Bayless's Casual Basement
Bar Sótano is the Frontera complex's casual basement. The more relaxed sister to Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, all under one River North roof. The format is modern Mexican small-plates with a deep mezcal programme.
The cooking is contemporary Mexican at neighbourhood scale: small plates rotated seasonally, considered shareable mains, the kind of Bayless-trained kitchen discipline applied to a more casual format.
What to Order
Modern Mexican small plates rotating with the season. The strongest part of the menu. Tacos from the kitchen's specialty programme; seasonal vegetables as proper components. The mezcal flight is a Sótano signature.
The Format
The basement room is dim, intimate, and bar-driven. Counter seating handles walk-ins; reservations help on weekend evenings.
Best Occasion: First Date
Bar Sótano is a quiet River North first-date win. The format provides shareable plates and conversation; the mezcal programme provides the natural drinks register; the Bayless-trained kitchen takes the cooking seriously enough to justify the visit.