Address: 4356 W Armitage
Neighborhood: Hermosa
Cuisine: Contemporary / Contemporary
Price Range: $$$$$
Website: https://www.hermosarestaurant.com/
Our take: Hermosa Restaurant: where Cambodian soul meets Chicago hustle. By day, it’s your friendly neighborhood sandwich alchemist, transforming Phnom Penh classics into hand-held glory. By night, this shape-shifter evolves into an intimate supper club, where contemporary Cambodian cuisine gets dressed up for a night on the town. Bring your best bottle and your sense of adventure – this is where tradition meets innovation, one bun (or eleven courses) at a time.
Wine Pairing: Step up your game with a premium bottle of Champagne (try Bollinger Special Cuvée) or a complex white Burgundy. The aromatics of a good Viognier or Gewürztraminer can dance beautifully with Khmer spices. For red lovers, bring a light, chilled Beaujolais or an elegant Pinot Noir from Oregon – think Cristom or Bergström.
Beer Pairing: Consider bringing some interesting Belgians like Saison Dupont or a funky lambic from Cantillon. The complex fermentation profiles complement Cambodian fermented flavors beautifully. For a local option that works any time, Half Acre's Daisy Cutter Pale Ale has enough character to stand up to bold flavors while maintaining elegance.
Spirits Pairing: Think premium rice spirits like Sokju (Korean rice liquor) or a high-end Japanese daiginjo sake. For a western twist that works well with Cambodian flavors, bring a bottle of St. George Botanivore gin or, for something really special, a bottle of rare Chartreuse to complement the herbs and spices in the cuisine.