We like to think John Manion was a daredevil in a past life—maybe it's because he plays with fire for a living at his celebrated West Loop restaurants, El Che Steakhouse & Bar and La Sirena Clandestina. Manion's cooking is a veritable love letter to his travels through South America, with special attention paid to the cuisines of Argentina and Brazil. (Yeah, this is the place to come when empanada and chimichurri cravings strike.) The centerpiece of his eatery is a red-hot, wood-burning stove, and anything that touches those flames is sure to be dynamite.
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Grilled oysters
Sweet corn aioli, pimenton hot sauce, potato crumble
Empanadas
Kale and gruyere, hot sauce aioli
Charred broccolini
Chimichurri ranch, salsa criolla, crispy shallot
Porteño poutine
Fries, provolone, dada sauce, chimichurri, chimichurri ranch, green onions
El Gallo sandwich
Grilled chicken thigh, giardiniera, hot sauce aioli, broccolini slaw
La Sirena kale salad
Pepitas, cotija cheese, radishes, poblano green goddess
Pulled pork sliders (2)
Black bean hummus, crispy shallots, piri piri slaw, potato bun
Maximo beef rib
Charred salsa verde, horseradish sweet potatoes (feeds two)