tem wrote:Mas is closed.

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

Yes, we heard the same thing...too bad.

Looks like Erba is changing direction...

From Craigslist:

New Southwestern restaurant in Lincoln Square looking for servers, bussers, kitchen manager, line cooks and dishwasher. Please apply in person at 4520 N. Lincoln.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/fbh/537880531.html

Paul SL wrote:R.I.P. La Strada, 225 N. Michigan Ave.

The suburban location still exists: 2380 Lakewood Boulevard (at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, 847/765-1700.

Sugar Bowl in downtown Des Plaines has shut.

Gail's Carriage Inn has moved from Mount Prospect to 1145 Elmhurst Road, Des Plaines (formerly Grandma Sally's).

Walking up Clark yesterday just north of Lawrence, I noticed a sign for "Monticchio" that asks, "ami la pizza?" So I can only assume this will be a pizza joint.

The sign is on a first floor retail space in a building just north of Rainbo Village. I've been watching the condos being built/renovated in that stretch of Clark and have wondered what will go in. I heard a rumor that Argo Tea is going in one of the spots as well, but I've seen no signs and the rumor is unsubstantiated.

Are we sure that Erba's changing... because the owners also own Brioso, which is a Mexican restaurant. Could that address simply be their office location? I sure hope Erba's not changing... I love their cherry stuffed pork chops and apple crostada.

LA chef Govind Armstrong is opening Table 8 in Chicago:

http://312diningdiva.blogspot.com/2008/ ... te_15.html

blipsman wrote:Are we sure that Erba's changing... because the owners also own Brioso, which is a Mexican restaurant. Could that address simply be their office location? I sure hope Erba's not changing... I love their cherry stuffed pork chops and apple crostada.

Or it could be the old She She Space across the street. I heard that was going to be southwestern food.

Just whatI've heard though, I have no data or reliable source to back any of this up.

JLenart wrote:

blipsman wrote:Are we sure that Erba's changing... because the owners also own Brioso, which is a Mexican restaurant. Could that address simply be their office location? I sure hope Erba's not changing... I love their cherry stuffed pork chops and apple crostada.

Or it could be the old She She Space across the street. I heard that was going to be southwestern food.

Just whatI've heard though, I have no data or reliable source to back any of this up.

4520 N. Lincoln is definitely Erba's address . . . now whether the help being sought is for Erba or something else, I have no idea.

BR wrote:According to the sign in the window, Con Sabor Cubano is coming soon to 2739 W. Lawrence, and it claims to be featuring "authentic Cuban steak sandwiches."

Con Sabor Cubano is now open.

BR wrote:

JLenart wrote:

blipsman wrote:Are we sure that Erba's changing... because the owners also own Brioso, which is a Mexican restaurant. Could that address simply be their office location? I sure hope Erba's not changing... I love their cherry stuffed pork chops and apple crostada.

Or it could be the old She She Space across the street. I heard that was going to be southwestern food.

Just whatI've heard though, I have no data or reliable source to back any of this up.

4520 N. Lincoln is definitely Erba's address . . . now whether the help being sought is for Erba or something else, I have no idea.

According to Dish, it's Brioso, NOT Erba that will be changing:


Brioso (4603 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-989-9000), the Mexican restaurant in Lincoln Square from the folks who brought you Erba (4520 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-989-4200), is transforming into Jack Rabbit, a Southwestern-themed spot. “We’re focusing on the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas,” says Alan Pirhofer, the exec chef. “It’s not going to be Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex tends to be really spicy.”

My memory may be betraying me, but from back in my younger years when the previous mural was still up on side of the furniture store of the Western station parking lot... wasn't there a bar either on Lincoln or on Western just south of the brown line tracks called Jack Rabbit? Remembered it had a cartoon logo of a a bunny dressed up as a sherrif.

It was on Lincoln-I'm not sure it was "Jack Rabbit", but Rabbit was in the name.

Meelo wrote:According to Dish, it's Brioso, NOT Erba that will be changing:

Nice to hear. The few times I've been to Erba have always been enjoyable and the place has been busy.

jeffcoloma wrote:My memory may be betraying me, but from back in my younger years when the previous mural was still up on side of the furniture store of the Western station parking lot... wasn't there a bar either on Lincoln or on Western just south of the brown line tracks called Jack Rabbit? Remembered it had a cartoon logo of a a bunny dressed up as a sherrif.

Are you thinking of Ricochet's (at the corner of Lincoln and Eastwood)? As in "Ricochet Rabbit"?

On south side of Diversey, a few doors east of Lincoln/Racine, in the new construction piece that replaced the Schnakenberg Ace Hardware entrance on Diversey, is a place not-yet-opened but with signage-in-place called Sarpino's Pizzeria. Is it a chain? The sign has that je ne sais quoi slickness that sort of says chain. And so does the name. But it might not be.

riddlemay wrote:... is a place not-yet-opened but with signage-in-place called Sarpino's Pizzeria. Is it a chain? The sign has that je ne sais quoi slickness that sort of says chain. And so does the name.\

http://www.sarpinos.com/

I guess my je ne sais quoi slickness radar is pretty damned good, then.

nr706 wrote:http://www.sarpinos.com/

They look to be pretty prevalent across the country with an interesting set of international locations as well, in places like Malaysia and Indonesia.

I wonder how their pizza and sandwiches are.

Passed Le Francais yesterday and there is a for sale sign out from. I guess this means that it won't be reopening after the supposed fire

jakekate wrote:

jeffcoloma wrote:My memory may be betraying me, but from back in my younger years when the previous mural was still up on side of the furniture store of the Western station parking lot... wasn't there a bar either on Lincoln or on Western just south of the brown line tracks called Jack Rabbit? Remembered it had a cartoon logo of a a bunny dressed up as a sherrif.

Are you thinking of Ricochet's (at the corner of Lincoln and Eastwood)? As in "Ricochet Rabbit"?

bing, Bing, BING!

http://www.ricochetstavern.com/

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

nr706 wrote:http://www.sarpinos.com/

They look to be pretty prevalent across the country with an interesting set of international locations as well, in places like Malaysia and Indonesia.

I wonder how their pizza and sandwiches are.

Think Papa John's and you won't be too far off. Can't speak to the sandwiches, though.

The menu posted outside the new LEYE concept "Frankie's Pizzeria" at 900 N. Michigan has a section called "Pizza," and then another section called "Sardinian Pizza." Is there such a thing? The subhead under this says something like "Thin, Crispy, Simple."

riddlemay wrote:The menu posted outside the new LEYE concept "Frankie's Pizzeria" at 900 N. Michigan has a section called "Pizza," and then another section called "Sardinian Pizza." Is there such a thing? The subhead under this says something like "Thin, Crispy, Simple."

I don't know if it's a real thing or not, but I did have one a couple of weeks ago. It's kind of like a flatbread. There's no sauce (other than olive oil) and then whatever the pizza toppings are. I had one with aged parmesian, anchovies, and maybe something else. It was good, but significantly degraded as the pizza cooled down.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:I wonder how their pizza and sandwiches are.

This may tell you something. From their pizza menu:

Tuscanny
Roasted red peppers, chicken breast, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh garlic, green peppers & green olives

Guess they've never been to Itally.

Chicago Pizza Company (discussed in a couple of other threads) in Rolling Meadows appears to be gone. (Either that or they took last Friday night off...)

My son really likes the calzone wraps at Sarpinos!

That is all we've had there but plan on trying the pizzas!

Tie Me Up Noodles on Diversey has "closed". The exterior has been re-painted and there is a sign up for the grand opening of "Miss Asia". Food is described as "Thai & Asian Cuisine".

Also, I believe that Crisp on Broadway (a bit north of Surf) is now open. Apparently it's some sort of Korean fast food place. I'm probably going to stop by tonight to check out their wings.

jesteinf wrote:Tie Me Up Noodles on Diversey has "closed". The exterior has been re-painted and there is a sign up for the grand opening of "Miss Asia". Food is described as "Thai & Asian Cuisine".

Josh,

Thanks for the reminder, I meant to post that last week when I was at Sticky Rice Kritsana, the owner, mentioned her husband and a partner were opening Mis Asia, a pan Asian spot, where Tie me up once was.

Miss Asia
434 W Diversey
Chicago, IL

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

jesteinf wrote:Tie Me Up Noodles on Diversey has "closed". The exterior has been re-painted and there is a sign up for the grand opening of "Miss Asia". Food is described as "Thai & Asian Cuisine".

Josh,

Thanks for the reminder, I meant to post that last week when I was at Sticky Rice Kritsana, the owner, mentioned her husband and a partner were opening Mis Asia, a pan Asian spot, where Tie me up once was.

Miss Asia
434 W Diversey
Chicago, IL

Enjoy,
Gary

Well that's encouraging! I was afraid it was just going to be Tie Me Up, but with a new name. Thanks for that update.

I'm telling you, the food in this neighborhood is slowly nut surely getting better.

jesteinf wrote:Also, I believe that Crisp on Broadway (a bit north of Surf) is now open. Apparently it's some sort of Korean fast food place. I'm probably going to stop by tonight to check out their wings.

I'll be curious to hear how their food is. The premise of renaming bi bim bop "buddha bowl" doesn't instill the greatest confidence though.

G Wiv wrote:mentioned her husband and a partner were opening Mis Asia, a pan Asian spot, where Tie me up once was.

Miss Asia
434 W Diversey
Chicago, IL

That's impressive lineage. Sounds promising.


Also opening just down the block at 543 W Diversey is a second location for Sushi X.