As already mentioned on the dedicated thread...

Antico Forno
7308 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
(708) 456-2445
www.antico-forno.com

... has closed.

Ramova Grill

Dear friends and loyal customers, after 82 years of serving Chicago and the Bridgeport community, the Ramova Grill will be closing its doors after April 14, 2012. Owners, Tony Dinos and Bob Gertos will finally get to enjoy retired life.

We want to thank you all for your support over the years, and want you to know that we treasure the friendships built with generations of chili lovers who made... their way down Halsted for a homemade meal.

We look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks, as we now begin, "MARCH CHILI MADNESS!" Please stop on by and say goodbye to a Chicago institution, and enjoy a fresh, hot breakfast, fresh squeezed orange juice, or maybe a burger, steak sandwich, or even a bowl of that Ramova chili.

See you soon!

Cathy2 wrote:

Ramova Grill

Dear friends and loyal customers, after 82 years of serving Chicago and the Bridgeport community, the Ramova Grill will be closing its doors after April 14, 2012. Owners, Tony Dinos and Bob Gertos will finally get to enjoy retired life.

We want to thank you all for your support over the years, and want you to know that we treasure the friendships built with generations of chili lovers who made... their way down Halsted for a homemade meal.

We look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks, as we now begin, "MARCH CHILI MADNESS!" Please stop on by and say goodbye to a Chicago institution, and enjoy a fresh, hot breakfast, fresh squeezed orange juice, or maybe a burger, steak sandwich, or even a bowl of that Ramova chili.

See you soon!

This is really sad, sad news. Another classic bites the dust.

The scuttlebutt has it that the building was sold, and that the new owners plan to put a Chinese restaurant in the space. Odd business plan, if true, given that there are three other established Chinese places a short distance away, but who knows.

I drove past the new Lakeview outpost of Nhu Lan on Thursday and it looks as if they're close to opening. Signage is up on the facade and the windows, though the windows were otherwise papered over. I checked the Chicago food inspection database to see if they'd had their final inspections yet, but it hasn't been updated for the last 2 weeks, so no intelligence there.

(ETA: This refers to the second location they're opening in the former Cloud 9 space, 604 W Belmont Ave just west of Broadway.)

Panther in the Den wrote:As already mentioned on the dedicated thread...

Antico Forno
7308 W North Ave, Elmwood Park
(708) 456-2445
http://www.antico-forno.com

... has closed.

I had noticed this on Friday and forgot to post. Apparently, there is also a For Sale sign on the window.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:The scuttlebutt has it that the building was sold, and that the new owners plan to put a Chinese restaurant in the space. Odd business plan, if true, given that there are three other established Chinese places a short distance away, but who knows.

Aigh at the Ramova Grill closing. Another old school establishment bites the dust. Why do new owners of buildings try to "fix" what isn't broken by forcing longtime businesses out? That may not have happened here as the owners decided to retire but I have seen it elsewhere and don't really understand it at all. The "replacements" never work out and then the place sits empty and abandoned for years.

Never got a chance to make it to Ramova but I have been wanting to go ever since a friend raved about it a while back. let's see if I can make it before they officially close.

A sign in the old Ben Tre space on Touhy at Kedzie announces that Bangkok Wok is coming soon. It would be great to have some good Thai food in the 'hood.


Edited to change name from Bangkok Bowl to Bangkok Wok

Crazy Jaws in Morton Grove is closed. Never developed a following apparently. Nice space and a fairly new remodel so it's likely something else will appear there soon.

tortminder wrote:Crazy Jaws in Morton Grove is closed. Never developed a following apparently. Nice space and a fairly new remodel so it's likely something else will appear there soon.

That was fast. Was it even open a year?

Pie Lady wrote:

tortminder wrote:Crazy Jaws in Morton Grove is closed. Never developed a following apparently. Nice space and a fairly new remodel so it's likely something else will appear there soon.

That was fast. Was it even open a year?

Either just over or just under a year. Part of the problem was that the guys couldn't really define what they wanted the place to be... sports bar... bar-b-que joint...Cajun food. There were some really nice touches, (they smoked all their own chickens and ribs; the "pick and lick" shrimp was a winner), and some near misses.
Hopefully, whoever takes over the place will have a clear concept that they can execute well and build a following. The location is well furnished and well maintained.

Balena is open today! Reservations are available. I am very excited, we are going tonight, will definitely report back.

For those that don't know, Balena is a new italian joint that is a collaboration between the folks at the Bristol and the Boka group. Executive chef Chris Pandel has set up a menu of pizzas, pastas and wood fired meats that is followed up by pastry chef Amanda Rockman's classic (but not too classic) Italian desserts. Should be awesome!

Expect me to start a thread about the new restaurant tomorrow.

Opening this week: Old Town Pour House on Wells in the space that was once 33 Club. Big fancy sports bar with lots of tv screens.

Cathy2 wrote:

edb60035 wrote:It appears that one-time GNR-winner Maria's Bakery in Highwood is a goner. "Closed for remodeling". As if anyone couldn't predict that when Maria sold the place off and it moved, it would lose all of the appeal.

HI,

Maria's in Highwood has reopened under new ownership today.

Regards,

I stopped in this past Saturday morning without knowing this and it was very unorganized, to say the least.

No breakfast pastries at 9:15 on a Saturday. No one could bother to come up to the counter from the back. When she did come out, no explanation for my inquiry of the lack of baked goods. My daughter insisted on taking the entire inventory, seven chocolate frosted donuts. I ran out of the house without much cash, but they did not know how to use the credit card machine.

smunderground wrote:Balena is open today! Reservations are available. I am very excited, we are going tonight, will definitely report back.

For those that don't know, Balena is a new italian joint that is a collaboration between the folks at the Bristol and the Boka group. Executive chef Chris Pandel has set up a menu of pizzas, pastas and wood fired meats that is followed up by pastry chef Amanda Rockman's classic (but not too classic) Italian desserts. Should be awesome!

Expect me to start a thread about the new restaurant tomorrow.

Balena
1633 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60614
312.867.3888
http://balenachicago.com/

Heard a rumor on facebook just now...

The Depot on Roosevelt road is closed

Whaaaa!!!

Just called and got a message, nothing indicating they were closed...

Called Olive Or Twist where Robert (the owner of the Depot) is chef and he was not in.

I will do some research. My Bride ate lunch there just last week.

Panther in the Den wrote:Heard a rumor on facebook just now...

The Depot on Roosevelt road is closed

Whaaaa!!!

Just called and got a message, nothing indicating they were closed...

Called Olive Or Twist where Robert (the owner of the Depot) is chef and he was not in.

I will do some research. My Bride ate lunch there just last week.

I pumped the Facebook Peeps for more info and they had nothing solid. They do close for a day from time to time... Let's Hope for the best!

Oh no! This was my reward for having to spend hours in Horrorbles...

We went to the Ramova today and apparently they are being evicted against their will because the building was sold. No additional intel on the Chinese restaurant rumor, though.

The most exciting thing about the experience for me was that they have a PHONE BOOTH in the restaurant. A phone booth! Did you even know those still existed?!

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:We went to the Ramova today and apparently they are being evicted against their will because the building was sold. No additional intel on the Chinese restaurant rumor, though.

Again, I am going to repeat what I was trying to say above. Why do new owners of buildings feel they need to fix things by kicking out longtime establishments that are apart of the nieghborhood fabric? It never makes any sense.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:The most exciting thing about the experience for me was that they have a PHONE BOOTH in the restaurant. A phone booth! Did you even know those still existed?!

A rarity indeed.

KajmacJohnson wrote:Again, I am going to repeat what I was trying to say above. Why do new owners of buildings feel they need to fix things by kicking out longtime establishments that are apart of the nieghborhood fabric? It never makes any sense.

OTOH, not many folks invest money to fulfill someone else's (business) vision. It sucks that Ramova is closing -- I happen to really like the place -- but such is life. Couldn't they relocate? It seems like space in the area is abundant and it's still very much a renters'/buyers' market.

=R=

Sometimes "evictions" are really that the rent is being raised more than the tenant is willing to accept and it thinks it is cheaper to relocate. I have seen signs that say "lost our lease" but then nothing new comes in for years so it's not like the landlord had a more desirable tenant lined up.

I figure they just decided it was a sign from God that it was time to hang it up. 82 years is a pretty good run, right?

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:I figure they just decided it was a sign from God that it was time to hang it up. 82 years is a pretty good run, right?

I'd say so. By the time I'm 82, I'll probably have been dead for a good 15 years.

=R=

PortPkPaul wrote:Sometimes "evictions" are really that the rent is being raised more than the tenant is willing to accept and it thinks it is cheaper to relocate. I have seen signs that say "lost our lease" but then nothing new comes in for years so it's not like the landlord had a more desirable tenant lined up.

This has been happening a lot in our neighborhood. One national business chain comes in and pays an over-market rate, and suddenly all the landlords think they can get that amount from small, local, one-person businesses. They'll raise the rent, figuring they can also get a national chain, and the space goes empty for months or years.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:We went to the Ramova today and apparently they are being evicted against their will because the building was sold. No additional intel on the Chinese restaurant rumor, though.

The most exciting thing about the experience for me was that they have a PHONE BOOTH in the restaurant. A phone booth! Did you even know those still existed?!

Inconsolable over the loss of the Ramova, I get a chili cheese omelette there each week. The neighborhood is in such an uproar over the closing that I don't think anyone will set foot in the new restaurant that is replacing it. In any case, while it's still open, feel free to ask for the use of my Cholula which they keep hidden behind the counter for me. Sigh.

Opening just up the street is Kawa, a Japanese restaurant.

Kawa II Japanese Restaurant
3417 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60608

Panther in the Den wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Heard a rumor on facebook just now...

The Depot on Roosevelt road is closed

Whaaaa!!!

Just called and got a message, nothing indicating they were closed...

Called Olive Or Twist where Robert (the owner of the Depot) is chef and he was not in.

I will do some research. My Bride ate lunch there just last week.

I pumped the Facebook Peeps for more info and they had nothing solid. They do close for a day from time to time... Let's Hope for the best!

Oak Park friend of mine has just inquired about this, does anyone know anything?

Ursiform wrote:

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:We went to the Ramova today and apparently they are being evicted against their will because the building was sold. No additional intel on the Chinese restaurant rumor, though.

The most exciting thing about the experience for me was that they have a PHONE BOOTH in the restaurant. A phone booth! Did you even know those still existed?!

Inconsolable over the loss of the Ramova, I get a chili cheese omelette there each week. The neighborhood is in such an uproar over the closing that I don't think anyone will set foot in the new restaurant that is replacing it. In any case, while it's still open, feel free to ask for the use of my Cholula which they keep hidden behind the counter for me. Sigh.

This seems like a story for John Kaas to write. I agree with Ronnie that whomever bought the property doesn't have to float someone else's business legacy. On the other hand, maybe the new owner doesn't appreciate just what a community anchor Ramova is.

Ursiform wrote:Opening just up the street is Kawa, a Japanese restaurant.

Kawa II Japanese Restaurant
3417 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL 60608

This is a block away from me. How did I not notice? Anyway, that's cheering news - one thing I was sad to leave behind when we moved to the Southside was easy access to sushi.

LikestoEatout wrote:Oak Park friend of mine has just inquired about this, does anyone know anything?

Their website appears to be gone, but no one has changed the phone message. I would have left a voicemail, but they apparently don't check it daily.

LikestoEatout wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Heard a rumor on facebook just now...

The Depot on Roosevelt road is closed

I pumped the Facebook Peeps for more info and they had nothing solid. They do close for a day from time to time... Let's Hope for the best!

Oak Park friend of mine has just inquired about this, does anyone know anything?

I did a drive by yesterday and while I cannot say anything they might be closed for a short while (fingers crossed).