The former City Noor space is now occupied by Nablus Sweets. Not sure if it has any relation to the venerable Bridgeview knafa slinger, but its a welcome, if redundant addition to the Kedzie strip. Competition is gonna be tough with Jaafer, Nazareth and Feyrous in the area, but it looks like this place has seating, which may make it more of a proper Middle Eastern desert cafe. I'll write a report when I check it out.

Can't find a listing, so posting the address of the now closed City Noor.

Nablus Sweets
# 4714B N Kedzie Ave
Chicago 60625

Snax wrote:Went to Friendship Chinese tonight, and the doors were locked. No sign on the door to explain, and no answer (and no message) at their phone. There were fresh roses in the window, but a plastic curtain was taped over the entrance to the seating area. I hope they were just painting the dining room and failed to post notice...in addition to liking their food, I have two Groupons to use up there. : - )

Decided on a detour all the way to Lao Szechuan, which was worth the trip as always. Just hope I can get some northside chinese soon too!

Man, I have a Groupon from here....

A new sushi restaurant opened up in the sushi desert that is West Town.

Kyu Sushi
939 N Ashland

Have not been, but FWIW has 5 stars on yelp from 4 reviews. Having gotten tired of Butterfly and ... Butterfly, the two sushi restaurants in the neighborhood (I don't count Sushi X - it grosses me out what with its giant deep-fried crab rangoon monster cream cheese rolls).

And, in celebration of their grand opening today (9/9/09), all maki rolls are 1/2 of, so sayeth their website: http://kyusushichicago.com/

amyliz wrote:A new sushi restaurant opened up in the sushi desert that is West Town.

Kyu Sushi
939 N Ashland

Have not been, but FWIW has 5 stars on yelp from 4 reviews.

So they could only get four of their friends and family to "review" them on Yelp so far?

Snax wrote:Went to Friendship Chinese tonight, and the doors were locked. No sign on the door to explain, and no answer (and no message) at their phone. There were fresh roses in the window, but a plastic curtain was taped over the entrance to the seating area. I hope they were just painting the dining room and failed to post notice...in addition to liking their food, I have two Groupons to use up there. : - )

Decided on a detour all the way to Lao Szechuan, which was worth the trip as always. Just hope I can get some northside chinese soon too!

They're still answering the phone so it looks like all is well at Friendship.

There is a "Coming soon, Manee Thai" banner on the fence surrounding the hole at Addison and Pulaski where the old Manee Thai was before it burned down. I didn't get a chance to read the rest of the banner-- I wonder if it refers to a different location-- it would he hard to imagine anything "coming soon" to that hole in the ground.

Jen

JenM wrote:There is a "Coming soon, Manee Thai" banner on the fence surrounding the hole at Addison and Pulaski where the old Manee Thai was before it burned down. I didn't get a chance to read the rest of the banner-- I wonder if it refers to a different location-- it would he hard to imagine anything "coming soon" to that hole in the ground.

Jen

I drive through that intersection twice daily, and today the building shell included one completed firebrick wall and the remainder was about 30% bricked. This represents maybe two or three day's labor, as it definitely was just a fenced hole in the ground at the end of last week. I'd say, on the evidence, they are moving right along and the structure itself may well be "Coming soon."

JimInLoganSquare wrote:I drive through that intersection twice daily, and today the building shell included one completed firebrick wall and the remainder was about 30% bricked. This represents maybe two or three day's labor, as it definitely was just a fenced hole in the ground at the end of last week. I'd say, on the evidence, they are moving right along and the structure itself may well be "Coming soon."

Wow, I definitely underestimated the speed of construction. I wish that similar speed would apply to the "Coming Soon, Pete's Fresh Market" at Pulaski and Belmont in the old Jewel space. Hooray for the Return of Manee Thai, rising from the ashes.
Cheers, Jen

JenM wrote:Wow, I definitely underestimated the speed of construction. I wish that similar speed would apply to the "Coming Soon, Pete's Fresh Market" at Pulaski and Belmont in the old Jewel space.
Cheers, Jen

Don't hold your breath. It took Pete's 7-8 months longer than scheduled to open up at a former Dominicks in Calumet City.

Artie wrote:
Don't hold your breath. It took Pete's 7-8 months longer than scheduled to open up at a former Dominicks in Calumet City.

I shipped material in for the Cal City & Evergreen Park Pete's, Ill let folks know what I hear about the other new Pete's(hearing this fall). Pretty sure we have that one too.

A couple of "Latin style" restaurants (Mexican and Cuban) are completing build-outs and renovations in the River North - a stones throw from the Bayless trio of restaurants and as I passed them today they looked a month or so away from being ready to open:

Havana - a self-described pan Latin grill and Mojito bar



Havana
412 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 644-1900
Website: http://havanachicago.com/

Mercadito – self-described as offering Mexican food with a flair!



Mercadito
108 W. Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60654-4508
(312) 329-9555
Website: http://www.mercaditorestaurants.com/index2.htm

JenM wrote:There is a "Coming soon, Manee Thai" banner on the fence surrounding the hole at Addison and Pulaski where the old Manee Thai was before it burned down. I didn't get a chance to read the rest of the banner-- I wonder if it refers to a different location-- it would he hard to imagine anything "coming soon" to that hole in the ground.

Jen

It says:

Coming Soon
Manee Thai
Pan Asian
Sushi Bar

It looks like Think Cafe on Western is papered over and closed.
Anybody know their status ?

Think closed and Omar, the owner, is opening "Knew" over in the old Caliente space on Fullerton. Not sure of the opening date though. I'm glad though, Think's concept was getting tired-they never changed their menu and I felt prices were high. Here's hoping they step it up a bit with this new venture.

Speaking of "Opening Soon' places that seem to defy their signage-there is a hot dog/ burger place that is to open in the old Starbucks in Plaza Del Lago. Every week I pass by the place and I do not see any signs of progress.

Noticed a grand opening banner for a restaurant named "What the Food!" at 822 Clark Street in Evanston. I believe "Big Kahoona" had previously occupied the space. The menu I grabbed is mostly Chinese dishes along with a few other Asian dishes. There was also a menu from a restaurant in Wilmette called "Chinoiserie" folded up inside with the address and phone information crossed out. I didn't have time to check it out today, but will give it a shot next week.

I must have missed this completely but I just found out that Minnie's on Halsted is closed. When we went there in the past it was always packed. Anyone know why? Just curious....

windycityaj wrote:I must have missed this completely but I just found out that Minnie's on Halsted is closed. When we went there in the past it was always packed. Anyone know why? Just curious....

Because they underdelivered on an awful concept?

A Japanese restaurant took over the space of the Butt'ry in Wilmette. We tried it 2 times and it is wonderful. We have not had the sushi yet, but we tried the udon noodle bowls with tempura
shrimp, the appetizer special consisting of mackerel marinating in a secret sauce with ginger and scallions (wow- it was really good), and the teriyaki chicken. Everything was excellent. The owner is really friendly and the service is good. I will explore the menu a little further and report back. But, so far, I am really impressed.

Coordinates:

153 Akira
1137 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091
Tel: 847.256.1133
http://www.153akira.com

Elie

jennydran wrote:Think closed and Omar, the owner, is opening "Knew" over in the old Caliente space on Fullerton. Not sure of the opening date though. I'm glad though, Think's concept was getting tired-they never changed their menu and I felt prices were high. Here's hoping they step it up a bit with this new venture.

Hope he honors the Think gift certificate we have.

New restaurant in Ravenswood:

Peppermill Kitchen
1742 W. Wilson

FrankP wrote:New restaurant in Ravenswood:

Peppermill Kitchen
1742 W. Wilson

meanwhile, 2 blocks away at Leland & Clark: Blue Ocean (sushi) & "Chava, a Cafe" (including some interesting sandwiches and generous give-aways in prep for tomorrow's freebie opening day.)

As far as I know, Blue Ocean and Chava are unrelated, just sharing the first floor of a new mixed-use building, with the curious name "Vis Vitae" (Latin for "force of life").

Driving past the SW corner of Wellington and Sheffield (where there has never been a restaurant before), I just had time to spy out of the corner of my eye a banner in a window announcing the future arrival of DMZ Burger Bar, or something like that.

I think that's probably "DMK" burger bar....I remember reading about this one a few months ago...the DM is David Morton (of the famous Morton's and Hard Rock Cafe clan) and he's teamed up his neighbor Michael Kornick (MK) to do an upscale burger joint.

That could be interesting.

Seen while driving around:

The site of the erstwhile Taylor Street restaurant (Central Street at Lincolnwood Drive) in Evanston now has a sign in the window saying, "Coming Soon/Bonsai Cafe/Sushi and PanAsian Cooking."

UBAA/Old Crawford Inn (9956 Crawford Avenue) in Skokie has a banner announcing that they are now serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays.

Meanwhile at Kabul House on Dempster: A little while ago, I noticed that the dumpster in front of the new location was filled with evergreens that had been ripped out from around the property. Now the dumpster is gone, and no signs of any work being done.

Noticed a "Sweetwater" sign has gone up in the old Bennigans location at South Water/Michigan. Looked like a similar setup to the Bennigans. It won't have to do much to be a better option.

edit: looks like they are the folks behind Boundary in Wicker Park.

Progress from the Randhurst re-invent.....on the southside of the property there is now a strip mall that was previously the breakfast place (name escapes me know). Anyway Five Guys and Chipotle are going in. Looks like they might be open soon, for hire signs are up.

elakin wrote:I think that's probably "DMK" burger bar....I remember reading about this one a few months ago...the DM is David Morton (of the famous Morton's and Hard Rock Cafe clan) and he's teamed up his neighbor Michael Kornick (MK) to do an upscale burger joint.

More info here:
http://www.rimag.com/article/CA6643097.html

Worth a shot I suppose. Hopefully a nice addition to the bland culinary area.

Craig B wrote:Progress from the Randhurst re-invent.....on the southside of the property there is now a strip mall that was previously the breakfast place (name escapes me know)...

Monica's? (RIP)