Hopped Up wrote:Not sure where to post this, but I guess it's a going. Ron Messier, the owner of Pauline's at Balmoral and Ravenswood passed away last Friday. Think I'll go have a 5 egg omelet this weekend.

http://www.avilledaily.com/2011/11/22/p ... n-messier/

That's sad. Pauline, his wife, passed away just over a year ago. Her obit here.

gleam wrote:A liquor license application sticker has gone up in the old Dairy Queen at 1649 N. Damen. The d/b/a for the new business is "Cesar's on Damen". Guessing it's another location for Cesar's On Broadway

wow ... looks like a quality addition to the neighborhood

We get what we deserve.

Pie Lady wrote:

kenji wrote:Rumor has it Blue Angel is turning into some kind of "night club".

Where did you hear that? Just curious.

According to this week's Nadig (local) newspaper, the same owners are reconcepting the Blue Angel as an Irish pub called Finnegan's. They will serve lunch and dinner, with breakfast on the weekends. They also will have a large outdoor patio with a fire pit. The change was prompted by changing demographics, with the owners believing that the younger families moving into the area will prefer this to a 24-hour diner. The indoor portion is expected to open in three weeks.

PortPkPaul wrote:According to this week's Nadig (local) newspaper, the same owners are reconcepting the Blue Angel as an Irish pub called Finnegan's. .

From a 3 second google search it looks like the Finnegan's in Plainfield IL is closed. Wonder if the concept and management is just moving it up here into Jefferson/Gladstone Park?

http://tinyurl.com/7bdtbbu

The GP wrote:

Hopped Up wrote:Not sure where to post this, but I guess it's a going. Ron Messier, the owner of Pauline's at Balmoral and Ravenswood passed away last Friday. Think I'll go have a 5 egg omelet this weekend.

http://www.avilledaily.com/2011/11/22/p ... n-messier/

That's sad. Pauline, his wife, passed away just over a year ago. Her obit here.

How sad. They were such a lovely couple.

PortPkPaul wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:

kenji wrote:Rumor has it Blue Angel is turning into some kind of "night club".

Where did you hear that? Just curious.

According to this week's Nadig (local) newspaper, the same owners are reconcepting the Blue Angel as an Irish pub called Finnegan's. They will serve lunch and dinner, with breakfast on the weekends. They also will have a large outdoor patio with a fire pit. The change was prompted by changing demographics, with the owners believing that the younger families moving into the area will prefer this to a 24-hour diner. The indoor portion is expected to open in three weeks.

Wow an Irish Pub in Jeff Park.... Why didnt anyone else ever think of that idea.

kenji wrote:

PortPkPaul wrote:According to this week's Nadig (local) newspaper, the same owners are reconcepting the Blue Angel as an Irish pub called Finnegan's. .

From a 3 second google search it looks like the Finnegan's in Plainfield IL is closed. Wonder if the concept and management is just moving it up here into Jefferson/Gladstone Park?

http://tinyurl.com/7bdtbbu

It is the same Greek family that ran the Blue Angel that will be running it. I think they were just picking a random Irish name to fit the theme.

According to this week's Nadig (local) newspaper, the same owners are reconcepting the Blue Angel as an Irish pub called Finnegan's. They will serve lunch and dinner, with breakfast on the weekends. They also will have a large outdoor patio with a fire pit. The change was prompted by changing demographics, with the owners believing that the younger families moving into the area will prefer this to a 24-hour diner. The indoor portion is expected to open in three weeks.[/quote]

Wow an Irish Pub in Jeff Park.... Why didnt anyone else ever think of that idea.[/quote]

True, but they are entitled to make a living. I bet it will do better than the Blue Angel, I live half a mile away and haven't been in ten years. That style doesn't appeal to the younger demographic. Think of similar places that have closed or reduced their hours, Jack's on Touhy, Seven Brothers on Waukegan, etc.

I wonder if the proximity to the police station will discourage those drinkers who drive from going there.

I know it's fashionable to bash "Irish pubs". And doubt Finnegan's food, whiskey selection, or Guinness pours will be anything special. But I hardly see Jefferson Park as busting at the seams with Irish pubs. A relaxed place to watch the game, have a few beers, and bring the kids along is exactly what Jefferson Park does need.

I'm going to bet there won't be an abundance of professional drunks bellying up to a restaurant's bar and getting sh*tfaced then driving down Milwaukee ave.

Pro drinkers don't hang out at many local restaurants to put their bag on. It's too expensive on a regular basis. You need a shot&beer old man bar where the bartender buys you one after every two or three drinks to keep it affordable if you are a pro going out many days of the week.

the place will have to have decent food and atmosphere to make money, not pro drinkers.

kenji wrote:I'm going to bet there won't be an abundance of professional drunks bellying up to a restaurant's bar and getting sh*tfaced then driving down Milwaukee ave.

Pro drinkers don't hang out at many local restaurants to put their bag on. It's too expensive on a regular basis. You need a shot&beer old man bar where the bartender buys you one after every two or three drinks to keep it affordable if you are a pro going out many days of the week.

the place will have to have decent food and atmosphere to make money, not pro drinkers.

You don't have to be a professional drunk to get a DUI.

I thought PortPkPaul brought up "drinkers". I was addressing that point.

Sorry if it's been reported already, but what used to be a NAPA Auto Parts at 2424 Dempster St, just east of McCormick Blvd, will soon be a chicken & waffles place. I was driving and couldn't see the name or how close it looks to being open.

Hi- The chicken and Waffle place has already been mentioned here. The sign has been up for probably a month. I can't see it doing a lot of business at that location. The building where KFC used to be at Dempster and Dodge would have been a better location for it. Hope this helps, Nancy

There's a new place open on Ashland a few doors north of Roscoe. The window say Bai Cafe, Central Asian food. The space used to be a men's clothing store.

Jamie wrote:There's a new place open on Ashland a few doors north of Roscoe. The window say Bai Cafe, Central Asian food. The space used to be a men's clothing store.

KennyZ covered Bai Cafe, which apparently has been open for 9 months, at his blog. He wasn't impressed by the food.

Fannie May just opened a factory outlet in Melrose Park at:

Fannie May Fine Chocolate
2457 W. North Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160

It is in a large sub-divided warehouse off on the Northeast corner of 25th and North Ave. I went in yesterday, and they have current sales on Turtles. The woman working the counter did not know the store telephone number yet, but they said something should be in the Trib in the next few days.

gleam wrote:

Jamie wrote:There's a new place open on Ashland a few doors north of Roscoe. The window say Bai Cafe, Central Asian food. The space used to be a men's clothing store.

KennyZ covered Bai Cafe, which apparently has been open for 9 months, at his blog. He wasn't impressed by the food.

True, but I lose credibility for screwing up the country from which the owner hails. It's Kyrgyzstan, not Kazakhstan.

nsxtasy wrote:I just got an e-mail from Wisma, the carry-out store that John des Rosiers opened kitty-corner from his Inovasi restaurant in Lake Bluff (and also in Libertyville), and it says they will soon be opening a store in downtown Chicago.

It will be in the French Market (in the Ogilvie train station), as noted here.

Just drove by and saw papers on the windows at old town brasserie on division and wells. Anyone know the scoop on what's going in there

Bar Toma Chicago (www.bartomachicago.com) located in the former Bistro 110 location opened its doors this morning for business.

http://chicago.grubstreet.com/2011/11/l ... ing_t.html

Also, Slupring Turple (www.slurpingturtle.com), Takashi Yagihashi's River North ramen joint/noodle house opened for business yesterday.

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2011/ ... hashis.php

I received an email last night from Chris Nugent on the opening of his new restaurant, Goosefoot. I'm looking forward to trying the restaurant, with his top cuisine and BYOB on top of it. Here's the text of the email:

We are excited to announce our opening date is December 11, 2011. Please visit http://www.goosefoot.net for information and reservations. Our 8 course menu is $90 the 12 course menu is $140 we will open with the 8 course then add the 12 course in shortly after. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Goosefoot
2656 West Lawrence Avenue
Chicago, IL
60625
773-942-7547
http://www.goosefoot.net/

Had dinner in the new Biaggi's in Deerfield over the weekend-
food was fairly good, service was abysmal.
App of dates with bacon was acceptable, nice portion size-enough to share-
Caprese salad of friend was weird- too few bonconcini instead of slices
Ceaser salad was OK, but overdressed.
Lobster fettucini was not bad.
Hubby's eggplant parm looked good, but oddly was served with a pasta side in a cream sauce.
I guess they still have a few kinks to work out.

Manzo's on Irving Park closed its doors last night. According to their Facebook page, the family will be looking for a new location:

"Established in 1956, Manzo's has been a part of this community for over 55 years. We would like to inform you that we will be serving our last meals on November 29th. We appreciate your patronage over the years and hope you continue to keep this Neighborhood Legacy alive at our new location. Although we are sad to leave our home for over 20 years we are very excited to share the NEW ATMOSPHERE, NEW MENU, AND NEW NAME with all of you when we open."

I didn't eat there very often, but the pizza was decent and had a great old-school vibe in the bar.

Manzo's
3210 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL

Think the lack of "free parking" cut into their business and is the reason they are moving?

Hmm, I'm not a driver, so I don't pay enough attention to these things -- but isn't there a parking lot behind the building?

Now that Manzo's is leaving, that corner of Kedzie and Irving is going to be even more of an eye sore than it already is ... that liquor store has been abandoned for how long now?

Seven Ocean - Asian Fine Dining is open on Marion St in Oak Park. I think it is owned by the man who owns Tatsu near UIC...

The menu from 26 November reads as follows:

Curry Fish Timbale - Coconut cream, Red Curry

Lobster Stuffed Gyoza - Ponzu sauce, Cilantro shoots

Braised Pork Belly - Tangerine, Caramelized sauce

Grilled Prawn Shiitake Mushroom - spicy sour, herb infused sauce

Steamed Atlantic Cod - Thai herb, Coconut cream

Stew Beef Tenderloin - Russet Potato, Massaman Curry sauce

Trio Mango and Sticky Rice

Prix Fixe $55

122 N Marion St
Oak Park, IL
708.524.7970

je_suis_ici wrote:Manzo's on Irving Park closed its doors last night. According to their Facebook page, the family will be looking for a new location:

"Established in 1956, Manzo's has been a part of this community for over 55 years. We would like to inform you that we will be serving our last meals on November 29th. We appreciate your patronage over the years and hope you continue to keep this Neighborhood Legacy alive at our new location. Although we are sad to leave our home for over 20 years we are very excited to share the NEW ATMOSPHERE, NEW MENU, AND NEW NAME with all of you when we open."

I didn't eat there very often, but the pizza was decent and had a great old-school vibe in the bar.

Manzo's
3210 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL

This is such a shame. My husband and I used to eat here pretty regularly for at least the last five to six years but have not been in a while. The hostess knew us by name and always knew what we wanted. Pizza was good, pasta was great and the prices were also quite reasonable. But I must say I think they got more carryout and delivery business more than anything. I loved to dine inside the restaurant because of that old school vibe but my husband and I always wondered about the lack of people dining in versus the phone ringing off the hook for carryout and delivery. They have also greatly reduced their lunch hours the last year or so and once that happened I was concerned because in my gut I knew what was coming next.

je_suis_ici wrote:Hmm, I'm not a driver, so I don't pay enough attention to these things -- but isn't there a parking lot behind the building?

Now that Manzo's is leaving, that corner of Kedzie and Irving is going to be even more of an eye sore than it already is ... that liquor store has been abandoned for how long now?

There is a free parking lot behind the building but no entrance from the back meaning you have to walk around the restaurant and car wash next door to the front. We often parked on the street but I must admit once parking box fees went up we ate there less and less and was probably the basis for us not going as often as we used to.

The liquor store next door has been closed for years and years since at least 2005 when I started trekking past that area on a daily basis and probably before that but do not know how long.