LAKEVIEW — Fresh from the farm doesn't get much fresher than a new eatery in south Lakeview.
Farm Bar opened Monday night in the former Wellington's Tavern at 1300 W. Wellington Ave. The Midwestern-focused tavern prides itself on regionally sourced ingredients from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The 60-seat restaurant celebrates its roots with burgers named for each state; the Illinois "Three Sisters," for example, is topped with 10-bean relish, marinated autumn squash, popcorn and barbecue sauce on a brioche bun.
The "four-state footprint" is something the Farmheads Group incorporates into the two Farmhouse restaurants already open in River North and Evanston. Farmheads sources many of its ingredients from its own farm in Mineral Point, Wis. Since Farmheads acquired it in 2012, Brown Dog Farm has grown to encompass 140 fruit trees and a 12-hive bee apiary.
Owners announced the plans for Farm Bar in April after spending two years looking for an ideal location, co-owner T.J. Callahan said.
"We were looking for the right location for this intensely neighborhood-focused version of Farmhouse. We really focus on community support and supporting green charities and philanthropies in our neighborhood communities," Callahan said at the time.
Midwestern craft beers, wines, cocktails and Farmheads' own ciders will be available at the bar.
The new tavern kept its original tin ceiling and hardwood floors, while a bar top made from Brown Dog farm's own black walnut wood is a centerpiece in the white-washed restaurant.
Executive chef Eric Mansavage and chef de cuisine Juan Arias created a seasonal menu for the launch featuring items prepared fresh from scratch daily.
Along with the five burgers ($13-$16), Farm Bar has seasonal sandwiches like an open-faced meatloaf sandwich drenched in rosemary gravy ($14) and a beer-battered trout melt ($13).
Tavern snacks include spicy goat sausage poutine ($12), roasted beetroot ($10) and homemade chicken soup ($6). Side dishes like baked mac 'n' cheese ($6-$10) and desserts like dark chocolate caramel bread pudding ($6) round out the menu.
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