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Stir: Barton G. the Restaurant brings outrageous plating to Chicago

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

February 15, 2019

1 Min Read
Barton G. the Restaurant
Barton G. the Restaurant

At Barton G. the Restaurant — which opened its third location in Chicago earlier this year — over-the-top theatrical presentation is just as important as the food itself.

The intergalactic Spaceship Shortribs were inspired by the movie E.T., restaurant founder Barton G. Weiss said. The dish arrives to the table in a mothership made of customized metalwork. When servers open the “spacecraft” by hand, a cloud of steam clears to reveal the slow-cooked short ribs in red wine with mashed potatoes, heirloom carrots and mixed mushrooms.

Photo: Barton G. the Restaurant

barton-g-restaurant-spaceship-vertical_1.pngAdditionally, at the newest Barton G., you’ll find Chicago-inspired pieces of edible artwork like the sherry-laced lobster Cocktail Bisque, which arrives in a cocktail shaker, and upscale versions of Chicago dogs called Windy Dogs made with ingredients like smoked salmon and quail egg. There are also house-made “Lobster Pop-Tarts.” The restaurant’s average check is about $80 to $100 per person.    

Calling Barton G. “the most Instagrammed restaurant in the world,” the Miami-based restaurant group began life as a design company and now presents a tableside staging of edible storytelling to each customer, with the menu shifting per location.

The 6,000-square-foot Chicago unit opened in January and joins sister restaurants in Miami and Los Angeles.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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