food and drink
He shuns anything trendy or noisy. I prefer pre-trendy or hardly known and I do agree with the latter, but ever since I read that the NYTimes' senior writer and globe trotting gourmand, the late R.W. Apple thought it was Chicago's best restaurant, I've been desperate to get there.
It was a perfect night. We'd just avoided a rain deluge at the Pritzker 
Pavilion in Milenium Park and Jo's was blissfully quiet but not empty. The decor is upscale casual yet pretty cool. My husband was on the prowl for something to complain about. I smiled at him sweetly.
I began with mussels, meaty and fresh even in a non "R" month and the excellent bread, yummy for soaking up the sauce. Then I had a crepe of mushrooms, ham, swiss chard and cheese, good but not to die for.
The boss had the plat du jour, Moroccan style couscous with many good additions. It was unlike the impromptu dinner consisting of just the plain grain sans anything else we'd enjoyed finger style many years ago in a (no kidding) Moroccan herdsman's home.
The menu is, of course pretty simple but still nothing I'd want to whip up myself at a moment's notice. There are lots of choices. The staff is savvy and the other diners pleasant looking. It's romantic at Jo's somehow without overt signs of romance. The bar looks even more dramatic than this photo.
If you've never tried onion soup gratinee, here's your chance. Next time I'll try the "famous shrimp bag". Ask your server for help with selections. Say, "I'm an adventurous eater" or "I want something really wonderful" or whatever.
I'm guessing there may be a crowd scene here fairly often so I'd advise calling ahead to guarantee the pleasant experience we had. Valet parking is $10 and worth it in this busy neighborhood. Brasserie Jo is at 59 W. Hubbard. 312.595.0800.
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