The little Italian deli, Via Napoli, down the street from where I work closed. They closed over the summer because they had taken over the storefront next to them and were going to remodel and expand. They never reopened and yesterday I noticed the big sign was down off the front of the building and it looked very, very closed. I don't know if they just ran out of money or what. It's too bad. They were very close to where I work and had good, fresh food with generous portions and were very friendly. Probably one of the best meatball sandwiches I've ever had.

RIP Via Napoli, formerly located at 583 N Rand Rd in Lake Zurich

I saw a new restaurant called Zaidi's -- Steak Sushi Seafood being finished in Naperville at the corner of 83rd Street & Rte 59. A google search didn't find anything on point. Anyone know what it will be like?

tcdup wrote:I saw a new restaurant called Zaidi's -- Steak Sushi Seafood being finished in Naperville at the corner of 83rd Street & Rte 59. A google search didn't find anything on point. Anyone know what it will be like?

Here ya go..http://zaidisrestaurant.com/

Driving down Halsted yesterday, I noticed a new placed just south of Roscoe called "Rollapalooza." The unfortunate name led me to believe that it was either a sub shop or sushi place. Yelp confirms that it's the latter, and opened in mid-July. (Not surprisingly, a Yelp reviewer also pronounces it "yummy," though others seem to disagree with that assessment.)

d4v3 wrote:Pupuseria Las Planes is closed. There is a sign in the window which says "Coming Soon...Pupuseria Cuscatleco #2". Hopefully the new incarnation will be as good as the establishment it is replacing. I have never been to Cuscatleco #1 on Lawrence.

Pupuseria Los Planes
7109 N Clark St
Chicago, IL

The sign announcing the changeover of Las Planes to Pupuseria Cuscatleco has been replaced with a sign that says "Yes, we are open". So I guess Las Planes is still in business under the same moniker. I will make a point of going there today for lunch.

chgoeditor wrote:Driving down Halsted yesterday, I noticed a new placed just south of Roscoe called "Rollapalooza." The unfortunate name led me to believe that it was either a sub shop or sushi place. Yelp confirms that it's the latter, and opened in mid-July. (Not surprisingly, a Yelp reviewer also pronounces it "yummy," though others seem to disagree with that assessment.)

Sometimes when I see small restaurants throwing in the towel I feel bad for the owner, wondering what it must be like to have thought they'd offer a great product and thus be well received, only to go broke on the effort. And then there are owners who choose to do such insanely silly things as name their place this.....

tarte tatin wrote:

Mhays wrote:Three restaurants in Carlson building close...

Anybody have any update on La Petite Amelia/Omaggio/Uber-burger, which were all supposed to re-open 9/1 after closing suddenly in late July for "vacation"?

I happened to drive by all 3 tonight and saw no signs of life.... plus Petite Amelia's phone has apparently been disconnected....

They should be re-opening shortly, with Petite Amelia serving Omaggio's menu, according to a former employee that still has an ear to what's going on.

Two new places (neither open yet) on the 7500 block of Ridge in NW Rogers Park, flanking Deta's Cafe. On the corner of Ridge & Howard, an as-yet nameless place in the space where a Currency Exchange used to be, with two neon "Kronos Gyros" logo signs ablaze in the windows. To the South of Deta's, a place called "Tutti Fruity" or "Tutti Fruitables" or some such (the signage wasn't lit yet, so I'm not 100% sure of the complete name), sporting light green interior walls, framed botanical fruit prints, and not much else at the moment.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

A Wicker Park mainstay, The Pontiac Cafe, will be closing on 10/17.

While the food has gotten increasingly mediocre over the years, Pontiac has always been a great place to have drinks outside. Hopefully it'll be replaced by something with a similar, booze-focused patio out front and even better food. Unfortunately though, my bets are on another Akira.


Pontiac Cafe
1531 N. Damen Ave
773-252-7767

Ralph Wiggum wrote:A Wicker Park mainstay, The Pontiac Cafe, will be closing on 10/17.

While the food has gotten increasingly mediocre over the years, Pontiac has always been a great place to have drinks outside. Hopefully it'll be replaced by something with a similar, booze-focused patio out front and even better food. Unfortunately though, my bets are on another Akira.


Pontiac Cafe
531 N. Damen Ave
773-252-7767

Yeah, I can't imagine they do much business in the cooler months I also hope for something with tastier food that can keep them going all winter long.

JoelF or anyone,

If you have any more info on Omaggio or La Petite Amielia, please private message me. Thanks!!!

Ralph Wiggum wrote:A Wicker Park mainstay, The Pontiac Cafe, will be closing on 10/17.

While the food has gotten increasingly mediocre over the years, Pontiac has always been a great place to have drinks outside. Hopefully it'll be replaced by something with a similar, booze-focused patio out front and even better food. Unfortunately though, my bets are on another Akira.


Pontiac Cafe
531 N. Damen Ave
773-252-7767

Never would have eaten out of this kitchen, but I'll miss the live band karaoke nights. The band they use is really really good.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:Pontiac Cafe
531 N. Damen Ave
773-252-7767

I think you mean 1531 N. Damen

yes I did. Thanks.

JoelF wrote:

tarte tatin wrote:

Mhays wrote:Three restaurants in Carlson building close...

Anybody have any update on La Petite Amelia/Omaggio/Uber-burger, which were all supposed to re-open 9/1 after closing suddenly in late July for "vacation"?

I happened to drive by all 3 tonight and saw no signs of life.... plus Petite Amelia's phone has apparently been disconnected....

They should be re-opening shortly, with Petite Amelia serving Omaggio's menu, according to a former employee that still has an ear to what's going on.

Thats sounds strange Petite Amelia and Omaggio both serving the same food three blocks apart. They might want to think about changing the name "Petite Amelia" a Italian place with a French sounding name?

Wow.....This just in,the Blackbird/Avec/Publican crew have bought the Pontiac space.

*keeping fingers tightly crossed for some type of gastropub where one can get quality food and spend/waste a sunny day drinking outside*

http://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/out ... ut/?p=9951

Lots going on in the closing department today. As reported on many sites, Brasserie Ruhlman is "Closed until further notice. Reconstructing for 3 weeks". Also, Avenue M did not open this weekend. And as also noted here and other sites, the Blackbird crew have bought the Pontiac Cafe space, this Sunday will be the last day for Pontiac Cafe.

Chundy's

Grand Opening 14 November @ 6pm
@ Diversey and Sacramento, was previously a bakery serving Logan Square (and The Logan Square Farmers Market )
with Organic and Natural baked goods.
(Golden Rise Bakery and Cafe)
Hopefully, the owner of the bakery (David Chundy) will consider some of the suggestions I laid upon him in his bakery business (that being to try serving more Savory Goodies, such as Samosa's ,Croissants with Spinach/Cheese/Ham, etc.... )
David hails from Mauritius- and his cultures food is similar to Indian- but unique.
I thought if only- he'd open a cafe serving his own food from his country- he'd "own" the Mauritius market in Chicago!


Chundy's
2957 W. Diversey
Chicago,IL.60647

makemedinner wrote:

Ralph Wiggum wrote:A Wicker Park mainstay, The Pontiac Cafe, will be closing on 10/17.

While the food has gotten increasingly mediocre over the years, Pontiac has always been a great place to have drinks outside. Hopefully it'll be replaced by something with a similar, booze-focused patio out front and even better food. Unfortunately though, my bets are on another Akira.


Pontiac Cafe
531 N. Damen Ave
773-252-7767

Never would have eaten out of this kitchen, but I'll miss the live band karaoke nights. The band they use is really really good.

My best friend's boyfriend played drums in that band several years ago (maybe '02 or '03?) We went to see him there once and it was a lot of fun. Didn't order any food, but I was pissed they didn't have Red Stripe.

Lo's China Chef has closed, which is not a major loss. Signs in the window say Sanook Restaurant, sushi and Thai, is coming soon. Lo's China Kitchen, their original mostly takeout place at 2800 W. Irving Park Rd., is still open.

2845 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago

Bucovina (6107 W. Addison) closed October 14 after six years according to a sign on the door. The building has been for sale for some time while I first noticed for rent signs in the windows last weekend.

I also posted the closing in the old Bucovina thread in case anyone searches there. Posting a closing in a thread centered on a specific restaurant is probably a good idea given the huge length of this thread.

David's Bistro, at Wolf and Central in Des Plaines, has been closed for a bit, and it is now replaced by Katie's Kitchen. I didn't get close enough to tell what sort of food is there; more info later, hopefully.

Looks like a new resturaunt is opening in Evanston on Central Street called Old Neighborhood Cafe, the sign is up and there is brown paper covering the windows.

According to 312 Dining Diva, Shochu has closed and is reopening as Deleece Grill Pub.

Lou Malnati's carry-out, delivery hub headed to Tinley Park

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria plans to open a carry-out and delivery hub in February or March at the Towne Centre plaza, 171st Street and LaGrange Road. CVS Pharmacy, Charley Horse Restaurant and Plass Appliance also call the strip mall home.

In Highwood there are three pending openings on Sheridan Road. The first is Cafe Pettopia in the same strip mall with Trattoria Giacomo. Not sure what kind of food Cafe Pettopia will offer, my husband is convinced it is a pet shop, ha ha, but trying to take peek, it looks like a cafe.

Second is Cluckers Charcoal Chicken, 760 Sheridan Road, in the strip mall just south of Cafe Pettopia (with Sweet Pea's Ice Cream and Sopa). I think the name speaks for itself.

Last is Cellar Gate (I think that's the name), which just opened this past weekend. Looks like a wine shop. I do not have the address but is just a couple doors south of Maria's/Il Mulino.

Last is Cellar Gate (I think that's the name), which just opened this past weekend. Looks like a wine shop. I do not have the address but is just a couple doors south of Maria's/Il Mulino.[/quote]

http://www.cellargate.com/
524 Sheridan Road
Highwood
Phone: (847) 748.8086

I haven't confirmed this yet but skinkfoot told me last night that Redder on Southport next to coobah has closed. I've never been so can't comment on good or meh.

A sign in the window at Angelo's Taverna on Sedgwick at North says they are changing from their current small plates menu in to a full service greek restaurant. An employee told me the change-over will happen in a few weeks.

A new Caribbean restaurant is opening in the old "Me Voici Cafe" space in the 700 block of Howard Street. Hopefully this one will have a working kitchen.....