Green Cuisine: Spirit Elephant brings elevated plant-based fare to Winnetka, for Modern Luxury Magazine, November 2019

With the meteoric rise in popularity of Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, such that even major chains from White Castle to Hard Rock Cafe are jumping on the plant-based faux meat bandwagon, could Chicago’s North Shore be primed for its first vegan-chic sit down joint? Founder CD Young believes it is. 

I sat down with CD and her executive staff a few weeks before their targeted October opening to preview the menu. 

“We want to ‘wow’ people with how good plants can taste and we want to do it in an environment that they really enjoy,” said Young. 

Renan Lopes, Sprit’s Brazilian-born and classically-trained executive chef specializes in proteins. His Porto House Steak, therefore, a balsamic-marinated pan-seared Portobello mushroom served atop crispy polenta is not only succulent but carries the added benefit of being nutritionally well-balanced.

Conjuring an Eastern flair, Land (not Sea) Scallops fashioned from zucchini, are served on a bed of sweet potato puree alongside tangy pineapple chutney. 

And for dessert, the Blueberries & Cream cheesecake made of cashews and vegan cream cheese over a graham cracker crust presents a decadent and veritably guilt-free option. 

“When you eat one plant-based meal a day, the environmental impact is like saving 1000 gallons of water and 100 pounds of grain per meal,” said Tanner Johnson of Winnetka, development manager. The staff expects no dish to be over $20; libations $10. Cheers to that!

And on that note, spirits aspire to more than just the ethereal plain at Spirit Elephant as the inspired concoction, “Take Me for Pomegranate,” presents in the whimsy of every sip of pomegranate juice, bubbly Prosecco and dash of rosemary.

“To go out and eat a meal and be able to do something good for the world…it’s going to have a big impact,” said Dan Meyers of Highland Park, general manager.