2D RESTAURANT

2D RESTAURANT

BY MADELINE MAHONEY PHOTOS BY KARINA MAK

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>> DISHES TO TRY

FRESH STRAWBERRY DONUT PDRÑ COLADA DONUT

If the black and white cartoon exterior doesn’t give it away, you might recognize 2d Restaurant by the long line stretching outside their front doors– at least that was the case on the Saturday morning that we paid a visit. The Instagram-famous eatery opened earlier this year and has been busy ever since. Between their signature Vietnamese-style coffee, the Asian fusion chicken dishes which take inspiration from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and the pon de ring donuts which originate from Japan, 2d restaurant offers options you’ll have trouble finding elsewhere in Chicago. Walking in, visitors are instantly immersed into a fully two-dimensional, illusory dreamscape– every corner is filled with black and white comic-style illustrations of various Parisian scenes that open up the quaint space, making this hand-drawn cafe the first of its kind in the US. All of the objects inside are also made to sport a two-dimensional and Parisian aesthetic, from the furniture and decor down to even the takeout bags. Chef Kevin Yu and his wife, local interior designer Vanessa Vu, came up with this vision after being inspired by the picturesque scenes from the famous Netflix show Emily in Paris. The restaurant offers a reservation package, which includes a specialty beverage alongside your choice of either a half dozen donuts or a chicken entrée plus a single donut. This also allowed us to be seated right away, and a server came over to take our order shortly after. At $26 per person, a reservation isn’t cheap, but highly recommended if you want to visit on the busy weekends. As part of the reservation,

a server will take a polaroid picture that you can take home as a souvenir. Considering the visual component is much of the appeal of the restaurant, the polaroid picture was an appreciated detail. We ordered two drinks– a Crème Brûlée Brown Sugar Phin Latte and a Lemon Blossom Fizz. Phin refers to a certain type of filter used in Vietnam that creates a slow drip, leading to a more concentrated coffee. The latte had a thick layer of foam, though I wouldn’t say it was caramelized, and the crème brûlée flavor was apparent but subtle. The lemon blossom fizz is a sparkling beverage with mint, lemon, and butterfly pea tea which gives the drink a beautiful, bright purple color. The acidity and brightness of the lemon blossom fizz perfectly complemented the sweetness of our pon de ring donuts. Pon de ring donuts are notable for their bubble ring shape and springy texture. We ordered one of each flavor: S’mores, PDRñ Colada, Matcha Dream, Strawberry Sprinkle, Chocolate Churro, Berry Easter, and the specialty flavor, Fresh Strawberry. Overall, with a soft texture as delicate as its appearance, the pon de ring donuts did not disappoint. The Fresh Strawberry donut stood out above the rest for its luxurious toppings: fresh strawberries served on top of fluffy whipped frosting with a powdered sugar finish. The PDRñ Colada also impressed us with its crisp, acidic glaze and fragrant coconut flakes. The matcha flavor certainly came through in the Matcha Dream donut, and the almond slivers added a nice crunch.

The Strawberry Sprinkle was a simple, classic option. As for both the Chocolate Churro and S’mores donuts, the flavors felt too subtle for my taste making them a bit bland. Finally, the seasonal Berry Easter donut fell short of our expectations for a holiday specialty menu item because of its overly artificial flavor. We ended our menu journey with the main course, the Hot Rooster Tenda, boneless fried chicken served on top of a bed of house fries with coleslaw; this dish was both moist and flavorful. The fried chicken certainly delivered a spicy punch as they were covered in hot sauce. Its portion was generous, so consider splitting, especially if you’ve ordered donuts as well. Overall, 2d Restaurant was a novel and enjoyable experience. The main attraction is the space itself, which was crowded but held a delightful charm you won’t find elsewhere. If you’re willing to wait your turn, you can definitely get Instagram-worthy shots here. The menu items were unique and tasty– albeit a little expensive. I’m certain I’ll be revisiting for another pon de ring donut in the future!

REVIEW