Openings and Closings, Comings and Goings
Openings and Closings, Comings and Goings
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Post #241 - November 1st, 2007, 4:55 pmMinelli Bros. is apparently going into the mall up the street (Oak Mill?), which is weird for their kind of business, I think.
I haven't been in that mall since the laserdisc store closed.Watch Sky Full of Bacon, the Chicago food HD podcast!
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Post #242 - November 1st, 2007, 6:44 pmMike G wrote:Minelli Bros. is apparently going into the mall up the street (Oak Mill?), which is weird for their kind of business, I think.
I haven't been in that mall since the laserdisc store closed.
Minelli Bros is now in the Oak Mill Mall. Still a full butcher counter but they've eliminated liquor and groceries and have added a gelato counter. A wide variety of flavors and they sample!
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Post #243 - November 1st, 2007, 9:52 pmGiovanna-
I think you have enough information to find Minelli Bros.
-The GP
(I so rarely have "insider information", yet two people posted over four hours after my post with the same information I provided. What are the chances of that happening??*)
* pretty high with this group, I know.
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Post #244 - November 2nd, 2007, 8:32 amriddlemay wrote:This reminds me that when I was in the Bloomingdale's building this week, next to Tucci Benucch there was some construction behind some boarding that announced an affiliated pizzeria of some sort to come. Guess LEYE is all about the pizza these days.
From this week's Dish: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.
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Post #245 - November 3rd, 2007, 10:45 pmMike G wrote:He's supposed to be the chef at Alhambra these days. Who knows what's going on there.
I asked the owner of Marrakesh Espresso., Boush, about the Alhambra news the last time I saw him at the Billy Goat several weeks ago. (He works at both the bar and his restaurant. Busy guy.) He said he was no longer involved in Alhambra.
But just today I saw the windows of M.E. all papered over.
Wish I knew what gives."Why don't you dance with me? I'm not no Limburger."
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Post #246 - November 8th, 2007, 7:57 pmPuerto Vallarta Restaurant at Wells and Hubbard has closed. Likely done in by Lalo's, around the corner on La Salle.
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Post #247 - November 8th, 2007, 8:31 pmPaul SL wrote:Puerto Vallarta Restaurant at Wells and Hubbard has closed. Likely done in by Lalo's, around the corner on La Salle.
Or maybe just by its severe mediocrity, at least in my very limited experience.Joe G.
"Whatever may be wrong with the world, at least it has some good things to eat." -- Cowboy Jack Clement
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Post #248 - November 11th, 2007, 5:05 amnr706 wrote:I tried to go to Andersonville's Col-Ubas Steak House tonight before - as I'd read - it was supposed to close in November. But te door was locked and the windows were papered over, so apparently it didn't make it to November. Luckily, Turkish Cuisine was nearby, so the evening was saved.
Wow, sad to see Col-Ubas is gone! I really wanted to try that restaurant out.
Did someone say here that the now ex-owner of Col-Ubas is involved with a restaurant at 2739 W. Lawrence? I would gladly make a special trip at some point to there, if he/she also is involved with this restaurant on Lawrence.
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Post #249 - November 11th, 2007, 9:37 amdumpstermcnuggets wrote:Wow, sad to see Col-Ubas is gone! I really wanted to try that restaurant out.
Did someone say here that the now ex-owner of Col-Ubas is involved with a restaurant at 2739 W. Lawrence? I would gladly make a special trip at some point to there, if he/she also is involved with this restaurant on Lawrence.
Trust me, you're not really missing that much with Col-Ubas gone. It was decent but nothing more.
Above, I posted that Con Sabor Cubano is opening up at 2739 Lawrence, but I have no information on the ownership of the place.
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Post #250 - November 11th, 2007, 10:51 amgermuska wrote:Or maybe just by its severe mediocrity, at least in my very limited experience.
While you're probably right, it saddens me at least a little when any restaurant fails, because it took with it someone's hopes, hard work and good intentions.
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Post #251 - November 11th, 2007, 2:47 pmHas anyone heard anything about why Cosmospolitan at California and Augusta closed? It was so sudden and so soon after it opened, and it seemed to be getting fairly good write-ups.Anthony Bourdain on Barack Obama: "He's from Chicago, so he knows what good food is."
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Post #252 - November 11th, 2007, 3:50 pmgeli wrote:Has anyone heard anything about why Cosmospolitan at California and Augusta closed? It was so sudden and so soon after it opened, and it seemed to be getting fairly good write-ups.
Just not enough customers according to the guys at the garden center @ thomas/cali. Gotta think they didn't have enough reserves to withstand a few months of building a base. Too bad, food was pretty good, friendly service and the space was nice.
Hopefully someone else will give that space another shot sometime soon.
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Post #253 - November 11th, 2007, 5:24 pmsassafrass wrote:Mike G wrote:He's supposed to be the chef at Alhambra these days. Who knows what's going on there.
I asked the owner of Marrakesh Espresso., Boush, about the Alhambra news the last time I saw him at the Billy Goat several weeks ago. (He works at both the bar and his restaurant. Busy guy.) He said he was no longer involved in Alhambra.
But just today I saw the windows of M.E. all papered over.
Wish I knew what gives.
Was just out for a walk---Marrakesh Espresso is no more. Coming soon: a byob sushi place. It was called Grand Katani or something...I can't remember the second word for sure, but the signs said "Coming Soon" "Sushi" and "BYOB". The paper is down from the windows. Tables are covered in white cloths and the two front window areas are being turned into platforms with low tables where you sit on pillows.
We shall see....
I was also struck by how many other storefronts on Damen are now "for rent" or "for sale".
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Post #254 - November 14th, 2007, 1:22 pmHalf & Half next to the Damen Ave. blue line stop in Wicker Park has closed. To be replaced by "The Goddess and Breakfast". The photo shop next door also closed so I wonder if it will be expanding into that space as well.
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Post #255 - November 14th, 2007, 2:02 pmtem wrote:Half & Half next to the Damen Ave. blue line stop in Wicker Park has closed. To be replaced by "The Goddess and Breakfast". The photo shop next door also closed so I wonder if it will be expanding into that space as well.
Okay - this is odd; Debra Sharpe owns both Half and Half and The Goddess and Grocer. Apparently, the only motivation for changing the name is because she believes she has a reliable "brand" name in "Goddess."
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Post #256 - November 14th, 2007, 2:58 pmMy understanding is that, rather than "The Goddess and Breakfast' in that location, G&G is going to start opening earlier (6am?) at its current location. I've heard the Half & Half space is going to become a Dunkin Donuts.
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Post #257 - November 14th, 2007, 3:18 pmgleam wrote:'ve heard the Half & Half space is going to become a Dunkin Donuts.
i've heard they are taking H&H's assets over at the grocer and yes i've heard the dunkin donuts rumor too... but who knows, i'm sure we're all reading these rumors in the same places
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Post #258 - November 14th, 2007, 3:21 pmdddane wrote:gleam wrote:'ve heard the Half & Half space is going to become a Dunkin Donuts.
i've heard they are taking H&H's assets over at the grocer and yes i've heard the dunkin donuts rumor too... but who knows, i'm sure we're all reading these rumors in the same places
More evidence of that neighborhood going down the shitter . . . geez, that was the original location of the Bongo Room and now it's going to be a Dunkin' Donuts?! Now I'm depressed.
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Post #259 - November 14th, 2007, 5:46 pmI noticed signage going up last week ...
Chicago Magazine's Dish wrote:Omaggio (1639 Orrington Ave., Evanston; 847-570-0500), the latest Evanston opening from Robert LaPata (La Petite Amelia, Über Burger), sounds like fun. For starters, it’s got an antipasto bar/oven/pizza-making station in the middle of the restaurant. “When you sit down at the bar, there will be antipasti laid out, and Dimitri will interact with you, entertain you,” says LaPata. “Like a sushi bar.” Dimitri? “He’s this artist from Bulgaria,” LaPata says. “We put an ad in the paper for a pizza bar tender—as in a pizza bar—and he walked in off the street one day. He is one of the most passionate people I have ever met about pizza.”
The rest of the menu, by chef Greg Mistak (Petite Amelia), ranges from pumpkin gnocchi with sage brown butter and biscotti and amaretto shaved over it to milk- braised pork shoulder.
. . . And Fromage
“We have the deli connected to Omaggio,” LaPata says. “A traditional salumeria. Meats and cheese by the pound. We will do about eight different kinds of deli sandwiches and antipasto salads. Olives, things like that.”
Just opened - will also be open for lunch starting 12/26 (January Evanston Lunch?)Last edited by nr706 on November 15th, 2007, 12:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post #260 - November 14th, 2007, 11:57 pmgleam wrote:My understanding is that, rather than "The Goddess and Breakfast' in that location, G&G is going to start opening earlier (6am?) at its current location. I've heard the Half & Half space is going to become a Dunkin Donuts.
There are "Goddess" signs up in the windows (which are papered over) which wouldn't make much sense if it is going to be a Dunkin' Donuts. The space next door is shown for rent so I guess they won't be expanding.
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Post #261 - November 15th, 2007, 6:30 amI read somewhere (Gaper's Block?) That there are issues with the building and it would just take too much money to correct the problems and keep using the space.
I'll look for the link.
SSDDHe was constantly reminded of how startlingly different a place the world was when viewed from a point only three feet to the left.
Deepdish Pizza = Casserole
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Post #262 - November 15th, 2007, 6:33 amheadcase wrote:I read somewhere (Gaper's Block?) That there are issues with the building and it would just take too much money to correct the problems and keep using the space.
I'll look for the link.
SSDD
Got it.From above link wrote:She says the capital improvements needed for the space were more than she was willing to take on these days.He was constantly reminded of how startlingly different a place the world was when viewed from a point only three feet to the left.
Deepdish Pizza = Casserole
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Post #263 - November 15th, 2007, 8:42 amnr706 wrote:I noticed signage going up last week ...Chicago Magazine's Dish wrote:Omaggio (1639 Orrington Ave., Evanston; 847-570-0500), the latest Evanston opening from Robert LaPata (La Petite Amelia, Über Burger), sounds like fun. For starters, it’s got an antipasto bar/oven/pizza-making station in the middle of the restaurant. “When you sit down at the bar, there will be antipasti laid out, and Dimitri will interact with you, entertain you,” says LaPata. “Like a sushi bar.” Dimitri? “He’s this artist from Bulgaria,” LaPata says. “We put an ad in the paper for a pizza bar tender—as in a pizza bar—and he walked in off the street one day. He is one of the most passionate people I have ever met about pizza.”
The rest of the menu, by chef Greg Mistak (Petite Amelia), ranges from pumpkin gnocchi with sage brown butter and biscotti and amaretto shaved over it to milk- braised pork shoulder.
. . . And Fromage
“We have the deli connected to Omaggio,” LaPata says. “A traditional salumeria. Meats and cheese by the pound. We will do about eight different kinds of deli sandwiches and antipasto salads. Olives, things like that.”
Just opened - will also be open for lunch starting 12/26 (January Evanston Lunch?)
Sounds promising, thanks for the heads up I will be checking out Omaggio within the next few weeks.
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Post #264 - November 15th, 2007, 2:36 pmtem wrote:gleam wrote:My understanding is that, rather than "The Goddess and Breakfast' in that location, G&G is going to start opening earlier (6am?) at its current location. I've heard the Half & Half space is going to become a Dunkin Donuts.
There are "Goddess" signs up in the windows (which are papered over) which wouldn't make much sense if it is going to be a Dunkin' Donuts. The space next door is shown for rent so I guess they won't be expanding.
I checked again today and the signs are for pointing people to the Goddess & Grocer for breakfast. I guess Punkin' Donuts is still a possibility.
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Post #265 - November 15th, 2007, 7:46 pmWell, it is official. Paddy O'Splaines Restaurant and Bar is opening (hopefully the first week of December according to a worker there) at 2434-36 W Montrose (Montrose and Artesian, just a block west of Western across from the Aldi). This spot is replacing the old sports bar there that was closed about 4 -5 years. Hopefully, it is a great addition to the neighborhood!
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Post #266 - November 15th, 2007, 7:48 pm
Paddy O'Splaines Restaurant and Bar is opening (hopefully the first week of December according to a worker there) at 2434-36 W Montrose (Montrose and Artesian, just a block west of Western across from the Aldi). This spot is replacing the old sports bar there that was closed about 4 -5 years. Hopefully, it is a great addition to the neighborhood!cleanplateclub wrote:It looks like there is something going in at Montrose and Artesian, just a block west of Western across from the Aldi. There used to be a sports bar there but it's been closed for 4 -5 years. I'm not sure what it's going to be but it looks like a tavern/restaurant sort of place.
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Post #267 - November 15th, 2007, 10:51 pmWilde Restaurant and Bar has just opened in the 3330 block of North Broadway this week. A very attractive space has replaced a hardware store there. Hopefully, as much thought has gone into the menu as the leasehold improvements.
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Post #268 - November 16th, 2007, 1:50 pmhttp://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=792889
Two restaurants s are scheduled to open next year inside Chicago-area Wal-Mart stores.... said Rodolfo Jimenez, executive vice president of Campero USA
ICK. and I like their fried chicken..
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Post #269 - November 17th, 2007, 7:47 pmWow .... I just might be clairvoyant about wishing for an Indian restaurant in Wicker Park. In the old Big Horse/El Chaparral space there is scaffolding up with a permit that has the name "Saaj" on it. It's the same space my friend and I have been talking about since the Big Horse was shut down in summer 2006. A quick google says that "saaj" means something like "to create" so it would kinda fit, I guess. Perhaps someone has some insider info.
I should have gotten in first !
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Post #270 - November 17th, 2007, 10:12 pmTonyC wrote:ICK. and I like their fried chicken..
Pollo Campero already has two locations in Chicago, so you don't need to visit a Wal-Mart to get the chicken. Though, I find nothing objectionable about Wal-Mart or Wal-Mart housing franchises of fast food restaurants. My Jewel rents space to a Kosher Chinese restaurant, and my Dominicks rents space to Starbucks - and I still shop in those stores.
I had dinner at the Lawrence/Pulaski Pollo Campero last week and it was okay; the crowds no longer line-up to get inside.
