There's a kosher Subway under construction at 3945 Dempster in Skokie. I'm just the messenger.

Ciao Amore was open when I walked by this evening at 11:30. I skimmed the menu, and it looked pretty good. I remember the word "rice balls" caught my attention. 4 positive reviews on yelp for only being open what a few weeks or less (presumably excited neighbors like myself).
It's in the old Real de Catorce spot on 1134 West 18th St.
It's byob and here's to hoping that its good.

The scoop from Metromix : "Chef-partner Cesar Pineda owned Caro Mio in Ravenswood with his cousin before breaking off to open this sunny Italian BYOB in Pilsen. Here, his menu centers on house-made pastas such a lobster ravioli in a spicy arrabiata sauce and gnocchi stuffed with pesto and asiago and ricotta cheeses. Pineda's creamy porcini mushroom sauce is not to be missed. Beyond pasta, you'll find a selection of fish and seafood dishes, including calamari and seared mahi mahi. The contemporary dining room features funky blue light fixtures, exposed brick and pressed tin ceilings, as well as a rotating display of art from Pilsen galleries."

Chitown B wrote:There is a Mista opening at Clark and Balmoral between the tanning salon and Restoration.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mista-chicago

(that's the Lakeview one)

It's cracker crust pizza, some other italian things too - fresh, organic.

But seriously....... Great Lake is around the corner, Calo is almost next door, and a block south is Homemade Pizza Co. and across from that is Ranalli's.

I wish Andersonville would put in something besides pizza. We have more than enough already. I'm sure this will be good, and I like cracker crust - but we're oversaturated.

hmmmmm........seems like this may have closed before it opened. The awning is completely gone now.

A new pizza place has opened with coal fired ovens, they procure their coal from the same supplier as CoalFire the last remaining dealer in the city.

The pizza I had with friends was thin crusted and the bottom crispy with a hint of charcoal, accompanied by leopard sized spots of black that was not objectable but tasty. We ordered the pepperoni and it came with melted fresh mozzerella. They also have outdoor seating (corner of Grand and Dearborn), they had not received their liquor license yet so it was BYO.

Castel Gandolfo
Brick Oven Pizza, 800 N Dearborn, Chicago IL 60616.

Silver Spoon

Silver Spoon wrote:They also have outdoor seating (corner of Grand and Dearborn) ... 800 N Dearborn

Man, that's crazy that their outdoor seating would be three blocks away from the restaurant.

It looks like the Eppy's Deli on Ontario has closed. I walked by there this afternoon and the signs are down, the inside fixtures are being taken down, and the placard with the soup of the day are gone.

Apparently Subway triumphed at that location after all. Larry "Eppy" Epstein had a strong fixation with Subway because of the traffic they did next store. I'll miss the colorful basket drawings on the blackboard and anti-Subway graffiti that one of his employees did, almost more notable than the sandwiches.

kates wrote:Re: The former Ninefish is now Guan Restaurant
They're still serving an affordable lunch special and pan-Asian cuisine, but they now have a liquor license; wine and beer are available. The owner tells me the address is in fact 2426 Main, Evanston....

The erstwhile Ninefish/Guan* location is now Little Wok. I received a flyer in the mail today and happened to drive by this afternoon. The flyer says Chinese and sushi; the restaurant door says Chinese and Japanese. The correct answer appears to be pan-Asian--the menu lists the usual Chinese suspects (orange chicken, General Tao's [sic] chicken, etc.) and sushi and sashimi selections plus a range of Thai (eg, curries and pad thai) AND Korean dishes, including 6 versions of stone bowl rice. I had just finished lunch elsewhere, so giving Little Wok a try will have to wait until another day.

Little Wok
2426 Main Street, Evanston
847/328-6666
http://www.Little-Wok.com

*Former owner now doing business as Han 202 in Bridgeport.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=23902

I just clicked on the Little Wok link above to make sure it worked, and I see that it also links you to a second Little Wok location at 103 East 51st Street, Chicago.

Looks like there's finally some activity at Chicago's Home of Chicken & Waffles in Oak Park. I drove past today and they were cleaning out the place and putting stuff in dumpsters. Maybe they'll be open in the fall after all?

Sprout Organic Restaurant will be opening at 1417 W. Fullerton Ave. soon, next to Via Carducci. They're hiring for experienced staff in French cuisine.

Chitown B wrote:

Chitown B wrote:There is a Mista opening at Clark and Balmoral between the tanning salon and Restoration.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/mista-chicago

(that's the Lakeview one)

It's cracker crust pizza, some other italian things too - fresh, organic.

But seriously....... Great Lake is around the corner, Calo is almost next door, and a block south is Homemade Pizza Co. and across from that is Ranalli's.

I wish Andersonville would put in something besides pizza. We have more than enough already. I'm sure this will be good, and I like cracker crust - but we're oversaturated.

hmmmmm........seems like this may have closed before it opened. The awning is completely gone now.

I think you're mistaken. I walked by last night and all the signage for Mista was definitely still up on Clark St.

I, for one, am always happy for more pizza options. Ranalli's and Calo just don't cut it for me, and while Great Lake is wonderful it's always nice to be able to get a pie without too much planning or strategizing...

abe_froeman wrote:Speaking of Vietnamese in Des Plaines, the place at River & Oakton that used to be Cesar's, then Lam's Inn (or whatever; not-that-great Chinese) now has a coming soon sign in the window and the sign out side says "Thai Viet: Pho and Pan-Asian"

Hopefully, it will be good.

Based on one visit, I'll say "not good." The blandest and clearest pho I have ever been served, coupled with a side dish of a few sprouts, a single thin disc slice of jalapeno and two small basil leaves left me vowing to never return. Green curry was also flavorless and not the least bit spicy. What a letdown.

Chitown B wrote:But seriously....... Great Lake is around the corner, Calo is almost next door, and a block south is Homemade Pizza Co. and across from that is Ranalli's.

I wish Andersonville would put in something besides pizza. We have more than enough already. I'm sure this will be good, and I like cracker crust - but we're oversaturated.

Maybe we can send over a few sushi places popping up in the Oak Park area. Maybe a Thai place for good measure.

Oakparkerr wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:There is a new sushi and noodles place opening up on the SW corner of Des Plaines and Madison in Forest Park...

Another doomed corner.

Coral Sushi and Thai

Now open. Boy! People must love Sushi in the tri-suburb area (Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park).

I believe we have reached maximum sushi/Thai capacity in the Oak Park area. With that said, there's another place opening on Madison (and Circle, I think) later this year. No more -- please!

Just spotted new Pannenkoeken Cafe location opening at North Ave. and Leavitt in Wicker Park. Sooooo glad I won't have to travel across the city for brunch there anymore

Dave148 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Skokie Pita & Pizza at the infamous corner of Skokie/Lincoln/Howard has closed. To be replaced by the creatively named Coffee Beanery. I'm taking bets on this one.

Kickass! I have a punchcard from them. Free latte, here I come!

The new sign is installed. No clue as to an opening date. Interior construction is still ongoing.

It's open. Already inaugurated by Skokie cops.

Anybody try the sandwiches and stuff? (I mean at any Beanery, not just this one). This would be a place to try if I forget my lunch one day.

Pie Lady wrote:Anybody try the sandwiches and stuff? (I mean at any Beanery, not just this one). This would be a place to try if I forget my lunch one day.

My office is just down the street from the Skokie location. I'll check it out sometime this week.

Dave148 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Anybody try the sandwiches and stuff? (I mean at any Beanery, not just this one). This would be a place to try if I forget my lunch one day.

My office is just down the street from the Skokie location. I'll check it out sometime this week.

OK - I took one for the team. It's run by the same franchisee as the one in Lincolnwood Town Center. All of the baking is brought in from other sources.

Sandwich choices are limited. I had a tuna sandwich on a plain bagel. It wasn't too bad. A bit heavy on the pepper. It came with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. The server didn't ask if I wanted any of the accessories. Oh well. Not bad for $3.99

They've got a flyer with a bunch of coupons good through October at the register. They also have Hershey's ice cream. There's a $.99 single scoop deal.

Dave148 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Anybody try the sandwiches and stuff? (I mean at any Beanery, not just this one). This would be a place to try if I forget my lunch one day.

My office is just down the street from the Skokie location. I'll check it out sometime this week.

OK - I took one for the team. It's run by the same franchisee as the one in Lincolnwood Town Center. All of the baking is brought in from other sources.

Thanks for TOFTT! That's good to know. I'll have to try the coffee one day, cuz this office swill is awful, even with the addition of chocolate milk or hot chocolate powder.

Dave148 wrote:They've got a flyer with a bunch of coupons good through October at the register.

Weird. Does one just hold it up and say "gimme?"

OK - I took one for the team. It's run by the same franchisee as the one in Lincolnwood Town Center. All of the baking is brought in from other sources. [/quote]

Thanks for TOFTT! That's good to know. I'll have to try the coffee one day, cuz this office swill is awful, even with the addition of chocolate milk or hot chocolate powder.e="Pie Lad

Dave148 wrote:They've got a flyer with a bunch of coupons good through October at the register.

Weird. Does one just hold it up and say "gimme?" [/quote]

Yep. I got a free brewed iced tea with my sandwich. The (I think) owner gave me a stack of coupon sheets when I told him that my office is just down the street.

Pita Pete's in Evanston has closed. Their other location (in Dekalb) is apparently still open. Someone, who I believe is associated with the Italian restaurant next door, is working on "a new concept" that should be open in about a month.

ecs wrote:Pita Pete's in Evanston has closed. Their other location (in Dekalb) is apparently still open. Someone, who I believe is associated with the Italian restaurant next door, is working on "a new concept" that should be open in about a month.

You can follow the progress of the opening of the new concept at this blog -

http://automaticburger.blogspot.com/

hoya97 wrote:

ecs wrote:Pita Pete's in Evanston has closed. Their other location (in Dekalb) is apparently still open. Someone, who I believe is associated with the Italian restaurant next door, is working on "a new concept" that should be open in about a month.

You can follow the progress of the opening of the new concept at this blog -

http://automaticburger.blogspot.com/

Eddie Lakin isn't just someone, he's elakin. He also has another blog, Cooking & Eating In Chicago.

Knowing an LTHer is behind this place makes me very, very excited. Evanston is becoming home to LTHer-run fast food joints.

gleam wrote:Knowing an LTHer is behind this place makes me very, very excited. Evanston is becoming home to LTHer-run fast food joints.

Me too! I think that's so cool. But what others are there? I only know of a couple people that own businesses, and none that are in Evanston.

I'll been to Coffee beanery,loved their black&white frapp.Try this one and u R going go back for it.Me,definitly.

Pie Lady wrote:

gleam wrote:Knowing an LTHer is behind this place makes me very, very excited. Evanston is becoming home to LTHer-run fast food joints.

Me too! I think that's so cool. But what others are there? I only know of a couple people that own businesses, and none that are in Evanston.

Gus/gp60004 owns Wiener and Still Champion, and it's awesome, so you should go there.

gleam wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

gleam wrote:Knowing an LTHer is behind this place makes me very, very excited. Evanston is becoming home to LTHer-run fast food joints.

Me too! I think that's so cool. But what others are there? I only know of a couple people that own businesses, and none that are in Evanston.

Gus/gp60004 owns Wiener and Still Champion, and it's awesome, so you should go there.

I actually have been there to try the fried bacon, but I'll be back!

Eddie Lakin isn't just someone, he's elakin.

True enough! I'm also "Edzo", apparently. Thanks for the mention. FTR, I'm not affiliated with the Italian restaurant next door to the former Pita Pete's space (Trattoria Demi).

I'll keep you all posted...although it doesn't appear that you need me to, since you all sniff out everything almost as soon as it happens.

Further on the Evanston beat, there is a new Kosher resto opening on Howard St., just east of Dodge/California, across the street from Gulliver's (in an old, long-vacant Kwikee Mart). The place will be called 'Manghal'; no further info at this time.

ORANGE is expanding it's universe.
In an old printing shop, next to The Funky Buddah Lounge is a sign in the window and lots of construction/facade repairs,
going on.
700 block of West Grand Ave. just b4 Halsted/Milwaukee.
Hopefully, they will commandeer the Parking Lot next door as well- because parking there is ....nonexistent!
(Plus that stretch of Grand Ave has more potholes than the side streets in Kabul!)

Who knew??!
In the month and a half since I posted about the new ORANGE opening on Grand; not only has the City finally got around to resurfacing the pothole ridden section of W. Grand Avenue, that I likened to a side street in Kabul (not that I've been lately, maybe they've even repaved with US Government Money as well!!)-
but ORANGE is now serving/open on Grand Avenue!

All it takes- is Time, and Money!