Chef Graham Elliot Opens The Doors To Grahamwich Today Sandwiches. Sodas. Snacks. Soft Serve.

Opening today, Grahamwich is Chicago's new fast-casual sandwich joint and the latest venture for award-winning chef and TV personality, Graham Elliot. After accruing a cult-like following at his eponymous upscale restaurant, Chef Elliot now showcases his unique and whimsical culinary style in a more causal and lively setting at Grahamwich.

"Everyone speaks 'sandwich' - one part tasty filling; two parts bready goodness," says Chef Elliot. "While it might not change your life, it will certainly brighten your day."

The Menu
True to Chef Elliot's culinary sensibilities, his sandwiches are made with full-flavored, and sometimes surprising, ingredients in exacted combinations. A concise menu of eight inspired sandwiches, hot and cold, include Beef Shortrib with baby watercress, shoestring potatoes, pickled shallots, creamy horseradish, on pretzel bread; Pastrami Reuben with rutabaga sauerkraut, toasted caraway, gruyere fondue, 1,000 island on marble rye; Turkey Confit with candied yams, stewed cranberries, field greens, sage mayo on a dinner roll; Jibarito Press with pork shoulder, green mango, queso fresco, habanero mustard on crispy plantains; and Smoked Whitefish with shredded carrots, salted almonds, raisin chutney, curry aioli on Indian naan.

Chef Elliot's "Snacks," playful accompaniments to the main course, include signatures from Graham Elliot such as g'wich popcorn with grated parmesan, chopped chives, sea salt, cracked pepper, and truffle oil and g'wich chips, Yukon potatoes, fresh herbs, bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and ranch powder.

On the sweeter side, seasonal soft-serves will be offered such as Greek Yogurt with pomegranate seeds, glazed chestnuts and dark chocolate and Cinnamon Stick with roasted apple, salted caramel and pie crust. Chef Elliot's signature style shines through in the details as he discards mainstream soft-serve toppings for whimsical options like pop rocks, corn nuts and dehydrated berries. Homemade sodas on tap complete the experience, combining a classic feel with inventive flavors such as vanilla cola, root beer, lemon lime, orange ginger.

Breakfast at Grahamwich, offered from 7am-11am, stars their hard-core coffee program created in conjunction with Metropolis Coffee. No decaf is allowed on the premises and to-go French presses will be provided to all. Some updated versions of traditional items breakfast bagel panini, oatmeal and yogurt with granola, and baked goods from Fritz Pastry all changing on a daily basis.

The Design
Grahamwich is housed in The Tree Studio Building and Annexes in Chicago's River North neighborhood. Built in 1894, The Tree Studio Building is credited with being the oldest artist residence in the United States and is a designated Chicago Landmark. The high-ceiling counter-service space artfully combines pristine white paneled walls, signature wallpaper, and polished accents with distressed wooden floors and menu blackboards. Upon entry, an impressive marble countertop constructed from an actual piece of a church alter marks the coffee station. An eighteen-seat communal table in the back of the space offers the sole seating in the restaurant and is bathed in light from the large picture windows that look out onto the back garden. The restroom features blackboard walls and is equipped with chalk to encourage guests' inner graffiti artist.

The Chef
Elliot, named Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2004, became the youngest "Four Star Chef" in the country and his first restaurant, Graham Elliot, garnered two stars from The Chicago Tribune and two and a half stars from the Chicago Sun-Times. This year, Chef Elliot earned his first Michelin star.

In addition to appearing on both seasons of the popular show "Top