Meta Title: Asador Bastian Steakhouse: Menu, Location & Dining Guide
Meta Description: Discover Asador Bastian Steakhouse in Chicago. Learn about its Basque-inspired menu, live-fire steaks, seafood, cocktails, reservations, location, and dining experience.
Asador Bastian Steakhouse
If you’re searching for a distinctive steakhouse experience in Chicago, Asador Bastian is a restaurant worth knowing. Located in River North, this Basque-inspired restaurant combines live-fire cooking, premium boutique beef, seafood, Spanish-inspired dishes, and an upscale atmosphere inside the historic Flair House.
Asador Bastian is located at 214 W. Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654. The restaurant describes itself as a Basque-inspired steakhouse influenced by the traditional asadors of San Sebastián, Spain. Its steaks are cooked over live fire, while the menu also features seafood sourced and prepared with inspiration from Spanish and Basque culinary traditions.
What Is Asador Bastian?
Asador Bastian is a Chicago restaurant centered around the cooking traditions of an asador, a style of grill house associated with the Basque region and San Sebastián.
The restaurant is housed inside the historic Flair House, which dates to 1883. Its dining room features 1930s Murano glass, while a ten-seat chef’s table provides views directly toward the restaurant’s live-fire cooking area.
Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional American steakhouse dishes, Asador Bastian combines premium beef with Spanish and Basque flavors, seafood, pintxos, vegetables, wine, cocktails, and desserts.
Where Is Asador Bastian Steakhouse?
Asador Bastian is located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood:
214 W. Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60654
The restaurant’s official website lists its phone number as 312-800-8935.
Its current listed hours are generally from 4 p.m. until midnight, although guests should check the restaurant directly for the latest schedule.
What Makes Asador Bastian Different?
The biggest difference is its approach to steak.
Instead of treating beef simply as a standard steakhouse entrée, Asador Bastian emphasizes thick, bone-in Txuleton-style steaks cooked over live fire.
The restaurant offers several boutique beef selections, allowing diners to compare different varieties and aging styles.
Current steak options listed on the dinner menu include:
- True Galiciana
- Dry Aged Holstein
- 100% Akaushi
- The San Miguel steak
The menu currently lists True Galiciana at $87 per pound, Dry Aged Holstein at $84 per pound, 100% Akaushi at $105 per pound, and The San Miguel at $73. Prices and availability can change, so checking the current menu before visiting is recommended.
Asador Bastian Steak Menu
The steak selection is one of the restaurant’s main attractions.
True Galiciana
The restaurant describes its True Galiciana as silky, refined, and beefy. It is a boutique beef option for diners interested in a distinctive steak experience.
Dry Aged Holstein
The Dry Aged Holstein is described as tender and robust, with a characteristic flavor profile associated with dry-aged beef.
100% Akaushi
Akaushi is described by the restaurant as buttery, sweet, and decadent.
The San Miguel
The San Miguel is a smaller, hand-cut bone-in steak weighing under one pound. The restaurant describes it as suitable for one person or for two people to share as part of a larger meal.
Is Asador Bastian Steak Meant for Sharing?
Many of the restaurant’s larger steak cuts are well suited to sharing.
This can be particularly useful for groups because diners can order different beef varieties and compare them during the same meal.
Some diners who have discussed their experiences online have also described the steaks as being served in a shareable format, although the best portion size depends on the number of people and the rest of the meal.
If you’re visiting with several people, ask your server which cuts and quantities would work best for the table.
Asador Bastian Menu
Asador Bastian’s menu goes well beyond steak.
The current dinner menu includes several categories:
Pintxos
- Osetra Caviar Churros
- Anchovy “Matrimonio”
- Lobster, Corn & Foie Gras
- Tortilla Española
Conservas
- 5J Ibérico De Bellota
- Cecina of Beef Y Queso Azul
- Carpaccio of Bluefin Tuna
- Cured Sardines & Salsa Verde
Vegetables
- Spring Spinach Salad
- Traditional Spanish Salad
- Warm Melody of Vegetables
Bastian Specialties
- Black Truffle Beef Tartare
- Octopus Fideua
- Spider Crab Arroz Cremoso
- Grilled Caviar
- Cigalas A La Plancha
- Carabinero
- Crispy Segovian Pig
This variety makes the restaurant suitable for diners who want to explore Spanish and Basque-inspired dishes rather than ordering only steak.
Seafood at Asador Bastian
Seafood plays an important role in the menu.
Current offerings include:
- Turbot Al Pil-Pil
- Sole Amandine
- Besugo Orio-Style
- Octopus Fideua
- Spider Crab Arroz Cremoso
- Cigalas A La Plancha
- Carabinero
The restaurant describes its seafood program as drawing inspiration from the markets of Barcelona.
This makes Asador Bastian an interesting option for groups where some diners prefer seafood while others want steak.
Best Sides to Order
A steakhouse meal is often better with the right accompaniments, and Asador Bastian offers several options.
Current sides include:
- Tallow Fried Potatoes
- Nico’s Piquillos
- Crisp Artichokes
- Bone Marrow Potato Purée
- Iberico Fried Rice
- Hongos Y Huevo
The Bone Marrow Potato Purée is particularly rich and can be a natural pairing with grilled beef.
Desserts at Asador Bastian
There are several desserts available for finishing the meal.
The current menu includes:
- Citrus Coupe
- The Black Swan
- Raspberry Mil Hojas
- Burnt Basque Cheesecake
- Golden Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
- Pavlova
The Burnt Basque Cheesecake is an especially fitting choice for a restaurant inspired by the cuisine of the Basque region.
Drinks and Wine
Asador Bastian also has an extensive beverage program.
The bar menu includes cocktails, martinis, Spanish wines, sherry, beer, cider, and other beverages.
Current cocktail selections include:
- The Spanglish
- El Perfecto
- Dirty Dirty
- The Kangaroo
- The Gold Fashioned
- Ramos’ Revenge
- Txin-Txin
- Summer in Bordeaux
The wine program includes Spanish selections such as Txakolina, Albariño, Rioja, and Priorat, along with Champagne and wines from other regions.
Asador Bastian Reservations
Asador Bastian currently offers two main dining experiences.
The Bar Room is on the ground floor and opens daily from 4 p.m. It welcomes walk-in guests for the full menu and drinks.
The Dining Room is upstairs and is reservation-only. The restaurant currently states that reservations are available 30 days ahead.
If you’re planning a special occasion or visiting during a busy evening, making a reservation in advance is recommended.
Asador Bastian Chef’s Table
For an especially immersive experience, Asador Bastian has a 10-seat chef’s table positioned so guests can look directly into the flames of the restaurant’s asador.
This can be an appealing option for diners interested in watching the live-fire cooking process while enjoying the restaurant’s menu.
Availability may be limited, so check with the restaurant when making your reservation.
What Should You Order at Asador Bastian?
If you’re visiting for the first time, consider building your meal around several different components.
A possible approach is:
- Start with a pintxo or small appetizer.
- Add a seafood or vegetable dish.
- Choose one of the specialty Txuleton steaks.
- Order a side such as the Bone Marrow Potato Purée.
- Finish with the Burnt Basque Cheesecake.
For a group, ordering multiple dishes to share can allow everyone to experience more of the menu.
Is Asador Bastian Expensive?
Asador Bastian is an upscale dining destination, and its prices reflect its premium ingredients and specialty beef.
The current dinner menu lists steaks by the pound, with some specialty cuts costing more than $80 per pound. Seafood and other specialty dishes can also be significant expenses.
For this reason, Asador Bastian is generally better suited to a planned dinner, celebration, business meal, or special occasion than a casual budget meal.
Is Asador Bastian Good for Special Occasions?
The restaurant’s historic setting, premium steaks, seafood, wine program, and upscale dining room make it a natural choice for special occasions.
It may work well for:
- Birthday dinners
- Anniversaries
- Date nights
- Business dinners
- Group celebrations
- Food-focused Chicago trips
- Special steak dinners
The restaurant’s chef’s table can provide an additional experience for guests looking for something more memorable.
Tips for Visiting Asador Bastian
Make Reservations Ahead of Time
The dining room is reservation-only, and reservations are currently released 30 days ahead.
Ask About the Beef
The available cuts can vary. Ask your server about the current beef selection and how the different cuts compare.
Consider Sharing
Larger steaks can be a good choice for groups because they allow diners to try different varieties.
Don’t Ignore the Seafood
Even though Asador Bastian is famous for steak, the seafood selection is substantial and worth considering.
Check the Current Menu
Prices and menu selections can change, so review the restaurant’s current menu before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of restaurant is Asador Bastian?
Asador Bastian is a Basque-inspired restaurant and steakhouse in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, specializing in live-fire cooking, boutique beef, seafood, and Spanish-inspired dishes.
Where is Asador Bastian located?
It is located at 214 W. Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60654.
What is Asador Bastian known for?
The restaurant is particularly known for its live-fire cooking and Txuleton-style boutique steaks.
Does Asador Bastian take reservations?
Yes. The upstairs dining room is reservation-only, with reservations currently available 30 days ahead. The Bar Room accepts walk-ins.
Does Asador Bastian serve seafood?
Yes. Its current menu includes several seafood dishes, including turbot, sole, besugo, octopus fideua, spider crab, cigalas, and carabinero.
What steak should I order at Asador Bastian?
The restaurant currently offers True Galiciana, Dry Aged Holstein, 100% Akaushi, and The San Miguel. Ask your server about the day’s available cuts and which one is best suited to your group.
Is Asador Bastian expensive?
Yes, it is an upscale restaurant. Specialty steaks are currently priced by the pound, with several options above $80 per pound.
Final Thoughts
Asador Bastian Steakhouse offers a different take on the traditional Chicago steakhouse. Its combination of Basque-inspired cooking, live-fire grilling, boutique beef, Spanish seafood, cocktails, wine, and historic surroundings creates a distinctive dining experience.
For steak lovers, the Txuleton-style cuts are the main attraction, while the seafood, pintxos, vegetables, sides, and desserts provide plenty of alternatives.
If you’re planning a visit, make your reservation in advance, check the current menu, and consider sharing several dishes so you can experience more of what Asador Bastian has to offer.
