From the Rooftop Bees to Your Plate, The Heritage in Forest Park Keeps it Local

The Heritage in Forest Park has given a new meaning to “farm-to-table". While sourcing many of their rotating, seasonal menu items from Midwestern farms, what makes the restaurant truly unique is their rooftop bees.  

Three thriving hives reside above The Heritage’s Madison Street location, providing the kitchen with a treasure trove of liquid gold to use in many of their best dishes like the Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese ($14) starter. A soft wedge of cheese shares the platter with honey comb (fresh from the rooftop bees), a dollop of pickled mustard seed, slivers of roasted rhubarb and warm slices of Publican Quality Bread.  

Another excellent example of the bees’ impact on the menu is the can’t-miss Honey Pie ($7) dessert. The generously-sized slice comes with a spoonful of strawberry & rhubarb jam on the side, scattered with honey crumble and crowned with freeze-dried honey comb from their buzzing rooftop neighbors.  

Honey-centric dishes aren’t the only things that impress on The Heritage’s intimate menu. The Roasted Oysters ($15) are topped with a flavorful trout roe, a sprig of cilantro, itty bitty slices of aromatic pearl onion and drizzled with chili lime aioli.  

The flavor-neutral Wild Striped Bass ($28) is hidden beneath a garden of gem lettuce and mint atop a mash of English peas and fava beans swimming in spring pea dashi and chive oil.  

Additionally, the Norwegian Fjord Trout ($24) rests on a salad of that delicious trout roe, tender asparagus, maitake mushrooms and pearl onion dressed with ravigote.  

Lastly, the silky smooth Lemon Panna Cotta ($7) cleanses the palate with slices of strawberry, a sprinkle of coriander and a decorative, wafer-thin poppy seed tuile.  

Be sure to imbibe in The Heritage’s signature cocktails or their revolving weekly libations. Our cocktail pick is the unique, gin-based Kedvale ($11) with fennel, sugar and coconut vinegar. Spirit-free options are also available as well as wines by the glass or bottle and beer (draft, canned or bottled).  

The Heritage is open for dinner Tuesday–Thursday from 5pm–10pm; Friday and Saturday from 5pm–11pm; and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am–3pm. The restaurant is located at 7403 Madison Street in Forest Park.