Brasero
In Residence
John Manion
Chef
- 01CuisineWood-Fired Latin American
- 02CityChicago, United States
- 03RecognitionJames Beard Award
John Manion's Live-Fire Kitchen
At Brasero, John Manion applies live-fire cooking to a menu shaped by South American flavors and memories of childhood in São Paulo. The West Town restaurant opened in February 2024, but the menu is seasonal; its construction is more useful than any fixed list of dishes.
Fire across ingredients
The current menu places citrus-garlic butter and cashew-plantain crumble on grilled oysters, cooks sweet potato over coals, and offers picanha among the steaks. Brazilian fried chicken and a braised pork shank with feijoada risotto show that the kitchen's South American references extend beyond the grill. Wagyu beef tartare provides a raw counterpoint.
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The wider table
Brasero presents its food as shareable and advertises a wine list with 100 South American bottles under $100. The restaurant is at 1709 W Chicago Avenue and accepts walk-ins when space permits, though it recommends reservations. Consult the current menu for specific dishes and prices.
Questions
Frequently asked
What kind of food does Brasero serve?
Chef John Manion's West Town restaurant cooks South American-inspired dishes over an open flame, from grilled seafood to steaks and Brazilian fried chicken.
Can I walk in at Brasero?
Brasero accepts walk-ins when space is available, but recommends reserving a table; reservations are offered through OpenTable.
Where is Brasero?
Brasero is at 1709 W Chicago Avenue in Chicago's West Town neighborhood.
The field
How it compares
| Place | Awards | Cuisine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brasero | James Beard | Wood-Fired Latin American | West Town, $$$$ |
| Alinea | Michelin 3 Stars, 50 Best | Avant-Garde Molecular Gastronomy | Chicago |
| Asador Bastian | · | Basque-Inspired Steakhouse | Chicago |
| Ever | Michelin 2 Stars | Modern American Fine Dining | Chicago |
| Kumiko | · | Japanese Dining Bar | Chicago |
| Oriole | Michelin 2 Stars | Modern French-Japanese Tasting Menu | Chicago |
| Smyth | Michelin 3 Stars, 50 Best | Modern American Tasting Menu | Chicago |
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The Sunday email
Read about the people behind restaurants like Brasero in the Sunday email.
Every Sunday we send a lead story and up to four more about the chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and hoteliers behind the restaurants, bars, wineries and hotels we cover.
Recent stories
Free. One email a week, and you can unsubscribe from any issue.