our menus
Our Culinary ApproaCh
At Nic + Junior’s, our tasting menu in River North is one of four seasonal menus, each crafted to reflect the rhythm of the season and the way we love to host. Whether you’re joining us for lunch, a lively à la carte dinner, or a multi-course tasting in the back dining room, each dish is thoughtful, balanced, and rooted in flavor.
Our tasting menu is the cornerstone of Nic + Junior’s – an ever-evolving, multi-course journey that showcases peak-season ingredients and global inspiration in River North. Meanwhile, our à la carte menu delivers vibrant flavors perfect for lunch meetings, casual dinners, or drinks that turn into dessert.
Whether you’re here for a quick bite or a curated evening, we make every meal feel personal, elevated, and just indulgent enough.
Planning a private event? Explore our group dining options.
EXPLORE OUR Menus
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- Behind the velvet curtain: Chef Junior’s tasting menu brings refined Brazilian-Italian flavors to life—served in an intimate dining room with thoughtful wine pairings.
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- Chef Junior in his element—plating with precision during dinner service.
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- An elegant pour during one of many tasting menu courses at Nic + Junior’s.
TASTING MENU
$185 per person
Sample menu – offerings may change based on seasonality and inspiration.
*Dadinho requeijão, black truffle
Bolinho de Bacalhau salt cod, butterball potato, sturgeon caviar
Queijo Coahlo calabrian honey, lime, oregano
Snow Crab Claw pepperoni chili crunch, coriander
*Caruru aka ebi, peanut, okra
Sungold Tomato tucupi, thai basil
*Smoked Scallop dungeness crab, green tomato
Doppio requeijão, sweet corn, chanterelle
*Wagyu Picanha eggplant, pine nut, black truffle xo
Sugar Cube Melon
Yuca Cake coconut, lime
Brigadeiro chocolate, candied orange zest
Baba au Liquor goiabada, vanilla bean diplomat
Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness
Lunch Menu
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- Shareable plates, craveable flavors—our à la carte menu is bold, seasonal, and always a little unexpected.
antipasti
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, herbs 14
Bread Pairings:
24-Month Aged Prosciutto 12 | Mortadella de Bologna 8 | Requeijão 5
Buffalo Mozzarella 7 | *Fois Gras Butter 15
*Oysters cucumber mignonette, lemon oil 24/48
Chilled Snow Crab Claws pepperoni chili crunch, shiso 34
Dadinho tapioca fritter, arrabbiata sauce 18
Delicata Squash toasted almond, saba, endive 17
Chopped Italian local greens, salami, artichoke, cherry tomato, guandilla pepper,
buffalo mozzarella, red wine vinaigrette 18
MAIN
*Burger fontina, dijonnaise, caramelized onions, pickles, yuca fries 22
Grilled Chicken Caesar local greens, shaved kohlrabi, pecorino, toasted breadcrumbs, mint 22
Tagliatelle pork ragu, parmigiano, oregano 27
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 26
*Ora King Salmon lacinato kale, preserved lemon, calabrian chili 52
Grilled Short Rib confit butterball potatoes, guandilla pepper salsa verde 55
SWEETS
Stone Fruit Sorbet lime zest 9
Soft Serve stracciatella, shaved chocolate 9
Zeppole candied orange, vanilla diplomat 12
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Dinner Menu
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- A signature à la carte dish—bavette steak with herb sauce and crisp frites.
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- Chef Justin brings detail and care to every dish on the line.
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- Summer’s brightest—heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella and basil.
antipasti
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, herbs 14
Pão de Queijo cultured butter, goiabada 16
baked to order – please allow 20 minutes
Bread Pairings:
24-Month Aged Prosciutto. 12 | Mortadella de Bologna 8 | Requeijão 5
Buffalo Mozzarella 7 | *Fois Gras Butter 15
*Oysters cucumber mignonette, lemon oil 24/48
Chilled Snow Crab Claws pepperoni chili crunch, shiso 34
Dadinho tapioca fritter, requeijão, black truffle 32
“Beach” Cheese on a Stick hot honey, lime, oregano 22
Delicata Squash toasted almond, saba, endive 17
Caesar local greens, shaved kohlrabi, pecorino, toasted breadcrumbs, mint 16
Chopped Italian local greens, salami, artichoke, cherry tomato, guandilla pepper,
buffalo mozzarella, red wine vinaigrette 18
Handmade Pastas
Agnolotti requeijão, tomato brodo, basil 28
Yuca Gnocchi confit peppercorns, cultured butter, parmigiano, black truffle 33
*Spaghetti Moqueca dungeness crab, coconut shellfish broth, red palm oil 36
Tagliatelle pork ragu, parmesan, oregano 27
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 26
BRAZILIAN FEAST 135
16oz Wagyu Picanha
served with heirloom beans, bacon + onion farofa,
pepper vinaigrette, malagueta chimichurri, and yuca fries
Main
*Ora King Salmon lacinato kale, preserved lemon, calabrian chili 52
Piri Piri Half Chicken malagueta relish, chicken glace 36
Coppa Steak savoy cabbage, vidalia onion soubise, pepperoni chili crunch 46
Grilled Short Rib confit butterball potatoes, guandilla pepper salsa verde 55
SWEETS
Stone Fruit Sorbet lime zest 9
Brigadeiro Tiramisu requeijão, hazelnut, espresso, chocolate sprinkles 14
Soft Serve stracciatella, shaved chocolate 9
Zeppole candied orange, vanilla diplomat 12
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Happy Hour
Tuesday – Friday 4-6PM
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- Two takes on a favorite: our clarified espresso martini and the classic version, side by side at Nic + Junior’s in River North.
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- A comforting classic—handmade spaghetti with tomato, basil, and parmesan, paired with white wine at Nic + Junior’s.
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- Bar perfection—flame-grilled hot capicola spiedini paired with a classic and a passion fruit old fashioned at Nic + Junior’s.
Bites
Sourdough Focaccia olive oil, saba, herbs 10
Bread Pairings:
24-Month Aged Prosciutto 12 | Mortadella de Bologna 8 | Requeijão 5
Buffalo Mozzarella 7 | *Fois Gras Butter 15
*Oysters cucumber mignonette, lemon oil 12/24
Yuca Fries smoked hot sauce 9
*Chilled Snow Crab Claws pepperoni chili crunch, shiso 28
Dadinho tapioca fritter, arrabbiata sauce 12
*Burger fontina, dijonnaise caramelized onions, pickles 17
Soft Serve stracciatella, shaved chocolate 7
Cocktails
Espresso Martini vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew 7
Old Fashioned bourbon, bitters, sugar 7
Boulevardier bourbon, campari, sweet vermouth 7
Manhattan bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters 7
N+J’s Martini gin, N+J’s vermouth blend, garnish salad 9
Dry Vodka Martini ice cold vodka, straight up, twist or olive 9
Passionfruit Margarita 100% agave tequila, passionfruit, lime 9
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth 9
Wines by the Glass
NV Bisol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco 9
2024 Pasqua Pinot Grigio 9
2024 Peyrassol ‘Le Croix’ Rose 12
2022 D de Dauzac Cab Blend 9
BeeR
Kolsch Draft 5
Anti-Hero IPA Draft 5
Zombie Dust Draft 5
Guinness Draft 5
Old Style Draft 3
Miller High Life Pony 4
Miller Lite 5
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- A classic martini with a cheeky salad twist—only at Nic + Junior’s.
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- The front bar at Nic + Junior’s—where cocktails, conversation, and bold plates come together.
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- A Southside, finished with fresh mint—cool, classic, and cocktail-hour ready.
Drinks
Classics
Southside gin, lemon juice, sugar, mint
Espresso Martini vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew
Old Fashioned bourbon, bitters, sugar
50/50 Martini gin, vermouth, bitters, lemon twist
Tommy’s Margarita 100% agave tequila, agave, lime
Caipirinha cachaça, lime, sugar
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth
Modern Classics
Sake Southside sake, yuzu, shiso, ume
N+J’s Espresso Martini coffee vodka, crème de cacao, caramel foam
Passionfruit Old Fashioned jamaican rum, passionfruit, bitters
N+J’s Martini gin, N+J’s vermouth blend, garnish salad
Mixed Blessings tequila, singani, honey, grapefruit, lemon
Guilty Pleasure cachaça, aperol, lime, sugar
Strawberry Negroni gin, strawberry campari, barolo chinato, amontillado sherry
Low-ABV
Summer Solstice 4% fino viejo sherry, fresh pressed watermelon 15
Liberdade junmai daiginjo sake, Japanese green tea, Michigan peach, lemon 15
Spirit-Free
Housemade Italian Soda passionfruit, lime, salt, Topo Chico 12
Satsuma Samba Seedlip Garden, NA bitters, satsuma mandarin, lemon 12
Wine by the Glass
NV Bisol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco 12
NV Ca’ del Bosco ‘Cuvee Prestige’ 24
2024 Pasqua ‘Black Label’ 14
2024 Blanchet Pouilly-Fume ‘Calcite’ 18
2023 I Clivi ‘San Pietro’ 17
2023 Trefethen ‘Oak Knoll District’ 18
2024 Peyrassol ‘Le Croix’ Rose 16
2022 J. Christoper ‘JJ’ Pinot Noir 19
2021 Bava Nebbiolo 18
2024 Scarpetta ‘Frico’ 14
2022 Prazo de Roriz 16
2022 Vasse Felix ‘Filius’ 18
Beer
Draft
Kolsch, Dovetail Brewery 7
Anti-Hero IPA, Revolution Brewery 7
Zombie Dust, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. 7
Old Style 5
Guinness 5
Bottles/Cans
Miller High Life Pony 5
Miller Lite 5
Modelo Especial 5
NA Beer
Heineken 0.0 6
Upside Dawn, Athletic Brewing Company 6
Guinness Zero 8
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
BRUNCh
Coming Soon – October 19
Dine with Us
A Curated Take on River North Dining
Nic + Junior’s offers a layered approach to River North dining, where each menu is crafted to reflect our Brazilian roots, Italian elegance, and a modern sense of hospitality. Whether you’re joining us for a quick weekday lunch or settling in for a full tasting experience, our menus are designed to inspire.
We begin daily at 11AM with our lunch menu, offering vibrant dishes that balance flavor, freshness, and finesse. From pão de queijo to seasonal entrées, our midday options are ideal for business lunches, casual meetups, or spontaneous solo visits. Monday through Friday from 4–6PM, we invite you to enjoy happy hour in the bar and lounge. Discover discounted cocktails, select wines, and shareable small plates—perfect for unwinding after work or easing into the evening. As night falls, explore our à la carte dinner menu, available in the main bar and lounge. These dishes are bold yet balanced, designed for flexibility and full of global influence—from handmade pastas to standout seafood and grilled meats. For a more immersive experience, reserve our tasting menu—a multi-course expression of Chef Junior Borges’ culinary perspective. Served in our intimate dining room, it’s a true celebration of the Nic + Junior’s philosophy: elegant, grounded, and deeply flavorful. At every time of day, Nic + Junior’s brings something distinct to the River North dining scene. We invite you to explore each offering below and find the experience that fits your mood, your appetite, or the moment.