Paleo Porn

Steamy Paleo Recipes

  • 
  • Start Here
    • New Here?
    • The History of Paleo Porn
    • Join the Paleo Porn Family
    • Meet Marla
    • Is It Paleo?
      • Is Quinoa Paleo?
      • Are Chia Seeds Paleo?
      • Are Pickles Paleo?
      • Is Sunflower Oil Paleo?
      • Is Cocoa Powder Paleo?
      • All Is It Paleo? Answers
    • Paleo-Friendly Restaurants
      • 100% Paleo
        • Picnik Austin (Austin, TX)
        • mmm…COFFEE! (Denver, CO)
      • Austin, TX
      • Chicago, IL
      • Denver, CO
      • Miami, FL
      • Nashville, TN
      • New York, NY
      • San Francisco, CA
    • Resources
    • Paleo Personal Care
    • How to Start a Food Blog
  • Recipes
    • Popular
      • Granola Bars
      • Baked Cauliflower Casserole
      • Cauliflower Garlic Mash
      • Pork Chops and Apples
      • Breakfast Casserole
      • Meatza
      • Bison Bacon Meatloaf
      • Ground Beef Stir Fry
      • Paleo Tortillas
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
  • Starr Fitness
  • Shop
    • Pigskin Paleo: Game Day Recipes
    • Paleo Porn T-Shirts
  • Coaching
  • 
Featured by As seen on

Paleo Porn

  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Starr Fitness
  • Our Cookbook
  • Resources
  • How to Start a Food Blog
  • Is It Paleo?
  • Paleo Restaurants
  • Cooking Coaching: Learn how to cook with real food

Paleo Friendly Restaurant: Sepia (Chicago)

As much art is involved in the food preparation at Sepia Chicago as organic, paleo friendly food. by Anthony Apostol, updated December 22, 2014 Posted on March 23, 2014

Sepia Chicago
Anthony Apostol
Anthony Apostol is the resident Chicago Paleo Restaurant Reviewer here at Paleo Porn and creator of the Fn Bar, the Paleo fruit and nut bar that's the best f'n bar we've ever tasted.

If you have been to an art museum or a classy art gallery, then you can relate to both the obvious skill and beauty in some of the pieces and know that there are some that you just don’t understand. That is, until you do. That’s how I felt when I dined at Sepia.

Sepia

123 N Jefferson Ave, Chicago, IL 60661

Restaurant Rating
Price $$$$
Paleo Rating
Paleo Restaurant Rating Scale

Restaurant Rating: How good is it? On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best we've ever had), how good is the restaurant, no matter if it's paleo or not.

Paleo Rating: On a scale of 1-5 (5 being paleo perfection), how paleo is it? A 5 star restaurant will have grass-fed and pasture raised meats, local, organic produce and no peanut oil in sight.

Set the Mood

The decor was similar to an upscale and modern (1950’s) art gallery with exquisite photo prints and purposeful lighting. The walls evoked a warm feeling and were a perfect canvas to the artwork. The ambiance was simply delightful. The bar is made from marble and it was absolutely gorgeous!

Sepia Chicago

Since our environment was a little elitist, I figured why not start with something I would consider an amuse bouche, the charcuterie plate.

Sepia Chicago

This plate was a bit disorganized until I realized why the pairings were made. The first part of the dish was in a ramekin and was not as I expected for a spread. The mousse was so light and creamy and was made to be used as a spread, but it was “sealed” with a layer of hardened duck fat. What an amazing base to a luxurious shell. So rich and hearty, it melts in your mouth like whipped cream. That was the centerpiece and it was my first bite. That just wasn’t fair to it’s counterparts. They just couldn’t keep up. My recommendation is to sample the meats first as a means to build up to the mousse.

Sepia Chicago

The cobia was complex and full of intensity. Almost like a Picasso in his later years. The salinity was blended very well with acidity and herbal zest. Intense flavors that worked well together were then highlighted with saffron. This addition worked amazingly well and brought about this fish’s unique profile. Tasty, but not quite a meal.

Then there is the salad. Similar to how a photo of a simple landscape can make people pause, this salad was what I believe a salad aspires to be. The salad’s fresh field greens are tossed in a light vinaigrette to enhance, not drown, the true flavors of the fresh greens. Although this didn’t need anything else to make me happy, the chef brightened up the composition with some saltiness, provided by cheese, and the finishing touch of marcona almonds. Bitter, nutty, sweet, and a hint of licorice at just the right times, just enough to kick up the flavor and make this salad a tasty treat.

Sepia Chicago

All of these appetizers were just teasers to the main meal. My mouth watered the moment our main dish was presented. I took a bite and almost required a bib. That’s not acceptable at a place like this, but the food just makes you consider wearing one. That’s what the pastrami can do for, or to you, depending how you look at it.

Like a butter made of meat, the pastrami’s superb fats gave rise to the tanginess of the sauerkraut. But this dish isn’t simple like comfort food. Not in the least. It needs to be interesting, so it’s topped with a spicy mustard seed sauce that made the tanginess bite you back!

At this point I was expecting to see the main event, the showstopper, the final piece of this night. You’re thinking that after all this, it has to be epic, right!? It wasn’t. It was pedestrian. Albeit a delicious one, it just didn’t live up to the standards that the previous dishes provided. The beef was cooked to a perfect medium rare so it’s grass-fed protein-ness was in full effect. It really was what every Midwesterner longs for. A true and worthy meat and potatoes dish with a potent au jus that kicks up the flavor of beef and some sweet preserves to round out the tasty bite.

Sepia Chicago

Since the beef was not spectacular, I had to try some more dishes, so out came the fish. I had finally found the star of Sepia. It’s not the typical fried then baked kind, no no. It’s oil poached which gives it a soft texture and preserves its moisture. Almost like it swam into your plate. I’m starting to get impressionist here, but that’s the best example I could give without making you believe I wasn’t on an LSD trip. This fish really was wonderful enough on its own without even a hint of spice, but they know how to get more out of it. They dressed it with shrimp to enhance the sea flavors and incorporated trumpet mushrooms to bring it to the beach and slowly walk you deep onto the the land.

Sepia Chicago

Then there is the random art piece that just worked for you. It wasn’t the allure that drew me but the uniqueness of the ingredients. What I’m referring to are the Brussels sprouts. I could have enjoyed a little less salt, but the pistachios added a wonderful nuttiness and crunchy texture that elevated this dish. Then there was the smoked butter. What a nice touch! All of these components together are now the way I want my Brussels sprouts. Bittersweet, nutty, salty and creamy with that hint of smoke. Go there just for this. It is worth it.

Sepia Chicago

Sepia is perfect for a romantic dinner or for someone you would like to impress. Their flavor combinations along with their support for local sustainably raised ingredients (that are also organic!) make for a delightful dining experience.

If you’re interested in more paleo friendly restaurants or have a specific restaurant request let us know!

Sepia

123 N Jefferson Ave, Chicago, IL 60661

Restaurant Rating
Price $$$$
Paleo Rating
Paleo Restaurant Rating Scale

Restaurant Rating: How good is it? On a scale of 1-5 (5 being the best we've ever had), how good is the restaurant, no matter if it's paleo or not.

Paleo Rating: On a scale of 1-5 (5 being paleo perfection), how paleo is it? A 5 star restaurant will have grass-fed and pasture raised meats, local, organic produce and no peanut oil in sight.

Our Supportive Family


Bringing you three new paleo recipes each week is no small investment of time and money, but we love it. If you also love Paleo Porn please consider a recurring monthly donation. For less than a single origin pour over you can help us continue to keep Paleo Porn 100% free.

Monthly Donation

$3 / month
$7 / month

Start Now

One-Time Donation

You can also become a one-time supporter with a single donation:

Give Now

About the Author Anthony Apostol

Anthony Apostol is the resident Chicago Paleo Restaurant Reviewer here at Paleo Porn and creator of the Fn Bar, the Paleo fruit and nut bar that's the best f'n bar we've ever tasted.

Week of Zen
My Meditation Course

Week of Zen is a guided meditation course that can easily be implemented into your everyday life practice. No experience necessary.

Are you ready to feel calm, creative, connected, and conscious? Begin your Week of Zen today at https://weekofzen.com/

Our Documentary
Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things is NOW streaming on Netflix! You can watch Minimalism on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vimeo & DVD. Details Here
/PaleoPorn 20K+
@PaleoPorn 4K+
@PaleoPorn 1K+
/PaleoPornTV
Paleo MX: Authentic Mexican Recipes
Authentic Mexican Recipes!

Our next cookbook, Paleo MX: Authentic Mexican Recipes is coming this Summer!

Tell Me More!

Paleo Burger Bar

Gluten-free, grain-free American-style fast food and diner staples

Tell Me More!

Paleo Porn Family

Join over 18,000 in The Family!

Family Members have early access to everything Paleo Porn and get one weekly email. But never fear, spam's not paleo!

  • Start Here
  • Paleo Recipes
  • Paleo Food List
  • Starr Fitness
  • Our Cookbook
  • Paleo Restaurants
  • Resources
  • About
  • Disclosure
SPYR
Copyright © 2023 SPYR
Paleo Porn® is a registered trademark of SPYR Media, LLC
Paleo Porn is powered by Bluehost