Just when you thought you’d take a break from frites and beer for the New Year, Little Bear, the Belgian-inspired pub from chef Andre Guerrero and Surly Goat’s Ryan Sweeney, will debut in the Arts District next Friday, January 6. Taking over the former Royal Clayton’s spot directly across from Church & State–we see a moules frites-off in the near future–the space has been lightened and brightened but is still huge and high-ceilinged, the kind of place you’ll want to toss back a few Belgian ales and a Liège waffle or two. Guerrero tells us the beer list will “blow people’s minds,” all curated by Sweeney who has a knack for pulling strings to get the hardest-to-find kegs and bottles, heavy on the Belgians and domestics made in the same style. The menu is a mix of Belgian specialties and American pub food, from pork belly gougeres sliders to waterzooi. But that’s just a taste. Take a peek at the full menu, next.
STARTERS
Tomato Soup, grill cheese 7
Mushrooms and savory cake, crimini, oyster, porcini mushrooms, cream, truffle oil, Reggiano 8
Moules Frites, mussels, shallot, wine broth, cream, tarragon, Belgian Fries, aioli 12
Krokets, roasted butternut squash, parmesan cheese, balsamic emulsion 6
House Smoked Salmon, grilled toast, onion, caper, lemon 12
Belgian fries, garlic aioli 5
Gougere, pork belly, mustard sauce, pickled red onions, mesclun 10
Gougere, confit duck, dry cherry chutney, gruyere cheese, frisee 10
Gougere, fried oysters, crispy bacon, tartar sauce & arugula 10
SALADS
Bibb lettuce, chopped egg, avocado, crisp bacon, lemon vinaigrette 9
Endive Salad, Roquefort cheese, arugula, roasted shallots, farmer apples, roasted walnuts, sherry vinaigrette 9
Liege Salad, haricots verts, fingerling potatoes, frisee breakfast radish, parsley, pancetta, red wine vinegar 9
Organic Mixed Greens, cherry tomatoes, red wine vinaigrette 6
SANDWICHES
Grilled Cheese bacon, gruyere, onion marmalade 10
Grilled Cheese brisket, ale braised brisket, smoked maasdam cheese, arugula, crispy onions 12
Grilled Cheese smoked salmon, cream cheese, caper and shallot relish 12
Grilled Cheese stilton, apples, stilton cheese, port wine marmalade, walnuts 10
Burger, grass feed beef, mushrooms, truffle aioli, Roquefort cheese, crispy onions, arugula, cherry gastrique 15
Farro Burger: mushrooms, peppers and onions, roasted red peppers, red beans, roasted carrots. Served with bibb lettuce, roasted pepper tofu aioli and avocado 12
MAIN COURSE
Smoked wild boar sausage, roasted sweet potatoes, black kale, pearl onions, mustard sauce 16
Carbonnade de Flamande, ale braised shortrib, turnip mash, sautéed spinach 16
Waterzooi, chicken stew with light cream, mushroom quenelles 16
Potato Ravioli, braised endive, mushroom, leeks, brown butter, mint 14
Roast Chicken, boneless half chicken, braised Brussels, fingerling potatoes, salsa verde 16
Duck Confit, dry cherry chutney, kale, farro risotto, kriek jus 19
Hanger Steak, hanger steak, sauce espagnole, green beans, baby carrots and pearl onions, 19
Cassoulet, white beans, pork belly, confit duck, spicy sausage, smoked slab bacon, duck breast served with grilled bread 18
Grilled smoked salmon root vegetable brunoise, beluga lentils, lemon and onion soubise 20
Little Bear, 1855 S. Industrial St., Downtown, 213-622-8100
