Fab Review: Cold Storage

Cold Storage is a seafood-focused restaurant and raw bar from the Boka Restaurant Group and B. Hospitality Co. The restaurant is connected to Swift & Sons and inspired by ice storage rooms in meatpacking plants.

Food Instagrammer, Lisette (@topchicagoeats), is obsessed with this place. She’s been going almost every week since the opening. She has even gone twice in one week. I told you…obsessed!

Here’s her review of Cold Storage…

{Ambiance}
“When you first walk inside the main foyer, Swift & Sons is straight ahead, but tucked away to the left is Cold Storage. The décor and feel to the restaurant lives up to its name as the restaurant is in a space that used to be a cold storage warehouse.

The space is small, but the seating is plentiful for everyone. There are high top tables perfect for a casual meal with friends.

Or, seating by the window if dining solo. I mean, it was named one of Infatuation’s Best Places to Dine Solo in Chicago.

If you’re looking for a more intimate dinner, there are a few booths with dim lighting on the opposite side of the restaurant.

A majority of the seating here, though, is at the large bar in the center of the restaurant.

{Food}
The menu is divided into the following sections; seafood towers, cold plates, warm plates, and sandwiches. The cold and warm plates are small, which is perfect for when you want to try a bunch of different things. For a more filling meal, I suggest one of their amazing sandwiches.

Uni
The uni is very fresh and delicious. They have whole sea urchins along with lobsters and other seafood on a display of ice behind the bar. The uni is served on ice and in the sea urchin shell. It has a unique briny flavor with a creamy texture, which some people may not like. I was also unsure of it the first time I tried it. However, the uni at Cold Storage has now made me a big fan.

Anchovies
I have always been hesitant to try anchovies because they usually have a very strong and salty taste. However, the dish at Cold Storage have a mild flavor and are not too salty. They are marinated with olive oil and roasted peppers, making them the perfect light and tasty snack.

Oysters
I have been to many oyster happy hours in the city, but in my opinion Cold Storage has one of the happiest hours! They shuck the oysters right in front of you if you sit at the bar. In addition to their happy hour oysters, they also have a few different types of oysters on rotation on the menu that is written on the mirrors behind the bar.

FAB TIP: The fresh oysters during happy hour are $1 and they also have $3 craft beers, Monday through Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Crispy Clam Roll
While the fresh seafood is a must here, you also can’t go wrong with one of their sandwiches. My favorite is the crispy clam roll with tzatziki sauce. This is great when you just want a quick, but tasty lunch.

Narwhal Sundae
While you may be full at the end of your meal with all the fresh seafood, you can’t leave without trying at least one of their desserts. They have several different sundaes to choose from, but the most well-known one is the Narwhal Sundae. You’re going to need to try this with at least a couple friends as it is an eight scoop sundae, with three different types of cake, bananas, cherries, an ice cream cone, and any other type of ice cream topping you can imagine. Ridiculously good!

Marshall Field Sundae
However, if you go by yourself the Narwhal Sundae may seem a little intimidating. They also have a few individual sundaes, which are just as delicious. My personal favorite is the Marshall Field Sundae, which has scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream (which is also included in the Narwhal Sundae) whipped cream, chocolate fudge drizzle, mint meltaways, a wafer stick, and topped with a cherry.

{Experience}
This is one of my favorite restaurants right now because not only is the seafood very fresh, but it is also reasonably priced. I love that the dishes are creative with different and unique flavors. I’ve been here many times and will definitely be coming back! It is the perfect place to go for different occasions, such as a casual lunch with friends, dinner with parents, or just to have a quick lunch alone.”

{Location}
Cold Storage
West Loop || 1000 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL || P: (312) 733-9420

{Price Range}
$$ ($11-$35)

{Fab Ratings: 4 Fabs}

I, too, have gone to Cold Storage and was very impressed with the freshness of the seafood. I especially loved the uni and daily whole fish special. And, of course I had to try the eight scoop ice cream sundae. It’s a must-try!

Have you been to Cold Storage? Tell us know what you think.

Don’t forget to follow Lisette on Instagram and Twitter! Check out her “Top 5 Brunch Spots” here.

Live the Fab Food Life,
Soo

Note: This meal was not complimentary. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the writer.