From Craigslist posting dated 12/17:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/fbh/511933294.html

Busy 2 ½ star restaurant Campagnola in Evanston opening a second location with a new concept. Set to open in January, [our] gorgeous new space has 25 tables in [an] open dining room. Seating for 20 guests at the bar -- all with a view of our handcrafted wood-burning pizza oven.
Location: 1245 Chicago Avenue, 1 storefront south of Dempster, walking distance from public transportation

fleurdesel wrote:From Craigslist posting dated 12/17:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/fbh/511933294.html

Busy 2 ½ star restaurant Campagnola in Evanston opening a second location with a new concept. Set to open in January, [our] gorgeous new space has 25 tables in [an] open dining room. Seating for 20 guests at the bar -- all with a view of our handcrafted wood-burning pizza oven.
Location: 1245 Chicago Avenue, 1 storefront south of Dempster, walking distance from public transportation

Is that the old audio - visual plant?

nr706 wrote:

fleurdesel wrote:From Craigslist posting dated 12/17:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/fbh/511933294.html

Busy 2 ½ star restaurant Campagnola in Evanston opening a second location with a new concept. Set to open in January, [our] gorgeous new space has 25 tables in [an] open dining room. Seating for 20 guests at the bar -- all with a view of our handcrafted wood-burning pizza oven.
Location: 1245 Chicago Avenue, 1 storefront south of Dempster, walking distance from public transportation

Is that the old audio - visual plant?

I believe it's the building that used to house Khaki (a clothing store), immediately south of Cottage Jewelry.

From Chicago Magazine:

A new restaurant in Logan Square sports a flagstone-covered bar, a wood-beamed ceiling, and an antler chandelier. It’s true. Tim Leahy opened Rustik (2515 N. California Ave.; 773-235-0002), his “modern urban lodge,” last Saturday. Not only is the place done up to feel like a woodsy lodge, but there’s a glassed-in atrium behind the bar—a seasonally changing garden, if you will—which currently features three evergreens. Sounds like a kick to dig into mac and cheese or sliders on Parker House buns next to the great outdoors. And here’s another newbie for Chicago—German butter cake. It’s a dessert apparently indigenous to Philadelphia, Leahy’s hometown. We never heard of it. “It’s yeast dough but basically like a hard crust on top,” says Leahy. “You cut into it and it’s just butter and sugar inside. A hard crust with a gooey center.” Sounds like the place itself.

For disclosure purposes I feel moved to state that the owners are friends of mine.

Anybody know what's become of B & B bagels on Touhy (or is this old news?) I went by yesterday for some mini bagels for Christmas breakfast and the marquis was blank, and it was dark - though they still had tables and chairs inside and the hours posted on the door. They're also not on GrubHub anymore that I can find...I'll have to call later this week...

???
2835 W. Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60689
(773) 761-8805

The awnings are up announcing the pending opening of "Crisp" at the former location of the Rice Box on Broadway in East Lakeview. They have a website. But, it doesn't convey much detail about the place. "Budha" Bowls and Funke Chicken are advertised. Whatever that means.

Darren72 wrote:

nr706 wrote:

fleurdesel wrote:From Craigslist posting dated 12/17:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/fbh/511933294.html

Busy 2 ½ star restaurant Campagnola in Evanston opening a second location with a new concept. Set to open in January, [our] gorgeous new space has 25 tables in [an] open dining room. Seating for 20 guests at the bar -- all with a view of our handcrafted wood-burning pizza oven.
Location: 1245 Chicago Avenue, 1 storefront south of Dempster, walking distance from public transportation

Is that the old audio - visual plant?

I believe it's the building that used to house Khaki (a clothing store), immediately south of Cottage Jewelry.

Yes that's the building. It is going ot be called Wild Geese and the pizza oven is a thing of beauty, a fully domed, woodburning affair that looks extremely well put together. If you search for Wild Geese on YouTube and see a video of its' construction. Steve from Campagnolo was very enthusiastic about the quality of the pizzas. The floor is a very thick soapstone which should give the oven much more thermal mass and make the crusts better.

In addition to the food, there will also be a very large live music venue midway in the building and recording studios in the back. All in all it is a very ambitious venture for Evanston and I am looking forward to it food, music, et. al.

As mentioned here Tony Hu of Lao Sze Chuan is opening two new restaurants, Lao Beijing and Lao Shanghai.

Both are in Chinatown Square, Lao Shanghai will be going in the recently closed KS Seafood and Lao Beijing where Dragon King was. Tony said he was shooting for a January 1 opening for both.

Enjoy,
Gary

Wow, Dragon King closed? That's too bad.

The two new spinoffs of LSC sound great, though.

G Wiv wrote:As mentioned here Tony Hu of Lao Sze Chuan is opening two new restaurants, Lao Beijing and Lao Shanghai.

Both are in Chinatown Square, Lao Shanghai will be going in the recently closed KS Seafood and Lao Beijing where Dragon King was. Tony said he was shooting for a January 1 opening for both.

Tony is a very smart man.

Octarine wrote:

Darren72 wrote:

nr706 wrote:

fleurdesel wrote:From Craigslist posting dated 12/17:

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/fbh/511933294.html

Busy 2 ½ star restaurant Campagnola in Evanston opening a second location with a new concept. Set to open in January, [our] gorgeous new space has 25 tables in [an] open dining room. Seating for 20 guests at the bar -- all with a view of our handcrafted wood-burning pizza oven.
Location: 1245 Chicago Avenue, 1 storefront south of Dempster, walking distance from public transportation

Is that the old audio - visual plant?

I believe it's the building that used to house Khaki (a clothing store), immediately south of Cottage Jewelry.

Yes that's the building. It is going ot be called Wild Geese and the pizza oven is a thing of beauty, a fully domed, woodburning affair that looks extremely well put together. If you search for Wild Geese on YouTube and see a video of its' construction. Steve from Campagnolo was very enthusiastic about the quality of the pizzas. The floor is a very thick soapstone which should give the oven much more thermal mass and make the crusts better.

In addition to the food, there will also be a very large live music venue midway in the building and recording studios in the back. All in all it is a very ambitious venture for Evanston and I am looking forward to it food, music, et. al.

Those of you who live in Evanston or drive down Chicago Avenue will remember this sign that used to be on the front of the building. It came down some months ago, and so did the web site. I'm kind of surprised that those of us who registered and posted comments to their weird site haven't heard from the Campagnola people.



>>Brent

Lettuce Entertain You is also opening Frankie’s 5th Floor Pizzeria on the outside of the old Tucci Benucch space (900 N. Michigan Ave.) in November. “The oven is being put in now,” says Lettuce chairman Rich Melman. “The better it tastes, the faster we can open.” And early next year, Melman will launch Frankie’s Scaloppine, on the inside—another Italian idea he’s had for a long time.

My wife was quite disappointed to get the following email from LEY today. She loves their chop salads.

To all our Tucci Benucch fans, we have some news to share. Tucci Benucch at 900 N. Michigan Ave. will close the night of January 5, 2008. Tucci has been a Magnificent Mile favorite for over 19 years. Thank you for your support over the years.

As you may already know, we recently created Frankie's Fifth Floor Pizzeria on the patio adjacent to Tucci Benucch. Thank you for your great comments and response!

Now we are ready to begin building the exciting phase two of the concept, Frankie's Scaloppini, which will open in the current Tucci Benucch space on the fifth floor of the 900 North Michigan Shops.

Look for more details on Frankie's Scaloppini in February.

Mas is closed.

A friend in the know says it's because the owners didn't get along anymore and wanted out.

tem wrote:Mas is closed.

¡Mas no más!

From the desk of my goofball alderman:

Community Meeting on Proposed Liquor License for New Restaurant
Dear Neighbor,

I am writing to invite you to a community meeting on a proposal for an incidental liquor license for a new restaurant located at 1146 W. Pratt. The meeting will be held at 1146 W. Pratt on Monday, January 7th, at 7 p.m.

The site is currently occupied by Cafe Suron. The owner of Cafe Suron is selling the restaurant to Aykut Sinanoglu, who plans to open a new restaurant called Tas, which will offer Mediterranean cuisine. The plans include an application for an incidental consumption on premises liquor license, which allows restaurants to serve liquor,

I held a similar meeting in April 2005 to discuss Cafe Suron's request for the same type of liquor license, and it was well received. Mr. Sinanoglu currently manages six restaurants. I am interested in hearing your views on this application before I make my recommendation to the Mayor's License Commissioner.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please share your thoughts by replying to this e-mail or calling my office at 773-338-5796.

Thanks for your input.

Sincerely,

Joe Moore

So we lose Mas, but gain Tas. Even-Steven.

Losing Cafe Suron is more significant. I really liked their roasted quail.

Amen to that. It is the best delivery in the neighborhood. And I'm addicted to Suron's kashke-bademjan.* Here's hoping I can get my fix with the new owners.

*Anybody know if other places offer it? It's an appetizer described thusly: "Seasoned eggplant dip, with caramelized onions, whey, and mint."

It is truly sad...where else can you get a quail dinner delivered?

Mhays wrote:where else can you get a quail dinner delivered?

Here. By definition.

Questions:

- Does anyone know if Wild Geese (see below from The Dish), is open yet? Tried to call today and couldn't get through...

Steve Schwartz, the owner of Campagnola (815 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 847-475-6100), is almost set to open Wild Geese (1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston), an eclectic restaurant with a huge bar. . “We had a guy come from Vermont who built the wood-burning oven,” Schwartz says. “It’s absolutely beautiful.” Pizzas and small plates will be on the menu, but Schwartz is reluctant to pigeonhole the restaurant, which shares a common performance/party space with a neighboring recording studio.

- Does anyone know what's going in the old Zepher's space on Wilson at Ravenswood? It looks like another Chicago Ale House, but I'm not sure....

Does anyone know if Wild Geese (see below from The Dish), is open yet? Tried to call today and couldn't get through...

It's going to be a while, from the looks of it; my last look at it was Saturday, the 5th. Nothing inside yet, other than the odd workman and construction paraphernalia. My estimate, strictly based on appearances: no sooner than 2/1 at the outside.

sundevilpeg wrote:

Does anyone know if Wild Geese (see below from The Dish), is open yet? Tried to call today and couldn't get through...

It's going to be a while, from the looks of it; my last look at it was Saturday, the 5th. Nothing inside yet, other than the odd workman and construction paraphernalia. My estimate, strictly based on appearances: no sooner than 2/1 at the outside.

Agreed.
It appears there is still work to be done.

two openings coming to Wicker Parkish / Ukranian Village / HP / Smith Park (let's just call it West Town for now..)

I was in one of my new fav little wine shops A.Vision (Augusta/Damen) when I ran into two guys starting a restaurant at 2700 W Chicago ...

NXXT Restaurant & Bar
2700 W Chicago
(773) 489-6998
http://nxxtchicago.com/ will be the web site, but it's currently just showing their PR firm's site...

their PR firm must be busy at work, though.. they seem to have a google phonebook entry, and there's a blurb about them on metromix ... http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-cl ... 95/content

...opening in early February... cuisine will be a wide variety of American, sounded perhaps kind of comfort food from some of the dishes they named off.. one of the two guys i met was the chef, coming from Ba Ba Reeba.. they're aiming for something neighborhoody that you can go to for a casual dinner, yet nice enough to go on a date too (i think i got that right?).

...then this morning I ran into a girl I went to school with in my pootunk town in front of her new shop... she's opening a wine and chocolate shop in the next month or two on at 2113 W Division on the south side of the street... Choclate Grape.. no real other details as of yet... the wine aspect sounds like a wine bar and will be for consumption on premises, not retail sales. (which is a bummer in my book!) ... and not that i'm skeptical, but i'm interested in knowing what will be unique from the 2 other wine bars nearby!

(i swear someone could make a great business if they'd open a retail wine shop on division street...there's 6 places for sushi in that stretch, but not a single place to buy wine in the entire division street stretch of wicker park /UKV ! well, except for a convenience store or two that sell sub-grocery store wine... and really gourmet food in general is lacking... until recently with August, though August doesn't sell wine and they're a block away on the wrong side of ashland)

ddane I couldn't agree with you more. I was at Coast the other day and nowhere between Division and Damen is there a place to buy Sake, including Jewel. I had half an hour to walk, buy wine and get to the restaurant, so no time to run over to Sams.

You can buy sake at Olivias on Wabansia.

New vegan restaurant opening in the former Cajun Charlie's/New Soul Cafe site. I didn't write down the name as I was driving by, but it specified vegan and had an "opening soon" sign in the door.

1601 Simpson St # 3
Evanston, IL 60201

nicinchic wrote:ddane I couldn't agree with you more. I was at Coast the other day and nowhere between Division and Damen is there a place to buy Sake, including Jewel. I had half an hour to walk, buy wine and get to the restaurant, so no time to run over to Sams.

by the division stretch i was really referring to the stretch of division street in wicker park that's between ashland and western ave...

but yes going north even there the choices are lacking elsewhere in WP too... goddess & grocer... olivia's i guess(?) ... cellar rat... bin wine cafe

New signage at 1109 W Bryn Mawr (the former Franko's) advertises: Little India Restaurant & Pizzeria. Hmm.

R.I.P. La Strada, 225 N. Michigan Ave.

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just walking down damen, and saw a public notice sign in the window of giraudon shoe shop which is closing down. it said "tod's wine shop." there are quite a few places to buy wine, olivia's and goddess.. wonder what this one will be like.