Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings, July - September 2010

Please post pertinent information about openings, closings, comings and goings here.

Thanks,

=R=
for the moderators

Custom House Tavern: Summer Replacement Chef?

From the July newsletter email received today from the restaurant:

This Summer Custom House Tavern Welcomes Chef Eric Aubriot to Our Kitchen

As we await the arrival of our new Chef, Perry Hendrix this fall we are thrilled to announce the interim appointment for July and August of Chef Eric Aubriot. Having Chef Aubriot join us to helm the kitchen until Chef Hendrix arrives is going to be so much fun. People remember his food at Aubriot and Tournesol and truly miss it; it is an honor to have him in our kitchen, and his style and sensibility couldn't serve as a better bridge to Perry's arrival. We are also discussing a future project with Eric, so his time here this summer will be a terrific opportunity to spend quality time together.

While some current menu items remain, Chef Aubriot has introduces some classics he is known for such as Fois Gras with Chocolate Sauce, Mussels and Frites and other new items to try such as a Sauteed Calamari first course and Braised Pigs Feet with Turnip and Scallions. So current Chef Aubriot fans come on in and to the uninitiated we are sure you will enjoy Chef Aubriot's food.

Interesting arrangement. I'll have to shepherd the Customary Dining Companion over there, as he lives only about three blocks due west of Custom House Tavern. I worked with the peripatetic Aubriot a few years ago at the Botanic Garden, when he was with the now-defunct Narra in Evanston, and found him to be knowledgable, entertaining. . .and very easy on the eyes, too. The French accent was a bonus. Yes, I know I'm shallow.

Custom House Tavern
500 S. Dearborn
Chicago, Illinois 60605
312-523-0200
http://www.customhouse.cc

News from West Rogers Park:

The old Taboun space, just south of Devon on California, has been taken over by Maxwell Grill, a hot dog/gyros/hamburger place formerly in the next block north on California. The new place is larger and has its own parking lot.

A new BBQ place called Rub BBQ Company is opening at 2407 W. Lunt. I’m not sure exactly when they are opening, but I believe before the end of the month.

Maxwell Grill
6339 N. California
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 761-4800

Rub BBQ Company
2407 W. Lunt
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 675-1410
http://www.rubbbqcompany.com

. . . People remember his food at Aubriot and Tournesol . . .

Funny, I think I remember tasting his food at about 20 different restaurants . . . just saying.

EvA wrote:News from West Rogers Park:

A new BBQ place called Rub BBQ Company is opening at 2407 W. Lunt. I’m not sure exactly when they are opening, but I believe before the end of the month.

http://www.rubbbqcompany.com

If the photo on the site is representative, I'm in no hurry to try their food.

scottsol wrote:

EvA wrote:News from West Rogers Park:

A new BBQ place called Rub BBQ Company is opening at 2407 W. Lunt. I’m not sure exactly when they are opening, but I believe before the end of the month.

http://www.rubbbqcompany.com

If the photo on the site is representative, I'm in no hurry to try their food.

What about the copy on their website, and not just the food photography?

Lots of talking of rubbing, on Lunt.

What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

kenji wrote:

scottsol wrote:

EvA wrote:News from West Rogers Park:

A new BBQ place called Rub BBQ Company is opening at 2407 W. Lunt. I’m not sure exactly when they are opening, but I believe before the end of the month.

http://www.rubbbqcompany.com

If the photo on the site is representative, I'm in no hurry to try their food.

What about the copy on their website, and not just the food photography?

Lots of talking of rubbing, on Lunt.

What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

Haters. Wait until they open before you trash them.

kenji wrote:What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

I am not sure how appropriate that joke is, but the punchline is "Paulina, Medina and Lunt". The setup starts with "Name 3 Chicago streets that..." (think Seinfeld).

Chiyo, at Lawrence and Hamlin, is closed for good according to the person who answered the phone at Chicago Kalbi. The sign in the window says Galapagos will be reopening in the Chiyo spot. (x-posted in the Galapagos thread).

d4v3 wrote:

kenji wrote:What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

I am not sure how appropriate that joke is, but the punchline is "Paulina, Medina and Lunt". The setup starts with "Name 3 Chicago streets that..." (think Seinfeld).

I thought it was "Melvina."

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

d4v3 wrote:

kenji wrote:What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

I am not sure how appropriate that joke is, but the punchline is "Paulina, Medina and Lunt". The setup starts with "Name 3 Chicago streets that..." (think Seinfeld).

I thought it was "Melvina."

=R=

It is Melvina. I used to rehearse with a band that had a rehearsal space in a building on the corner of Paulina and Lunt.

trpt2345 wrote:It is Melvina. I used to rehearse with a band that had a rehearsal space in a building on the corner of Paulina and Lunt.

I actually used to tell the joke with Melvina, then I realized that Medina also works, and I was not sure how Melvina is actually pronounced . I live pretty close to that intersection, so that stupid joke comes up embarrasingly often.

Byron's Hot Dogs
7237 Madison St, Forest Park
(708) 771-7772‎

Has closed.

Not the greatest place but they served up decent food. Not that there is a shortage of these type of places in the area from Mickey's to Portillo's.

Best part? They made a decent pizza for very cheap and would put anything in the store on it. Hot dog, Italian beef, Mexican fixings.




Burger

... and the infamous 1/2 lb Dogzilla!

OOps!

Tony's Finer Foods coming to the corner of Ballard & Greenwood in Niles....old Dominick's space.

sundevilpeg wrote:Custom House Tavern: Summer Replacement Chef?

From the July newsletter email received today from the restaurant:

This Summer Custom House Tavern Welcomes Chef Eric Aubriot to Our Kitchen
...

What happened to the new chef they just brought up from Charleston, SC (if I recall correctly)? We were at Custom House in February, not long after his arrival, and I was singularly unimpressed (I posted about it at the time), so I'm not stunned that he's gone, but it does seem like it was a short stint.

According to their Facebook page:

RUB BBQ Co will be serving up ribs, pulled pork and beans at the "Celebrate Clark Street Festival" on July 24th & 25th.
The festival is located on Clark between Morse & Estes.

riddlemay wrote:

sundevilpeg wrote:Custom House Tavern: Summer Replacement Chef?

From the July newsletter email received today from the restaurant:

This Summer Custom House Tavern Welcomes Chef Eric Aubriot to Our Kitchen
...

What happened to the new chef they just brought up from Charleston, SC (if I recall correctly)? We were at Custom House in February, not long after his arrival, and I was singularly unimpressed (I posted about it at the time), so I'm not stunned that he's gone, but it does seem like it was a short stint.

From Chicago Magazine's Dish Flash on June 21:

Dish Flash wrote:“The major issue we had with Aaron is that we couldn’t get Aaron to deliver a menu that matched our concept,” says Peter Drohomyrecky, a partner at Custom House Tavern along with his wife, Susan. Peter Drohomyrecky says the restaurant has lost sight of its objective of simple, well-executed tavern food—Deal’s menu had ten-ingredient dishes where the Drohomyreckys imagined four. “I think [Deal] is very talented and his ability to cook is at the highest level,” Drohomyrecky says. “He has a great future, but he’s not there in being able to produce a menu that honors what we want.”

You can read more about this by following the link I provided above.

=R=

Aldino's is closing tonight! I'll be able to give a Last Supper report, as Groupon coaxed us into going tonight. . .
Four months and outta here!

Steve Dolinsky's brief eulogy

Panther in the Den wrote: Dogzilla

I like the choice of cutlery used on that Dogzilla sausage!

d4v3 wrote:

kenji wrote:What's that old chicago based streetname kinda of dirty joke?

I am not sure how appropriate that joke is, but the punchline is "Paulina, Medina and Lunt". The setup starts with "Name 3 Chicago streets that..." (think Seinfeld).

I believe it's Melvina, not Medina.

Hey all,

I've got some client news regarding a closing and a new restaurant and bar opening to share with all you LTHers.

The Aberdeen in Bucktown is throwing a closing party this Wednesday, July 7 starting at 5pm. During the Aberdeen closing party, tastes of the new restaurant and bar concept that will be housed in the Aberdeen space will be provided for free to patrons. All food items from Aberdeen’s existing menu will be 25 percent off during the closing party.

The Aberdeen space was sold to new owners, and one of the owners is a chef who has worked in the kitchen at some of Chicago’s top restaurants. The existing interior of Aberdeen will undergo a gut rehab and redesign. The brand new restaurant and bar concept in the former Aberdeen space is slated to open early August.

The Aberdeen
1856 W North Ave.
773.772.5500
http://www.aberdeenchicago.com/

Got an email just now from El's Kitchen:

El's Kitchen
1450 W. Webster
Chicago, Il 60614
http://www.elskitch.com
(773) 248-5210


We Are Open

El’s Kitchen has been a lifelong dream of mine to create a uniquely warm and inviting neighborhood dining experience that celebrates the joys of artisan cooking.

We feature down-to-earth American cuisine with a strong emphasis on our unique signature spices that compliment our cooking methods and bring out the best in our seasonal dishes that represent local Midwest flavors within our food.

We look forward to serving you.


Brunch
You asked for it and you got it, brunch will be served at El’s Kitchen on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will be serving a variety of breakfast favorites including Eggs Your Way, Pancakes, House Smoked Bacon and Egg’s Benedict with brisket.

We're excited to announce the opening of our patio. There's nothing like sitting outside drinking a pint of El’s Punch, a glass of wine, or an ice cold beer while eating a juicy burger or a great slab of ribs. Don’t forget El’s Kitchen is a great place to stop by before or after the theater.

EvA wrote:News from West Rogers Park:

The old Taboun space, just south of Devon on California, has been taken over by Maxwell Grill, a hot dog/gyros/hamburger place formerly in the next block north on California. The new place is larger and has its own parking lot.

A new BBQ place called Rub BBQ Company is opening at 2407 W. Lunt. I’m not sure exactly when they are opening, but I believe before the end of the month.

Maxwell Grill
6339 N. California
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 761-4800

Rub BBQ Company
2407 W. Lunt
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 675-1410
http://www.rubbbqcompany.com

Yes, we are opening soon!!! Get ready for great BBQ in Rogers park. We're going to soft open in the next 7-10 days, promote at Celebrate Clark St. July 24th and 25th - and then have our grand opening weekend the first weekend in August. visit http://www.rubbbqcompany.com for updates and details

Smokey Bear's BBQ
3312-14 W. Foster
(773) 583-BEAR (2327)

Getting some press.

Mention in Red Eye today
Time Out Chicago

Some Facebook pic's

Has anyone heard why Good Morgan closed. Both the fish store and Harbor Grill has closed within the last week or so.

silverlock wrote:Has anyone heard why Good Morgan closed. Both the fish store and Harbor Grill has closed within the last week or so.

Weren't they supposed to move to Highland Park or am I thinking of Robert's fish market?

Saw an ad for Dat Donuts today that said "Coming Soon,Dat Old Fashioned Bar B Que,Ribs Chicken Hot Links & Burgers,Cottage Grove location only"

Dat Donut
8251 South Cottage Grove Avenue
Chicago, IL‎ (773) 723-1002‎

Found this through the Hearty Boys Blog:

"John McLean, a longtime chef de cuisine for Levy Restaurants who told you about his ambitious plans last fall, has signed a lease on three storefronts (1578-1582 North Clybourn Avenue), where he will open two restaurants this fall: Urban Burger Bar and Pizzeria SoNo. The first will feature hand-crafted burgers, fries, and shakes. “We will cook hormone-free ground chuck over a live hardwood coal fire that will give a great smoky backyard barbecue flavor,” says McLean, who also promises an “amazing” veggie burger and a list of 50-plus local craft beers, including a dozen on tap. As for Pizzeria SoNo, expect 15 hand-crafted thin-crust pizzas along the lines of caramelized fennel and onion with goat cheese, mascarpone, and roasted garlic."

http://urbanburgerbar.com/
http://www.sonowoodfired.com/

Although there are a lot of burger places that have popped up in the last couple years, I am very excited for this one. I have always respected John McLean's work with Levy. It isn't completely clear when the pizzaria will open up though.

Urban Burger Bar
1578 N. Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL

Brasserie Jo is closing at the end of August - http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... osing.html