Nic & Junior’s promises a unique blend of Brazilian and Italian cuisines in a cozy atmosphere.
Chicago is set to welcome a new dining destination, Nic & Junior’s, by James Beard-recognized Chef Junior Borges. This upscale restaurant, embracing the flavors of Brazil, will offer diners a unique culinary experience that blends African and Brazilian cuisines. With a six-course prix fixe menu and plans for exciting expansion, Chef Borges aims to elevate Chicago’s dining scene, bringing a taste of South America to the Windy City.
Hold onto your forks, Chicago! The Windy City is set to embrace a flavorful twist as James Beard-recognized Chef Junior Borges teams up with the Excelsior Hospitality Group to unveil an exciting new dining venture. This collaboration is all set to shake up the culinary landscape, bringing not just any food, but an upscale Brazilian experience right to the heart of Chicago!
So what can diners expect from this fresh dining destination? Named Nic & Junior’s, the restaurant will proudly echo the rich connections between African and Brazilian cuisines. Located at 405 North Wabash in the bustling River North area, this spot promises to be an exquisite combination of casual and formal dining. Imagine a cozy yet classy atmosphere where you can revel in the delightful splash of flavors from the Southern Hemisphere while enjoying a beautifully curated meal!
Before jumping into the bustling Chicago restaurant scene, Chef Borges also takes on the role of executive chef at Juniper, the flagship restaurant of Excelsior located in Austin, Texas. His mission at Juniper? To bring it back to its roots while revamping the menu with mouthwatering new items. This includes stunning dishes like scallop crudo paired with Texas peaches, rich rock shrimp pasta adorned with marinated tomatoes, and a heavenly potato-filled pasta drizzled with butter and truffles.
The culinary philosophy he advocates is simple yet sophisticated—focusing on a handful of high-quality ingredients that come together to create layers of flavor, a technique perfected over years in renowned kitchens.
Borges’s partnership with Excelsior Hospitality Group isn’t the only thrilling news; they have bigger plans on the horizon. Excelsior is scouting for new restaurant locations outside of Texas, including possibilities around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The expansion signifies a broader commitment to enhancing the culinary landscape and providing more opportunities for people to experience exquisite dining.
Where did Chef Borges’s journey begin? Surprisingly, it wasn’t in the kitchen! Initially studying to become a dietitian, a move to New York ignited his passion for cooking, driving him to explore the culinary arts. His career flourished as he worked with some of the most revered chefs in high-end kitchens, all while developing a knack for infusing Brazilian flair into traditional American cuisine.
His undeniable dedication places him among a rising tide of Black Brazilian chefs who are bringing Afro-Brazilian food to the forefront, showcasing its rich heritage that beautifully intertwines history and flavor.
With the opening of Nic & Junior’s slated for this spring, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. The restaurant promises a six-course prix fixe menu that will combine influences from both Brazilian and Italian cuisines. Diners can look forward to pastas, delightful one-bite snacks, and even a raw bar that maintains the highest standards of culinary excellence.
While Chef Borges is gearing up for this grand opening, he remains confident about the potential of earning prestigious accolades like Michelin stars in the future. For him, embracing the essence of Brazilian cooking—rooted in African traditions—is key to creating dishes that resonate with diners on a deeper level.
As Chicago readies itself for an upscale dining experience that celebrates cultural connections, keep your eyes peeled for Nic & Junior’s! Chef Junior Borges is using his talent and vision to create something special that promises to leave a lasting impression on Chicago’s diverse culinary scene. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to savor each unique dish that will soon grace the tables of this vibrant city!
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