House 406 Elite Event

A great start to Unilocal Northshore 2015!
I had never heard of this place before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but was very pleasantly surprised. It’s a very intimate place which I feel is harder to find out in the burbs. I cannot believe that this place used to be a Chicken Charlie’s. What a complete turnaround!
The food was delicious, and I got the chance to meet and catch up with other Unilocalers. I love the presentations by Jen & Jen, it’s clear that they are passionate about the work they do!

How can you tell is an event is successful? If you make a reservation for dinner while you are at it, you know it’s doing what it’s supposed to do!
Hubby and I made reservations while we were there because we were so impressed with the drinks, the food, the staff, and the ambiance.
I liked that they had several menu items (drinks and food) to try. I see some Unilocalers picked their highlights. To tell you the truth, I can’t pick one because they were all great. (ok, gun to head… it would be the lamb).
They had a fun scavenger hunt where we answered questions about the place. I love it! It helped us find out more info without a boring regurgitation. Congrats to fellow Unilocaler Gerry T for the win!
As usual, Angela did a great job with the set up. Jen the owner, is a sweetie. Only 29! You’ve got to give that woman a lot of credit for being so successful.
Another great event. Makes me glad I’m elite!

My first event of the new year was fantastic. I was very impressed by House 406’s upscale, romantic interior and inventive menu. Adorable tiny cocktails were on offer as soon as we arrived — a sweet creamy drink served in a mini carafe, a sweet/​tart drink, and a whiskey drink made with a smoke machine.
Several different small plates were served throughout the night, including a luxurious mushroom soup with fried onion and a delectable gnocchi dish. The night was perfectly topped off by mini pumpkin-​flavored crème brulees.
Thanks to Jen and the staff of House 406 for putting this on, and thanks Angela for doing an awesome job coordinating as always!

There are so many gems in Northbrook and this is one I would have overlooked if not for Angela S., who happens to lead one of the best Unilocal communities in my opinion. I may be biased but in seeing old friends (Jody B and Randy, Matt R.-congrats once again!) and meeting new friends like Lake View alum Chris M. and spouse, it really is a vibrant community. One that gets stronger day by day, with every shared review, pic and experience.
Jennifer (Owner) was very friendly as was her mom. During Jennifer’s introduction, my thought was, wow, she’s so young and so determined, you can only imagine how passionate she must be to wake up early, source for high quality food, put in an entire day in at the restaurant, only to do it all over again — week after week. If this is her third restaurant, then it’s truly in her blood!
They were fully staffed and the excellent service was very evident throughout the entire evening. It’s noteworthy that the food never stopped coming and this is one of the few times that I just had to stop eating because I had work the next day. Otherwise, I would have kept eating and slept in the following morning. The ambiance? It certainly transcends the strip mall location and transports you to a very lively and modern environment (Like Makisu). The drinks? The Fred and Wilma drink was sweet and fruity but the real surprise and treat for me because of my Islay Scotch allegiance (think 10 year Laphraoag, Lagavulun, Bowmore, Arbeg, Etc.) was the rye bourbon that was infused with apple wood smoke (see my pic with the smoke machine)! I’d also like to have the chocolate milk cocktail again soon.
The lamb chops were already mentioned in the other reviews and with good reason, the meat was tender and tasty. The mahi mahi on pureed peas and quinoa? was flaky and well balanced. Though the gnocchi was just ok for me. My wife loved the cream of mushroom, to my lament because I skipped that. The tuna appetizer was good but the duck confit egg rolls were even better. We are looking forward to going back to House 406.

Amazing event! Even for Unilocal events I reserve my 5 stars and hand them out sparingly, and this definitely deserves it!
First, House 406 as a restaurant — amazing! I described it to my friends as taking something right out of West Loop, removing the pretension, and planting it in Northbrook. The décor is elegant yet chill, the food definitely wholesome but creative and delicious, and Jen (+ all the staff I talked to) were so warm and welcoming. That lamb chop DAMNNN. I’d love to be a regular here if I lived closer.
The event was run very smoothly, food came out at a great pace. Basically puts my party catering skills to shame. I loved hearing about the other 2 local businesses represented and meeting other Unilocalers over a nice smoked cocktail ;)
Most important of all, I was FLOORED when i opened my fancy notebook to see a personal written note from Angela. Not only were the custom notebooks so thoughtful already, that was such time taken to make us all feel loved. We have the best cm!
Wish I could have stayed longer!

What a wonderful surprise to be introduced to this gem in my own back yard. How did I not know this was here?!
Remember Chicken Charlie’s? Apparently, they closed and House 406 took over the space. You would not recognize it though, totally and completely different.
First impression is a swank, dark, seductive vibe, I am sure the smoke used on the whiskey helped add to the initial first impression upon entry.
File by the handsome bar to access the intimate/​cozy dining area. This place is small so I would recommend reservations.
Let us start with the food that I sampled —
The lamb — prepared and cooked for optimal taste and flavor, served with eggplant couscous
The mahi — served atop wasabi-​mashed potatoes, and black emperor rice cooked in coconut milk, I highly recommend trying this one, it is definitely sweet.
The salad — grated brussel sprouts mixed with apple segments
The soup — cream of mushroom — rich, flavorful, and sinful
The gnocchi — sweet potato gnocchi with braised beef short rib, a rib sticker!
The duck egg roll app — served with passion fruit drizzle and sriracha!
The tuna tartar app — compared to everything else that was going on, I found this one to be a little underwhelming — attribute it to the company it keeps?
The eggnog crème brule — decadent as one would expect with just the right combination of creamy and crunchy — Yum!
On to the drinks —
The bar is handsomely stocked with some choice liquors/​wines/​and beers. The pour is deeper in the sense that it is more mixologist than bartender. The ingredient combinations alone make the drinks more creations than combinations.
Drinks experienced this visit —
The Fred & Wilma — a sweet, fruity combination that the women favored
The box lunch — a dark chocolate dessert drink that actually features thai coffee
The how do you like them — bourbon, pear, ginger, need I say more. The palette discerned a bourbon grapefruit if you will.
The Good Hunting — hands down fave of the night — rye, drambuie, smoke made for a very interesting preparation and show
I was tempted to try the park ranger, which featured tequila and mezcal, borrowed from violet hour.
On to the people —
I had the pleasure of meeting most of the business for House — the bar tenders/​mixologists, the chef, the friend from girl and the goat, the owner/​daughter, and the owner/​mom. Everyone was extremely pleasant, accommodating, generous, easy to talk to and sincere in their interest in House. Talking to the family revealed long time roots in town that go back almost thirty years, and NOW they are opening a local business. So be sure to support them because it is local and they are your neighbors. They are also serious about sourcing and their ingredients and very open and eager to discuss, just ask.
It’s all about that Unilocal!
In addition to the wonderful event, Angela, our host with the most, spoiled us once again with all kinds of cool and nifty goodies — The Unilocal hook you up hook with compass, the fingerless mitts declaring the Unilocal life, the diary for your thoughts, the list goes on.
In addition, it was nice to hear from some additional local business outside of House, it gave me an opportunity to confer with 9 Round, which was cool.
The quiz/​scavenger hunt was a hoot and a fun way to encourage more mix up.
I enjoyed meeting additional Unilocal faces, some local, some from out of town that is always the best part.
Therefore, a big thank you to House 406, to Unilocal,and to Angela for this showcase event, it was a blast. Make your House 406 Valentine reservations NOW!

2015 has started off nicely! It’s great to see not only the excellent choices Angela makes, but also to see the evolution of Jen’s businesses as they move forward. House 406 is unique to me, just because it’s so different than the El, and a completely different… everything. For me personally I see the difference in the sense of style and ambience.
With that said, the food was excellent — lamb and mahi were good, but if you ask me that soup with the tiny bits of bacon on top was the real star! Food was organized well, nothing truly ran out — although people were going pretty crazy for the lamb.
I do like the addition of creative and unique Unilocal swag — the notebook was a good idea! Ditto with the Unilocal icecube trays. Then again, I can’t imagine every day I’d get a baby bib and a onesie that is Unilocal-​themed to go with my newest little Unilocaler, either.
I’d say this was a notably smooth event and if anything reaffirms that I’m going to have to check out house 406 for real. Cheers to 2015!

The food, the food, the food! This 2015 Elite kickoff was all about the food! (and the Unilocal ice cube trays, of course)
Those duck rolls, that crème brûlée, the tuna wontons, and that mahi — OMG the mahi was really, really, really good. I even tried the Brussels sprout salad, and THAT, my friends, is a first! (and only)
The journals were such a nice touch, thanks Angela for keeping us active and inspired for Unilocaling in 2015!

Ahhh yes, what a way to kick off 2015! Great convo with new Unilocalers and awesome food and drinks!
House 406 is an absolute gem in Northbrook. All the food that was showcased was delicious! The highlights for me were the duck confit egg roll, tuna tartar, and… the mahi-​mahi. (That sweet pea purée, tho. Yum.)
For drinks, we were treated to For Fred and Wilma [vodka + passion fruit] and the Box Lunch [chocolate + coffee-​y]. Such creative and fun drinks.
We also loved hearing about not only House 406, but the other businesses in the area. I love hearing the background of businesses — it’s so fascinating! The owner and staff were very welcoming and hospitable — the overall experience was fantastic!
Many thanks to Angela S. for the lovely Unilocal swag — shot glasses, ice cube trays and, most importantly, JOURNALS. Such a treat!

This was my very first Unilocal event, having just turned Elite this week, and I loved it! Angela is a terrific coordinator/​hostess, and this venue was perfect for this intimate gathering!
The food was amazing! The duck eggrolls, Brussel sprout salad, Mahi mahi, gnocchi and lamp chop were my personal faves, and the «mixologist» concocted the cutest, tastiest cocktails! Oh and the crème brûlée was unlike any other I’ve ever had… with a rich, creamy pumpkin flavor.
I met some nice people, acquired some cute Unilocal souvenirs (a cute luggage tag, pens, mints, a red journal personally signed by Angela, and I can’t forget the ice red ice cube tray shaped like the Unilocal logo!)
I can’t wait to visit House 406 on a date night with my husband, and I look forward to another Unilocal event!

Angela is an outstanding CM. The people of the North Chi town burbs need to know!
Thank you for being so welcoming. House 406 was. Great venue with locally sourced food and non gmo everything.
The mahi was my fav. I was glad to try the lamb chops since I heard such great things in the house 406 reviews.
The owner of house 406 is awesome and really spoiled the elite! There was more food and drinks then anyone could handle! No one left hungry!
The décor was cute and the staff was wonderful. There was a cute personally signed Unilocal journal from Angela and some sweet Unilocaly I’ve cube trays!