bean wrote:

elakin wrote:Yeah, that doesn't make a lot of sense. Restaurants don't generally close for weeks for "repairs". At least, not voluntarily.

In the pursuit of fairness: Hot Doug's (yes, we all know--same neighborhood, but different) closed for, what? Two years?

Yes but:

A) His building burned down
B) He moved to a completely new location
C) He's Hot Doug, so a certain amount of eccentric behavior is expected and enjoyed

Well, and the real issue was, he was leaning toward hanging it up but people in the neighborhood seeing him walking around (this writer included) kept asking him "Are you going to reopen?"

Hi,

Doug was closed around eight months. He did consider going onto something else. He had challenges collecting an equitable settlement from his insurance company, delaying his progress. Thank goodness he re-opened and continues to thrive.

He was closed for several weeks maybe two years ago, when he broke his leg on vacation. Until he could return to work, Hot Doug's was closed.

Doug is a hands on owner who is always present when his shop is open. Given the intensity of his business, I suspect one day he may say enough-is-enough and he'll go into sunset unexpectedly.

Regards,

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.

(k)new Restaurant (that's how it's written on the menu ... really) is now open. We strolled by last night on the way home from a cheap and delicious meal at Moran. The pricing at (k)new looks pretty similar to Think, unfortunately: three apps are $16-18, one is $11; salads are $8-10; and the six listed entrees are $18-32 — the majority are $28 or $29 — with a "fresh wild fish of the day" at market price.

There's also a cryptic "Recycle Fee: 5" at the bottom of the menu. Recycle fee?

olivetti wrote:There's also a cryptic "Recycle Fee: 5" at the bottom of the menu. Recycle fee?

Is Knew a temporary BYOB? If so, then my guess is that's their way around corkage fee laws as they wait for a liquor license...they can try to claim they're not technically charging corkage by pointing to the "recycle fee".

Khaopaat wrote:

olivetti wrote:There's also a cryptic "Recycle Fee: 5" at the bottom of the menu. Recycle fee?

Is Knew a temporary BYOB? If so, then my guess is that's their way around corkage fee laws as they wait for a liquor license...they can try to claim they're not technically charging corkage by pointing to the "recycle fee".

Tough to make it stick if you say you're taking the bottle home with you.

Just now getting around to posting this, but two weeks ago I drove by Sh. Rustaveli, the Georgian place in Skokie, and the windows were papered over. Can anyone fill me in?

The new Tango Sur venture at Division and Hoyne had the paper off the windows yesterday afternoon. Dammit, I've already forgotten the name.

ndgbucktown wrote:The new Tango Sur venture at Division and Hoyne had the paper off the windows yesterday afternoon. Dammit, I've already forgotten the name.

I noticed it off on either Thursday or Friday night (can't remember if I was walking home from the Hour or Insight, but since I was on the North side of the street I would bet it was Thursday night.) I had pretty much written that spot off for a while, when I saw it open I assumed I had missed something. There were people inside eating, I'm assuming a soft open or friends/family night, my quick research has the officially opening on the 30th.

Folklore
2100 W. Division St.
Chicago, IL 6062

SSDD

Oh, yeah it might have been mentioned, but if so I missed it, Fuel @ 1725 W. Division St. is gone. I didn't have high hopes for that one, trying to be something for everyone usually doesn't work out great. Is this another location of the damned? Second place to fail in that location in right around two years.

SSDD

One last thing about Folklore from Thrillist:

2100 W Division St, at Hoyne; Wicker Park; 773.292.1600
Opening tonight from the people behind Lakeview BYOB legend Tango Sur, Folklore's bringing you the same celebrated Argentinian steaks (w/ new options like organic/grass-fed beef) but doing the booze themselves, whether that means a bottle from the heavily Argentinian/Chilean/Spanish wine list or a cocktail like a Fernet Branca/caramel concoction that's supposed to taste like a mint chocolate martini. Finally!

Probably no surprises there. I'm sure I'll try it out sooner or later, my wife is a big steak eater, and it is only four blocks or so from the house.

SSDD

Sandwich Works
4718 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood
Windows are papered over and there's a big padlock on the front door. Closed I presume.

Bunaken Cafe
8018 N. Lincoln
Skokie
Opening soon. "Southeast Asian Cuisine"

Johnny's Grill
5313 W. Lincoln Ave.
(between Lockwood Ave & Gross Point Rd)
Skokie, IL 60077
Typical hot dog stand. Apparently related to the one downtown.

Dave148 wrote:Sandwich Works
4718 W Touhy Ave
Lincolnwood
Windows are papered over and there's a big padlock on the front door. Closed I presume.

Noooooooooo
I was hoping they were just closed for an extended Yom Kippur break, but there's no answer via phone. That's a shame. That was my go-to place, and they made a damn fine meatball and prosciutto/basil/mozzarella subs! Not to mention the stock of 8,000 beverages.

Pie Lady wrote:Not to mention the stock of 8,000 beverages.

Cans & bottles of Poland Spring, Coke and Sprite?

headcase wrote:One last thing about Folklore from Thrillist:

2100 W Division St, at Hoyne; Wicker Park; 773.292.1600
Opening tonight from the people behind Lakeview BYOB legend Tango Sur, Folklore's bringing you the same celebrated Argentinian steaks (w/ new options like organic/grass-fed beef) but doing the booze themselves, whether that means a bottle from the heavily Argentinian/Chilean/Spanish wine list or a cocktail like a Fernet Branca/caramel concoction that's supposed to taste like a mint chocolate martini. Finally!

Probably no surprises there. I'm sure I'll try it out sooner or later, my wife is a big steak eater, and it is only four blocks or so from the house.

SSDD

Biked past here early this afternoon. No menu posted in the window when I was there. I'm guessing the space has been in soft opening for a few days because of the typical "Private Parties Only" sign. From a quick peek inside it looked kind of narrow, but I could've been mistaken. Tango Sur seems to have quite the scene, perhaps here, too?

bryanz: i walked by folklore today and also wondered at first at the smallness of the place. but...if you move westward, you'll see a whole other room. the first room, on the corner, is just the bar. it's very attractive, but i'm not much of a a slab'o'meat eater, so don't have any plans to check it out. justjoan

great name. one of the better restaurant names I've heard in a while.

Folklore has it's "official" opening tomorrow night, Thursday. I went to the friends/family thingy last weekend for a quick drink and say hi to the new neighbors. Sergio has been working on this place for some time and it looks great in the details. Lots of custom wood and metal work, and yes it is on the smaller side but still warm and inviting. Sorry I don't have any pics or menu details, but I'm sure they will come soon from others if not me.

According to The Stew today, Club Lago is finally reopening. Official re-opening day is October 7.

In the ChinaTown Mall, just a few doors east of Spring World is the kraft-papered-window signature of a new restaurant coming soon (or closed !)
.....The sign says it'll be called "Sweet Station"-
with a Building Permit stating the owner as Chen Tam.

Sweet Station
2101 S. China Place
Chicago ,Ill 606??

This isn't so much of an announcement as much as a request to any entrepreneurs that may check out this site:

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast? Waiting for the 65 Grand wastes minutes of my life as it is, but doing it in winter is so brutal. Pretty sure the rents are significantly cheaper than other areas!

jimwdavis wrote:
Rumor has it that the old Starbucks location will indeed become a burgers/pizza joint, with unrealistically high prices. That is the recent scuttlebutt gathered by the guys I worked with at the big condo building across from the plaza.

Coming in November - http://www.pioneerlocal.com/wilmette/ne ... s1.article

makemedinner wrote:This isn't so much of an announcement as much as a request to any entrepreneurs that may check out this site:

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast? Waiting for the 65 Grand wastes minutes of my life as it is, but doing it in winter is so brutal. Pretty sure the rents are significantly cheaper than other areas!

Just by way of a marketing survey, how many days a week do you eat breakfast?

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast?

What about Chavas Tacos at 2351 W Grand Ave? They're open at 5am, and no slouches in the Huevos Dept.

makemedinner wrote:
...

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast? Waiting for the 65 Grand wastes minutes of my life as it is, but doing it in winter is so brutal. Pretty sure the rents are significantly cheaper than other areas!

I haven't been there, but Da Beef has posted about Hound Dog's on his blog.

A quick search on LTH results in one mention of Hound Dog's.

Hound Dog's
2257 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 666-5797

--
edc

makemedinner wrote:This isn't so much of an announcement as much as a request to any entrepreneurs that may check out this site:

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast? Waiting for the 65 Grand wastes minutes of my life as it is, but doing it in winter is so brutal. Pretty sure the rents are significantly cheaper than other areas!

There is a coffee & sandwich shopping that is preparing to open at Artesian & Hubbard by the Western Ave. Metra Stop. The name escapes me right now. I will edit it when I remember.

Beard Papa opening in Block 37 this November. I can't wait for the delicious cream puffs.

http://beardpapa.posterous.com/the-chicago-adventure-part-2

Not really a cream puff fan, but happened upon Beard Papa in San Francisco a few years ago and was intrigued. Wow, that there is some tasty pastry. A nice addition to help us drown our sorrow over the loss of the games.

AlexG wrote:A nice addition to help us drown our sorrow over the loss of the games.

Or a nice celebratory snack.

Pucca wrote:

makemedinner wrote:This isn't so much of an announcement as much as a request to any entrepreneurs that may check out this site:

Can someone please, please, please open up something at Western and Grand that serves breakfast? Waiting for the 65 Grand wastes minutes of my life as it is, but doing it in winter is so brutal. Pretty sure the rents are significantly cheaper than other areas!

There is a coffee & sandwich shopping that is preparing to open at Artesian & Hubbard by the Western Ave. Metra Stop. The name escapes me right now. I will edit it when I remember.

Any update on this? I've been spending a lot of time in this area (though only as far west as Leavitt/Bell off Grand), and I would love to see new food options, especially open after 8pm. There seems to be a significant number of new tenants moving into the area, and, yes, the 65 Grand bus is horrible. In fact, it may just be what I dread most about this winter.