Roof to Table

Uncommon Ground's Wrigleyville location has long been a leader in eco-friendly restaurant practices and a cornerstone of Chicago's local food community. So when the second Uncommon Ground opened on Devon Ave. in late 2007, owners Helen and Michael Cameron kicked their green initiatives into full gear.

The icing on the cake is the 2,500-square-foot garden they built on the restaurant's roof last summer. It was granted organic certification last October, and planting began in earnest this past spring.

Natalie Pfister, the restaurant's rooftop farmer, hoped to provide a third of the produce for both locations--until cool weather got in the way (read about it on her blog). But the garden is finally getting up to speed, and radishes, sweet corn, peppers, greens, herbs, squash and the first tomatoes all make an appearance on chef Brian Millman's menu.

Try rooftop vegetables in a salad paired with grilled Rushing Waters trout and tzatziki ($18). And look for rooftop nasturtiums, chives and cucumbers gracing Uncommon Ground's cocktail menu.

The home-grown stuff isn't for sale at the restaurant's Friday farmers' market--but if you grab a seat on the patio, you can get a taste of the roof's mint in a Market Berry Mojito ($10).

Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave.; 773-465-9801 or uncommonground.com