it wasn't made clear in that article you linked us to, whether fox and obel is closing its current store, or adding a second store. does anyone know?

According to Crain's, it is a second store. Their Streeterville location will still be open for business.

thanks, big willi. i'm glad, as the other is more convenient for me. jj

Two "Coming Soon" signs on Milwaukee north of Lake Cook Road (is that Wheeling, Buffalo Grove or Riverwoods?)
Mi Mexico, which I think is the old Weber Grill spot
Adam's Ribs and Ale

Noticed a Halsted Street Deli sign on the empty space in my building's pedway (233. N Michigan). So, Illinois Center workers - rejoice, a new option is born.

Maybe they'll have a decent pastrami sandwich

I've long thought it odd that with all the high-priced condos in the Loop and South Loop there was nothing in the way of an upscale gourmet food shop like Fox & Obel. (There's Panozzo's and Pastoral, but they don't quite compare to F&O. There's Whole Foods too, but it isn't walkable.)

The Sun-Times says F&O will be 25,000 square feet. I was going to ask for some comparisons, but I found some myself. The current F&O is 22,000 square feet according to a blurb on their website. If you're really interested in this, you can take a look at this Whole Foods website that lists the square footage for most of their stores. Lakeview and Gold Coast are about 30,000 and South Loop is 55,000. (Amazingly, the new WF at 1500 N. Kingsbury---near North and Clybourn---will be 80,000 square feet!)

fj123 wrote:(Amazingly, the new WF at 1500 N. Kingsbury---near North and Clybourn---will be 80,000 square feet!)

My first thought was to wonder if this will replace (rather than augment) the North and Sheffield store, and since the website says "Relocation," I guess it's the former. Wonder what will go into that space.

riddlemay wrote:

fj123 wrote:(Amazingly, the new WF at 1500 N. Kingsbury---near North and Clybourn---will be 80,000 square feet!)

My first thought was to wonder if this will replace (rather than augment) the North and Sheffield store, and since the website says "Relocation," I guess it's the former. Wonder what will go into that space.

I have also heard that the new Kingsbury store will replace the original in the mall. I think it was a decision based on space needs and lease.

Also, they are opening another WF in Naperville this summer, target is July...not certain of location, but it's supposed to be 65,000 square feet.

fj123 wrote:I've long thought it odd that with all the high-priced condos in the Loop and South Loop there was nothing in the way of an upscale gourmet food shop like Fox & Obel. (There's Panozzo's and Pastoral, but they don't quite compare to F&O. There's Whole Foods too, but it isn't walkable.)

The wine manager at F&O tells me that they will be adding a wine bar close to the cafe, and extending their summer hours until midnight. The aim is to capture more foot traffic to and from Navy Pier and surrounding businesses like DeLaCosta.

So, no, they are not closing the original store.

dug wrote:the much anticipated pepitones 5437 n. broadway.

update:open for barely 7 month's pepitones in edgewater is no longer,after a recent devastating early morning fire the restaurant remains closed and boarded up,the phone is no longer in service however i have learned that this time there are no decisions on whether or not they will rebuild and reopen.

"Mee Wong" has now been joined by other establishments, many food-related, along Lincoln between Fullerton and Altgeld. It's really kind of amazing. The whole stretch has been turned, convincingly, into Lincoln Ave. in the 1930s. It's worth taking a detour to go through the time-space warp.

Do fake restaurant openings and closings, comings and goings count?

riddlemay wrote:"Mee Wong" has now been joined by other establishments, many food-related, along Lincoln between Fullerton and Altgeld. It's really kind of amazing. The whole stretch has been turned, convincingly, into Lincoln Ave. in the 1930s. It's worth taking a detour to go through the time-space warp.

Do fake restaurant openings and closings, comings and goings count?

Here's a picture:

http://chicagoist.com/2008/05/16/public_enemies_1.php

If I get a chance, I'm defintely going to take a drive down that stretch of Lincoln.

tem wrote:Fox and Obel & Flat Top Grill moving into Carson's building

I wish F&O would open a store outside the downtown area...

I, too, wish their second store would have been planned for outside downtown, but the new store will be a good option for lunch or dinner after the Art Institute or Symphony Center.

I'm very, very pleased, though, that F&O will be one of the major occupants of the Louis Sullivan building. I've been worried about the building's fate (in terms of tenants) since Carson's departure. I love that building; I'm so glad it will be a food destination (unlike the Gage)!

FWIW, I'm very glad that there will be a downtown F&O. I've been hoping for an upscale market in the Loop for awhile. I can't say how many times I've needed extra ingredients for dinner or good cheese or olives or wine to finish a dish and don't want to have to get in the car and make a special stop after work. With the new store, I can pick up these items during lunch and stick them in the refrigerator at work for the rest of the day.

i don't know what kind of special ingredients you're wanting, but have you been to pastoral on lake? they have great cheese, an olive bar, tons of specialty canned items (various pickled items, other gourmet noshes), sausages, some import deli meats, and a good wine selection

I didn't get a chance to check out the sign on the door, but Cold Comfort on North Ave is closed.

I've lived around the corner for 12 years and while the sandwiches were always decent, the brunches I'd had were usually just OK. The last couple years I never really saw a crowd even on the weekends so it's probably no surprise.

edit: the sign simply says that they closed the business after 9 years & thanks for the patronage.

Spotted on Craigslist: Coffee and Ice Cream Shop for Sale. It's Bacio Cafe at 1217 W. Devon. Asking price is $25k, but seller seems flexible. I have no idea whether that's a good deal.

fleurdesel wrote:

Back a few months ago, I was told by someone at Julius Meinl that the new (Montrose and Lincoln) location would probably be opening in April. So I called a few days ago, and was told "we're aiming for late summer."

Julius Meinl has posted a Craigslist ad for all positions for the new location, so it seems a good bet that they'll open sooner.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/fbh/646140719.html

They're open! Stopped by this morning for Coffee and a bacon and cheddar scone. The place was jumping.

it looks like an italian restaurant will be going into the space where Timos used to be , on halsted and grand. i caught sight of a small sign in the window while driving by on saturday. the name was 2 words and the first was 'piccolo', but i couldnt catch the second word.

Piccolo Sogno.

Hopefully it will open in time (no pun intended) to enjoy the back patio.

The Logan Bar and Grill will be opening sometime this month - right across from the California Blue line stop. It's owned by the same owners of Northside and Black Beetle.

http://www.loganchicago.com/

The former Gioio's spot at Clark and Wrightwood is undergoing construction finally. The permit holder is "Aloha Cafe".

Perhaps nearby Aloha Grill is expanding to a larger location?

Mike G wrote:Piccolo Sogno.

Hopefully it will open in time (no pun intended) to enjoy the back patio.

Their target opening date is July 16th. Former chef from Coco Pazzo, Tony Priolo, is heading the kitchen.

www.piccolosognorestaurant.com

Korean Chicken 'N Beer franchise slated for Arlington Heights

this morning as i passed by the very disgraceful Amelia's at Grand/Ogden (Mexican or Italian today? who knows)... They had a sign up saying that "Fiesta Mexicana" was coming soon. I wonder if it's the same owner trying to ditch the nasty past, or new owner trying to ditch the nasty past... (Amelia's still stands as the worst customer service restaurant experience I've ever had... brought me the wrong entree and the manager and I argued back and forth for about 20 minutes, they wanted me to pay for both the entree I didn't order and the one I did)

dddane wrote:this morning as i passed by the very disgraceful Amelia's at Grand/Ogden (Mexican or Italian today? who knows)... They had a sign up saying that "Fiesta Mexicana" was coming soon. I wonder if it's the same owner trying to ditch the nasty past, or new owner trying to ditch the nasty past... (Amelia's still stands as the worst customer service restaurant experience I've ever had... brought me the wrong entree and the manager and I argued back and forth for about 20 minutes, they wanted me to pay for both the entree I didn't order and the one I did)

I noticed that on the bus the other day - it's a daily game to see if they've switched cuisines now.

I also don't think I've ever seen anyone eating there.

My Pie on Clark has closed, per the Chicago Tribune's Stew blog

My Pie, which has been a fixture in the Lincoln Park area (and a crucial part of my collegiate dining options) for 31 years, closed its Clark Street location over the weekend. Rich Aronson, part of the family that started the My Pie pizzeria mini-chain a generation ago, says the unavailability of an affordable lease led to the restaurant’s demise. “We knew it was coming,” he said. “They [the landlords] had different plans for the place, and the rent was skyrocketing by four, five times. We want to do something else in the neighborhood, but it’s just difficult to find anything.”

That's too bad. My Pie certainly isn't my favorite pizza, but the old school atmosphere in this place was fantastic (salad bar, arcade games, etc).

jesteinf wrote:My Pie on Clark has closed, per the Chicago Tribune's Stew blog

My Pie, which has been a fixture in the Lincoln Park area (and a crucial part of my collegiate dining options) for 31 years, closed its Clark Street location over the weekend. Rich Aronson, part of the family that started the My Pie pizzeria mini-chain a generation ago, says the unavailability of an affordable lease led to the restaurant’s demise. “We knew it was coming,” he said. “They [the landlords] had different plans for the place, and the rent was skyrocketing by four, five times. We want to do something else in the neighborhood, but it’s just difficult to find anything.”

That's too bad. My Pie certainly isn't my favorite pizza, but the old school atmosphere in this place was fantastic (salad bar, arcade games, etc).

wow, I hope the one on Damen is unaffected completely... top-3 thin in the city for me.

Sign in window, "Just Opened":

Heavenly
Gelato & Ice Cream

SW corner of Milwaukee & Sawyer, across from the McDonald's, just tucked on Sawyer. I will have to try soon & report back......

miss ellen

What happened to the Milk and Honey outpost under the Damen Blue Line stop? I couldn't read the sign from the bus...