolving conversation shaped by generations of immigrant cooks. Familiar dishes are reinterpreted through global techniques and flavors, reflecting the layered traditions that have long defined American cooking. The menu at Port Union centers on modern American cooking built around recognizable dishes executed with care.Starters include larb-style beef tenderloin tartare with toasted rice powder and herbs, Baja shrimp cocktail with tomato-chili sauce and avocado, and wagyu meatballs served with forest mushroom gravy. Main dishes range from crispy pork schnitzel with green curry aioli and napa cabbage to steak frites with shio-koji picanha and au poivre sauce and pan-seared salmon with brown butter and capers. The Union burger, topped with American cheese on a sesame brioche bun, anchors the menu as a classic neighborhood staple. Vegetarian dishes remain an important part of the menu in recognition of Bloom's legacy, including banana blossom cake with preserved lemon remoulade and mushroom risotto finished with parmesan and herbs.
The bar is a cornerstone of Port Union. Rather than novelty-driven drinks, the beverage program focuses on timeless cocktails executed with precision. Guests will find a concise list of martinis, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Sazeracs, and classic highballs, alongside a curated wine list and approachable beer selection. The intention is simple: a bar where cocktails are made consistently well and guests feel comfortable ordering their favorites.
The dining room has been redesigned to evoke the feeling of an established neighborhood restaurant rather than a newly built concept. Warm woods, brass accents, upholstered banquettes, soft lighting, and a prominent central bar create an intimate space intended for both dining and lingering over drinks. Located along Milwaukee Avenue, one of Chicago's historic corridors connecting multiple neighborhoods, Port Union sits at the crossroads of Wicker Park and Bucktown, an area known for its vibrant restaurant and cocktail culture. Port Union will be located at 1559 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.