Prairie Fire, in the old Powerhouse space, is due to open on Monday.

SSDD

New 'Prime Bar' @ 155 N Wacker looks ready to open any day now.....

'Beautiful staff, stiff drinks, hip music' - according to their website.

Cathy2 wrote:According to Chuck Wenk's column in the Highland Park News, Rosebud is leaving Highland Park for Deerfield. They were unhappy with the lack of customers at lunch.

Wait... Chuck Wenk is STILL writing for the HP News? He was a grumpy old man writing for the paper when I was growing up in HP years ago.

blipsman wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:According to Chuck Wenk's column in the Highland Park News, Rosebud is leaving Highland Park for Deerfield. They were unhappy with the lack of customers at lunch.

Wait... Chuck Wenk is STILL writing for the HP News? He was a grumpy old man writing for the paper when I was growing up in HP years ago.

He gives grumpy old men a bad name.

Hi,

Chuck Wenk was moved from the front of the paper to the editorial section. He is quite a polarizing personality. He has moved to Lake Bluff from the Highlands, though he keeps on writing and observing on everything Highland Park. I always like his sign off, roughly: See you next week, maybe.

Regards,

Mr. Wenk works in the same building I do and I find him to be completely and consistently personable and generous.

=R=

New hot dog place to open soon on North Ave near Harlem in Oak Park



World Famous Hot Dog Stand
7103 W North Ave, Oak Park

Nothing on the web...

Trattoria Gemelli (Brookfield) which closed last November is opening at 7308 W North in Elmwood Park in the old Claudio Pastry space. I believe they were in the inspection process last week, but haven't heard of an opening date. Tables and chairs in window but no signage as yet

Overheard at La Condessa that they will be closing this month, the south location will remain open. I need to find a Mexican place for breakfast with homemade tortillas in the neighborhood now. I will so miss the jalapeno steak.
1003 North Ashland Avenue.

There is a restaurant in the 1100 block of West Webster that used to be something, and now looks like it is something else without a sign on it (except one that says "now open") - this is not very useful, I know, but I was not in a position to stop... and I don't know what it was before, but it looked very different.

Sounds like Kith & Kin, in the former home of La Hacienda de Muy Bueno Tequilas y Enchiladas Dos Hermanos Ay Chihuahuas, or something.

Fuego in Arlington Heights is now closed (strange - always a very popular place).

The location on Milwaukee is still open however. Found this out in an e-mail from the restaurant.

chrisch wrote:Fuego in Arlington Heights is now closed (strange - always a very popular place).

The location on Milwaukee is still open however. Found this out in an e-mail from the restaurant.

HUH?????? They were just on Check Please!

I know......

Here's the text:

Gone South!
We regret to inform you that the Fuego Mexican Grill & Margarita Bar located at 17 West Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights has closed. It is no longer Fuego Mexican Grill, the authentic Mexican restaurant you’ve come to know and enjoy.
But don’t fret because the Fuego fire continues to blaze. You can still find the original Fuego Mexican Grill experience you’ve fallen in love with at our Chicago location (2047 North Milwaukee Avenue) where Executive Chef Juan Luis Gonzales continues to create his famous dishes. Remember what we say…Never Trust a Skinny Chef. Here you can enjoy the lively Fuego atmosphere in the authentic setting you are familiar with. And, you’ll discover the same great menu featuring our Tableside Guacamole, delicious Moles, Juan’s famous Grandma Paula’s recipes, and all the Mexican favorites you’ve come to enjoy over the years.
Thank You!
We appreciate your business and the friendships we have made and we owe our success to loyal customers like you. We are truly thankful for having had the opportunity to serve you and we hope you’ll come dine at Fuego soon. We miss you!

I just learned from Patrick Chabert that Berutti's in Buffalo Grove will be closing. I enjoyed the eclectic offerings of Berutti's, but I valued it more because Chabert shared the space for his catering business and offered splendid monthly French dinners at reasonable prices. (He also did a blow-out dinner for LTH about a year ago.) I'll let folks know when I find out where Chabert lands. I'm just hoping it's local, as I'd hate to lose access to that golden age of Le Français cuisine of his.

chrisch wrote:Fuego in Arlington Heights is now closed (strange - always a very popular place).

The location on Milwaukee is still open however. Found this out in an e-mail from the restaurant.

This is REALLY disappointing.

Villager Foods on Chicago Ave near Harlem in Oak Park has closed their doors.

I will miss their old school butcher counter as that is where I had gotten my meat for jerky.

I remember when they used to be on North Ave.

Panther in the Den wrote:Villager Foods on Chicago Ave near Harlem in Oak Park has closed their doors.

I will miss their old school butcher counter as that is where I had gotten my meat for jerky.

I remember when they used to be on North Ave.

That's a bummer. Where will the beauteous checkout girls find employment on their summer breaks? The spots at Jibek Jolu, Pizano's, and Natalina are already taken.

Santander wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Villager Foods on Chicago Ave near Harlem in Oak Park has closed their doors.

I will miss their old school butcher counter as that is where I had gotten my meat for jerky.

I remember when they used to be on North Ave.

That's a bummer. Where will the beauteous checkout girls find employment on their summer breaks? The spots at Jibek Jolu, Pizano's, and Natalina are already taken.

I need to find more clients in Oak Park.

Mancini's Pizza Pasta Cafe

Formerly at 1038 Lake St has completed their move to...

1111 Lake St, Oak Park

Even though their website doesn't know it yet.

I imagine their phone number didn't change

(708) 445-9700

Ate there once. A little crowded, noisy and expensive for a Italian cafe/pizza place. Food was OK. Maybe with a little more formal and larger space things will improve? Who knows!

The Village Cafe & Pub at 6873 N. Milwaukee in Niles is now Capone's Hideout. I haven't been there yet but I'm intrigued. Apparently they host wine tastings and live music (possibly jazz-centric, but that may have been just the most recent show).

From going.com
Village Cafe & Pub has become Capone's Hideout on January 1, 2010. Come out and be fully entertained and stuffed with items from our fabulous new menu! Ask about joining Capone's Gang and receive email passwords for select discounts on food and reduced cover charges. Each week features full entertainment Tues - Sat and many events. Free pool in the Hideout every day - all day! Get a Horseshoe Sandwich that is truly hard to find in Chicagoland except in Capone's Hideout!!

Obviously some friends talking about it on yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/capones-hideout-niles

Leo's Coney Island opening Monday Feb.15
3455 No.Southport
Chicago

Hmmmm.... Wasn't there a Coney Island style place here in the late 80's,early 90's that failed miserably?

http://leoschicago.com/

Shagun Restaurant has opened in Aurora just south of Ogden Avenue on Frontenac.

We've really needed a nice Indian restaurant in this area, and now we have it. I've had the chicken curry twice, and it was a comforting taste on cold winter nights. The paratha was good, and the aloo paratha was very good, even though I had it the next day.

The owner is very welcoming.

Shagun Restaurant
646 S Frontenac
Aurora, IL 60504
(630) 585-7690

sad to hear about berutti's in buff grove

i recently discovered it and have enjoyed many lunches there

very nice people too

did he say when they are closing??

i need to get in for more pastrami and corned beef sandwiches before they do

Just saw a recommendation from the Provenance folks for a new vegan takeout place in Logan Square

Life on Mars
2910 W Armitage
(773) 489-6277

Mon Closed
Tues-Sat 12-8
Sun 12-6

http://mars-takeout.com/

Two new places opening up on Taylor Street soon....

Vintage Lounge
1447-49 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Cafe 1.61
1251-1259 W Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Any one have any info on these two places?

http://www.derivativeworks.com/2010/02/ ... e-161.html

Bellezza Gelato at 3637 N. Harlem Ave. will reopen in "March." No date specified, but hooray, summer's coming!
http://www.bellezzagelato.com/

Pie Lady wrote:Bellezza Gelato at 3637 N. Harlem Ave. will reopen in "March." No date specified, but hooray, summer's coming!
http://www.bellezzagelato.com/

I saw that on my way down to Pasta Fresh. Very excited to have both only a few miles away.

In news that is sure to send shock waves rippling through every corner of this forum, Blu Sushi (which took over the Hotel Orrington space vacated by Narra) is now Futami Sushi.

pizzafan wrote:sad to hear about berutti's in buff grove

i recently discovered it and have enjoyed many lunches there

very nice people too

did he say when they are closing??

i need to get in for more pastrami and corned beef sandwiches before they do

Agreed -- exceptionally nice people.

They're closing at the end of the February. Steve Berutti will be semi-retiring, but he'll be helping out at the kitchen of some bar on Lawrence. I didn't catch the name, but he'll tell you when you go for that last pastrami.

I want to get back for one last mufaletta sandwich. And maybe even one of his dinners -- I've never had dinner there, and the menu looks impressive -- mostly homemade Italian.