Bambola, a NEW international cocktail party
On Thursday, March 23, we’re excited to debut a new dining experience of flavorful shared plates with Asian and European influences that complement the innovative and transportative cocktails, natural wines, and spirit-free beverages. All set in one of Chicago’s most beautiful bar and dining rooms, boasting one of the largest island bars in the West Loop.
Exploring the shared cultural heritage that spans from Asia to Europe, Bambola offers an aesthetic and culinary journey for the senses. Turkish, Persian and Indian cuisines play a central role in Bambola’s new menu as these three countries dominate the expedition from East to West. Adding complexity and showmanship to the dishes are the oft celebrated, internationally recognized cuisines of Italy, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Greece.
Now helmed by Bonhomme’s Michelin-starred culinary team of Executive Chef Marcos Campos, Executive Pastry Chef Shannah Primiano and Culinary Director Erwin Mallet, the new streamlined menu is designed for sharing over cocktails and conversation, debuting a Mezze feature of starters available a la carte or in an order of four. Dishes include Szechuan Cucumbers with Citrus Whipped Tofu, Garlic Chili Crisp, Sesame, Smoked Lamb Meatballs with Turmeric and Cilantro, Bodrum Gambilya Hummus with Sumac Cured Onions, Confit Fava Beans and Antalya Bean Salad with Tahini Labneh, Roasted Spaghetti Squash, all complemented by Simit, a housemade Sesame Seed Turkish Bagel for sharing
Continue to see the influences of cuisines from China, Thailand, Persia, Italy and beyond through new dishes from the garden, sea and pasture including Pad Kee Mao with Seasonal Vegetables and Thai Basil, Chilled Octopus Salad with Aegean Herbs, Walnut Tarator, Charred Lemon, Black Tahini, Eggplant Parmigiana with Smoked Tomato Sauce, Imported Mozzarella, Lobster Gnocchi with Miso Butter, Sous Vide Egg, and a Thai Basil Persian Biryani showcasing Crispy Saffron Basmati, Medjool Dates and Smoked Chicken Curry. The menu also features large-format specials including a Dry Aged Tea-Brined Duck served with Hua Jan Scallions Buns, a Whole Branzino served with Mochi Pancakes, Mandarin Sweet Chili and Pickled Sprouts and a Fire-Roasted Suckling Pig with Apricot Jam and Fennel Salad.
The bright, bold flavors from the kitchen all play harmoniously with Bambola’s cocktail and spirit-free beverage program. Created by Bonhomme Hospitality’s award-winning beverage team, led by industry vanguard and partner Brian Sturgulewski, the menu celebrates modern beverages inspired by timeless ingredients shared along the Silk Road. Much like the blending of cultures along the trade routes, global spirits and complimentary spices and ingredients are used to express local Silk Road traditions and beverages in a way that is unique to Bambola. The wine list transports guests to some of the most exciting regions of the planet through the lens of Wine Director Colin Hofer’s favorite iconoclastic and natural winemakers of the moment. The team aims to tell these winemakers’ stories while gently urging guests to explore regions and styles that fall outside of “typical wine” parameters.
One of the more striking bars and dining rooms in Chicago, Bambola is warmly illuminated with one-of-a-kind chandeliers from the masters of hand-blown glass in Milan and Venice and filled with furnishings and textiles from some of the most exciting designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Popham Design’s dramatic handmade cement tiles, museum-quality 18th and 19th century antiquities, and rare collectibles from China, Thailand, Burma, Pakistan and India in collaboration with Doug Van Tress and Chauwarin Tuntisak of The Golden Triangle.