Rotisserie meats and wine cellar dining in Lincoln Park

When two partners team up for a follow-up venture, there's a good chance the first one was a success, or just that they aren't getting offers to do any other movies. Here for more of the former reason: Rustic House.

From the duo that brought you Gemini Bistro, Rustic is an intimate 80-seater that lives up to its name, going so far as to throw farm-themed paintings from local artists upon its walls of weathered barnwood and burlap, which doesn't give you license to start shot gunny-ing drinks. Bar bites include Marcona almonds roasted in duck fat, honey-peppered bacon, and chicken liver mousse, while more substantial starters include lobster Caesar salad, and hand-rolled gnocchi w/ Hudson Valley Foie Gras, though the substantial-est starter of all Bartolo Colon would advise you to just inject yourself with fat directly. Highlighting the mains're daily rotating (!) rotisserie specials like free-range organic chicken, Kurobuta pork, and suckling pig, plus non-spun entrees like duck confit ravioli, and pancetta-wrapped monkfish, who apparently ditched their celibacy vow in favor of rampant porking.

To pair, the 60+ bottle wine list includes 30 glass pours, and you can knock back signature 'tails like the rye/ginger ale/cherry juice Shirley Templeton, an ode to the child actress who definitely isn't getting offers to do any other movies.

Photo by Neil Burger, Stronghold Photography