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.
*Wagyu Beef Tartare black truffle XO, toasted rice, shiso
*Dadinho tapioca fritter, requeijão, sturgeon caviar
Apricot 24-month prosciutto, honey, lemon balm
Snow Crab Claw pepperoni chili crunch, coriander
*Smoked Scallop coconut, radish, dende
*Branzino green tomato butter, zucchini, fennel pollen farofa
Tomato Agnolotti requeijão, tomato brodo, basil
Spaghetti alla Chitarra meyer lemon, sturgeon caviar $20
*Wagyu NY Strip black beauty eggplant, black garlic bordelaise
Korean Melon lime, tangerine marigold
Yuca Cake coconut diplomat, citrus mostarda
Brigadeiro dark chocolate, caramelized milk, candied orange
Romeo & Juliet “mini cone” stracciatella ice cream and goiabada
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
*1/2 Dozen Oysters preserved lemon and cucumber mignonette, lemon oil 21
*Hamachi Crudo finger lime, kalamata olive, basil 17
Sourdough Focaccia whipped ricotta, english peas, olive oil, saba, herbs, calabrian chili 21
Dadinho tapioca and cheese fritter, mortadella, giardiniera, our smoked hot sauce 14
Yuca Fries & Dips pimenton aioli, ramp salsa verde, requeijao dip 12
salads
Caesar local greens, shaved kohlrabi, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 15
Italian Chopped local greens, salami, artichoke, cherry tomato, guandilla pepper, buffalo mozzarella, red wine vinaigrette 17
Iceberg Wedge gorgonzola vinaigrette, perpperoni chili crunch, roasted cherry tomato 17
Add protein to any salad: Grilled Chicken +10, Crispy Chicken +10, Grilled Red Prawns +13
sandwiches
*Double Burger fontina, dijonnaise, caramelized onions, pickles 22
Grilled Chicken heirloom tomato, prosciutto, arugula, fontina, calabrian chili aioli 19
Vegetarian marinated eggplant, summer squash, stracciatela, capers, parsley, pimenton aioli 19
Hot Mortadella scamorza, pickles, dijonnaise 19
All sandwiches served with fries.
entrees
*8 oz Wagyu Bavette ramp salsa verde, fries 52
Piri Piri Half Chicken eggplant caponata, tomatoes, apricot, basil 34
*Salmon fregola, spinach, confit heirloom tomato, dill beurre blanc 37
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 24
Tagliatelle pork ragu, parmesan, oregano 27
Orecchiette grilled english pea and castelvetrano pesto, pine nuts, pecorino 24
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.
bar bites
2 pieces
Picolino Cucumber white soy, toasted golden sesame 6
Hot Capicola Spiedini molho campanha, saba, fennel pollen 12
Apricot 24-month aged prosciutto, honey, lemon balm 13
Dadinho & Caviar tapioca and cheese fritter, requeijão, whitefish caviar, chives 23
Crab Claw pepperoni chili crunch, coriander 16
house made bread
Sourdough Focaccia whipped ricotta, english peas, olive oil, saba, herbs, calabrian chili 21
Pão De Queijo cultured butter, goiabada – baked to order. please allow 20 minutes 16
Antipasti
*1/2 Dozen Oysters preserved lemon and cucumber mignonette, lemon oil 21
*Hamachi Crudo finger lime, kalamata olive, basil 17
*Beef Tartare confit butterball potato, grilled ramp aioli, horseradish 22
Roasted Summer Squash squash & saffron bisque, sunflower seed gremolata 19
Caesar local greens, shaved kohlrabi, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 15
Handmade Pastas
Tomato Agnolotti requeijão, tomato brodo, basil 28
Taglioni dungeness crab, cherry tomato, tucupi, garlic 34
Yuca Gnocchi confit peppercorns, cultured butter, parmigiano, black truffle 32
Mains
*Half Rack of Lamb english pea pesto 95
*12 oz Wagyu New York Strip black garlic bordelaise 95
*10 oz Catalpa Grove Pork Loin borlotti bean ribollita 63
served with guandilla pepper chimmichurri
Piri Piri Half Chicken eggplant caponata, tomatoes, apricot, basil 33
*Whole Branzino deboned, spigarello, calabrian chili, preserved lemon 48
sides
Butterball Potatoes creme fraiche, lemon, chives 12
Spigarello oregano vinaigrette, pecorino 12
Roasted Peppers tonnato, caper berries, horseradish 14
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.
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
Tommy’s Margarita 100% agave tequila, agave, lime 9
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth 9
Wines by the Glass $9
NV Prosecco, Caposaldo
2018 Cotes du Rhone, Saint Cosme
2023 Grüner Veltliner, Stadt Krems
Beer $5
Kolsch Draft
Anti-Hero IPA Draft
Zombie Dust Draft
Miller Lite
Modelo Especial
Bites
Yuca Fries & Dips pimenton aioli, ramp salsa verde, requeijao dip 7
Hot Capicola Spiedini molho campanha, saba, fennel pollen 9
Caesar local greens, shaved kohlrabi, toasted breadcrumbs, mint, pecorino 11
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, crispy garlic, basil 17
*Double Cheeseburger fontina fonduta, beer mustard, caramelized onions, pickles, housemade milk bun, french fries 15
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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
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth
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
Modern Classics
Sake Southside sake, yuzu, shiso, ume
N+J’s Espresso Martini coffee vodka, white crème de cacao, caramel, salt
Strawberry Negroni gin, strawberry campari, barolo chinato, amontillado sherry
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
Wine by the Glass
NV Champagne, Canard-Duchene 24
Rose, ‘Le Croix’, Peyressol 15
NV Prosecco, Caposaldo 12
2023 Grüner Veltliner, Stadt Krems 14
2023 Sancerre, Chateau Sancerre 19
2018 Cotes du Rhone, Saint Cosme 12
2021 Nebbiolo, Bava 18
2019 Tempranillo, Emilio Moro 20
2022 Red Blend, ‘D2’, Delille Cellars 20
Beer
Draft
Kolsch, Dovetail Brewery 7
Anti-Hero IPA, Revolution Brewery 7
Zombie Dust, 3 Floyds Brewing Co. 7
Bottles/Cans
Miller High Life Pony 5
Miller Lite 6
Modelo Especial 7
Spirit Free
Heineken 0.0 7
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
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- Classic Brazilian brigadeiros—served as a sweet finish at Nic + Junior’s
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- A playful take on tiramisu, layered with brigadeiro and toasted hazelnuts.
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- A signature Catupiry ice cream dessert—offered as the final course in Nic + Junior’s tasting menu
Sweets
Rhubarb Sorbet lime zest 9
Catupiry Soft Serve lemon oil, sea salt 9
Brigadeiro Tiramisu requeijão, hazelnuts, cachaca, sprinkles 14
Warm Chocolate Chip Cookies + Milk 9
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
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.