join us for dinner
The dinner menu at Nic + Junior’s features seasonal plates crafted by Chefs Junior Borges and Nic Yanes. Each dish reflects their shared approach to cooking — ingredient-driven, soulful, and sophisticated. From small bites to entrées meant for the table, every plate tells a story of connection between Brazil, Italy, and Chicago’s River North dining scene.
Planning a private event? Explore our group dining options.
Explore our menus
DINNER Menu
-
- A signature à la carte dish—bavette steak with herb sauce and crisp frites.
-
- Chef Justin brings detail and care to every dish on the line.
-
- Summer’s brightest—heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella and basil.
Starters
Oysters on the Half Shell* smoked mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon 22/44
Shrimp Toast dijon mustard, fine herbs, preserved lemon 22
N+J House Rolls european butter, sea salt 9
Brazilian Cheese oregano, pecorino, arrabbiata sauce 13
Hand-Cut Steak Tartare* smoked cheddar, crispy leeks, horseradish, giardiniera 17
Crudité local veggies, green goddess 11
salads + Soup
Burrata Panzanella cherry tomato, guandilla pepper, sourdough focaccia croutons, red wine vinaigrette 17
Butter Lettuce champagne vinaigrette, fine herbs, breakfast radish 14
Caesar garlic herb breadcrumb, romaine, boquerones, parmesan 16
Lobster Bisque poached lobster tail, espellette pepper, sherry, smoked cream 21
sandwiches
all sandwiches served with fries
Ham + Raclette smoked ham, mustard, cornichon, on a toasted baguette 22
Crispy Chicken smoked hot sauce, shredded iceberg, dill pickles, duke’s mayo 23
N+J Cheeseburger aged cheddar, applewood bacon, onion, garlic-dill pickles, special sauce 24
Mains
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, basil 27
Ricotta Gnocchi pomodoro, ricotta salata, garlic herb breadcrumb 26
Spaghetti Alla Chitarra pecorino romano, confit peppercorn 26
Hokkaido Scallops* gigante beans, lacinato kale, 24-month aged prosciutto 42
Roasted Half Chicken potato purée, spinach, chicken jus, thyme 37
Branzino* grilled broccolini, salsa verde, grilled lemon 41
8oz Prime Filet Steak Frites* fries, black pepper cream, roasted shallot 58
sides
Shoestring Fries 8
Potato Purée roasted garlic, french butter 14
Grilled Broccolini morita chili, pecorino romano, garlic herb breadcrumb 14
Garlicky Spinach sautéed spinach, preserved lemon 12
SWEETS
Brigadeiro Tiramisu mascarpone, espresso, chocolate, sprinkles 12
Pot de Crème chantilly cream, cocoa nib 11
Zeppole mascarpone, coconut, guava, pistachio, chocolate 12
House Soft Serve vanilla, olive oil, sea salt 8
Seasonal Sorbet raspberry 8
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Happy Hour
Wednesday – Friday 4-6PM
-
- Two takes on a favorite: our clarified espresso martini and the classic version, side by side at Nic + Junior’s in River North.
-
- A comforting classic—handmade spaghetti with tomato, basil, and parmesan, paired with white wine at Nic + Junior’s.
-
- Bar perfection—flame-grilled hot capicola spiedini paired with a classic and a passion fruit old fashioned at Nic + Junior’s.
SNACKS
Oysters on the Half Shell* smoked mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon 12/24
Shrimp Toast dijon mustard, fine herbs, preserved lemon 16
Crudité local veggies, green goddess 8
Hand-Cut Steak Tartare smoked cheddar, crispy leeks, horseradish, giardiniera 14
Brazilian Cheese oregano, pecorino, arrabbiata sauce 9
BITES
Burrata Panzanella cherry tomato, guandilla peppers, sourdough focaccia courtons, red wine vinaigrette 12
Ham + Raclette smoked ham, mustard, cornichon, toasted baguette, with fries 15
N+J Cheeseburger aged cheddar, applewood bacon, onion, garlic dill pickles, special sauce, fries 15
Rigatoni Vodka calabrian chili, stracciatella, basil 20
Cocktails
Espresso Martini vodka, coffee liqueur, cold brew 8
Old Fashioned bourbon, bitters, sugar 8
Boulevardier bourbon, campari, sweet vermouth 8
N+J’s Martini gin, N+J’s vermouth blend, garnish salad 9
Negroni gin, campari, sweet vermouth 9
Dry Vodka Martini ice cold vodka, straight up, twist or olive 9
Passionfruit Margarita 100% agave tequila, passionfruit, lime 10
Caipirinha cachaça, lime 10
Wines by the Glass
NV Bisol ‘Jeio’ Prosecco 9
2024 Jacques Dumont Sauvignon Blanc 12
2023 Catena ‘Vista Flores’ Malbec 12
2024 Scarpetta Sangiovese 14
BeeR
Kolsch Draft 5
Anti-Hero IPA Draft 5
Zombie Dust Draft 5
Guinness Draft 5
Industry Handshake 9
Miller High Life Pony + shot of Fernet
-
- A classic martini with a cheeky salad twist—only at Nic + Junior’s.
-
- The front bar at Nic + Junior’s—where cocktails, conversation, and bold plates come together.
-
- 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
RESTAURANT WEEK
Join us for Chicago Restaurant Week and indulge in an elegant four-course prix fixe experience. Your meal begins with a chef’s amuse-bouche, followed by your choice of appetizer, main, and dessert – each thoughtfully prepared to showcase the season.
$60 per guest, available January 23 – February 8.
Brazilian Cheese oregano, pecorino, arrabbiata sauce
Choice Of:
Braised White Beans pecorino, 24-month aged prosciutto, lacinato kale
Burrata Panzanella guandilla peppers, focaccia croutons, cherry tomatoes, basil
Choice Of:
Ricotta Gnocchi cured tomatoes, fiore sardo, basil
Risotto rock shrimp, coconut + shellfish broth, coriander
Grilled Prime Picanha Steak roasted pomme purée bordelaise, sea salt
Choice Of:
Stracciatella Soft Serve dark chocolate, olive oil
Condensed Milk Flan bourbon caramel, vanilla
Consuming raw or undercooked meats
poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase
your risk of foodborne illness
Dine with Us
