Vermilion

Vermilion, located at 10 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, was renowned for its innovative fusion of Indian and Latin American cuisines. Established in 2003, Vermilion offered a unique dining experience that blended bold flavors and culinary traditions from both cultures. The restaurant’s ambiance was characterized by a sleek and sensual space, featuring dramatic accents of lights, fire, art, and metal. The menu at Vermilion showcased a variety of signature dishes, including the Lobster Portuguese—a lobster tail stewed in Goan coconut gravy served with lemon rice—and the Tandoori Skirt Steak, a prime Angus cut marinated in Indian spices and accompanied by masala fries. The Chaat Bar featured Indian street fare such as Kolkata Streets, a mix of puffed rice, mango, and Chinese chili sauce, and Juhu Pani Puri, classic flour shells filled with potato-garbanzo stuffing and tamarind chutney. The beverage program offered botanic “Herb & Spice” cocktails and an “Ode to Chicago” cocktail series, with drinks like the Pani Puri Margarita and the Bollywood Item Number. Vermilion was also recognized for its commitment to women’s leadership, being a woman-led establishment and the founder of Let’s Talk Womxn, an action movement of over 900 women restaurateurs across 15 cities. The restaurant’s chefs participated in culinary competitions such as Iron Chef and Top Chef, and Vermilion received accolades from publications like Travel & Leisure, Bon Appétit, Esquire, and Chicago Magazine