Beard Papa's location was getting worse and worse. That mall is starting to look like a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie and the basement level where Beard Papa was located was sort of depressing. I'd also agree with BR, I never really loved the cream puffs and maybe they were getting worse for lack of business.

Oh well, always sad to lose an interesting (though underwhelming) Loop option.

I am surprised because I just saw someone with a box of them on the 16th. That must have been a quick closing. I thought they were tasty little bites, but I really have a fond memory of them because a friend gave me a box as a hostess gift once.

All I have to say is, don't tell pairs4life.

BR wrote:I only hit them once, but I was extremely disappointed and never returned - stale pastry, cloyingly sweet filling. Maybe the wrong day, maybe the wrong location, or maybe the reason they failed.

Really? I hit them numerous times and never, ever would make either of those statements. They always baked the pate a choux fresh every day, so it was the perfect consistency - ever so slightly crispy on the outside, even though that made them messy to eat because they would easily crumble in your hand. And the filling was precisely the opposite of cloyingly sweet; it was only slightly sweet, not overly sweet, and very light - I think they probably fold whipped cream into the classic creme patissiere so that gave it the perfect light texture and prevented it from being as sticky/gluey or cloying as traditional pastry cream.

Incidentally, I've had them in a couple of their other locations, and they were exactly like the ones here in Chicago. True masterpieces.

jesteinf wrote:Beard Papa's location was getting worse and worse. That mall is starting to look like a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie and the basement level where Beard Papa was located was sort of depressing.

Actually, that part of the pedway (and the empty so-called "mall" above it) has been virtually deserted pretty much ever since it opened; I rarely saw much traffic down there, other than in prime commuting hours when a few people were walking that corridor to get to the el (and not stopping to shop or eat). It was a terrible location, with poor visibility for the few folks who were down there, and difficult to find for anyone looking for it for the first time. Location, location, location...

nsxtasy wrote:

BR wrote:I only hit them once, but I was extremely disappointed and never returned - stale pastry, cloyingly sweet filling. Maybe the wrong day, maybe the wrong location, or maybe the reason they failed.

Really? I hit them numerous times and never, ever would make either of those statements. They always baked the pate a choux fresh every day, so it was the perfect consistency - ever so slightly crispy on the outside, even though that made them messy to eat because they would easily crumble in your hand.

But a proper pate a choux should not crumble - at that point, it's dry and stale.

BR wrote:But a proper pate a choux should not crumble - at that point, it's dry and stale.

Then I guess it's something other than a "proper pate a choux". Because it's not overly dry and not at all stale, has hardly been sitting around at all. The shells at Beard Papa's were wonderful because they crumbled - due to being extremely fresh, not extremely stale. (Usually, things that get dry and stale are hard, not crumbly and delicate.)

I guess I liked it because they took the classic cream puff - traditional pate a choux and creme patissiere - and improved on both elements. Traditional, no - but delicious and exquisite.

BR wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

chgoeditor wrote:Another loss to Chicagoans with a sweet tooth: Beard Papa closed on Nov. 24. Their cream puffs were a recent addiction of mine, and one I indulged infrequently given their distance from my home & office.

IMHO this is a huge loss. I really enjoyed their cream puffs, and they were different from anyone else's (thanks to being filled when you order, so they were always slightly crispy, never soggy - also their pastry cream was superb).

Oh well, I guess I'll need to get them when I'm visiting other cities.

I only hit them once, but I was extremely disappointed and never returned - stale pastry, cloyingly sweet filling. Maybe the wrong day, maybe the wrong location, or maybe the reason they failed.

I'd say you hit them at an off moment. The two things I loved about their cream puffs: The pastry cream was on the lighter side/not overly sweet and the cream puffs were that great combo of crisp with an eggy interior. I even found that I could leave them in the fridge for a day or two without them getting stale or soggy.

The store's Twitter feed indicates that the franchise owners moved from LA to open this location. In a tweet they said they were sure someone would open another Chicagoland location at some point in the future, but it wouldn't be them.

Meanwhile in the tri-village area (Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest)...

Why has no one told me about the new The Junction Diner? I guess that because it is a kid's themed restaurant? Looking at the menu it has sandwiches, wraps, salads. Nothing earth shattering.

7401 W Madison St, Forest Park
(708) 771-5276
http://thejunctiondiner.com

Almost right across the street...

Fiorenza Ristorante

They did a great job of spiffing up the façade. Looks nice.

7404 W Madison St, Forest Park
(708) 366-1400
http://www.fiorenzaristorante.com

Down the block in the old La Piazza / Shuckin' Grill space...

Piggyback
410 Circle Ave, Forest Park
(708) 669-9744
http://www.piggybacktavern.com

Yeah, yeah, I know. Hammond is keeping an eye on it

Could be good! Split between Taco's and BBQ. I enjoy Antique Taco.

Maybe we need to get the Oak Park Boy's together to get some reviews in.

An Oak Park Boys night at Fiorenza or Piggyback sounds like a good idea.

A new burger joint is opening in the old Evanston bopngrill...something like Fat Man's.
World of Beer is opening soon at the corner of Orrington & Davis (Evanston). I don't know if this is a bar or a retail outlet.
Duffy's is now closed (the bar upstairs of Marco Polo) in Skokie.

Pie Lady wrote:A new burger joint is opening in the old Evanston bopngrill...something like Fat Man's.
World of Beer is opening soon at the corner of Orrington & Davis (Evanston). I don't know if this is a bar or a retail outlet.
Duffy's is now closed (the bar upstairs of Marco Polo) in Skokie.

World of Beer

Oh boy! Caps!

M, at the corner of Green Bay & Central in Highland Park, is kaput.

Oh boy oh boy
Looks like there's a grocery going in around 6103 N. Northwest Highway. I believe the name was something like Northwest Fresh Market. Hooray...a place within walking distance that is not Dominick's!

A new spot in Highwood next to Isaac and Moishe's Deli in the former Cooling Station ice cream location on Waukegan Ave. called Longitud 315. Sign in the window promises a new fusion of South American cuisine.

315 Waukegan Ave.,
Highwood, IL 60040
847-926-7495

http://www.longitud315.com

Hours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30pm to 10:00pm.
Saturdays from 10:00am to 10:00pm
Sundays from 8:30am to 8:00pm (Brunch from 8:30am to 3:00pm)

Darren72 wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:A new burger joint is opening in the old Evanston bopngrill...something like Fat Man's.
World of Beer is opening soon at the corner of Orrington & Davis (Evanston). I don't know if this is a bar or a retail outlet.
Duffy's is now closed (the bar upstairs of Marco Polo) in Skokie.

World of Beer

Saw a World of Beer location in the Freedom Commons in Naperville across the parking lot from Naf Naf. Wasn't sure what it was, there were 4 guys tossing a football out in front which is something you usually don't see in a suburban mall parking lot plus other guys popping in and out the door. .

tem wrote:M, at the corner of Green Bay & Central in Highland Park, is kaput.

Another HP restaurant bites the dust.

Ram4 wrote:

tem wrote:M, at the corner of Green Bay & Central in Highland Park, is kaput.

Another HP restaurant bites the dust.

Gotta be one of the worst locations to put a restaurant. Even though it's on a busy intersection - it's set too far back from the street for someone to notice. Parking sucks on that block and we're too lazy to drive around the block and park in the Renaissance garage for free.

Dave148 wrote:

Ram4 wrote:

tem wrote:M, at the corner of Green Bay & Central in Highland Park, is kaput.

Another HP restaurant bites the dust.

Parking sucks on that block and we're too lazy to drive around the block and park in the Renaissance garage for free.

Yes! Pretty much nailed it. Although I have walked numerous times downtown HP and back to my house which is around 3 miles round trip. Not very HP of me!

Even though it's funny, it's also true and that IS what makes that corner spot a doomed restaurant location (unless the food was so good that people didn't care).

Municipal Bar + Dining Co.
216 W. Ohio St.
Opening Dec. 15 for brunch through late-night small plates until 3 a.m., or 2 a.m. Sunday through Friday. (No phone or website yet.)

Dona Torta at Ashland and Barry is papered over with a sign in the window that says they're moving to the 3300 block of W. 26th St.

riddlemay wrote:Dona Torta at Ashland and Barry is papered over with a sign in the window that says they're moving to the 3300 block of W. 26th St.

Very sad for West Lakeview. Great tortas, great service, never skimped on the giant pieces of avocado on the sandwiches, salsas fiery, griddled steak flavorful and chewy. R.I.P.

(A trivial correction: Had occasion to drive by Dona Torta again today, and noticed that my memory played tricks in one respect--it is not papered over. It is, however, thoroughly emptied out and closed, with a sign in the window reading as I described.)

Ba Le on Washington in the Loop is opening on the 10th!

marothisu wrote:The new Benjyehuda (10 S LaSalle) will probably be open in a week or two ...

Not sure if this was reported or not, but their new location finally opened (within the past week I believe based on what people have posted on their facebook). I walked by today and they were fairly busy.

A new little fast food outpost will be opening soon around 6400 N. Lincoln behind the Oberweis. It's called something like Original Maxwell Street Fast Food.

According to the Edzo's Lincoln Park Facebook page and this blurb in The Weekender, Edzo's Lincoln Park is opening on Tuesday, December 11th:

http://www.urbandaddy.com/chi/weekender ... hicago_CHI

Italian Superior Bakery is closing January1, 2012
Oh man.... Just paid a visit to Italian Superior Bakery today and I read a notice that they posted at the counter saying they are closing permanently January 1, 2013. They are encouraging everyone to place their last orders for bread if you want to freeze it for future fixes. Too bad....I really oved their muffaletta



Italian Superior Bakery
931 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL
312-733-5092

Smashburger in Darien is closed.

Not surprised, the few times I went in there it seemed like 90% of their business was via Groupon.

TheWindyCity wrote:Italian Superior Bakery is closing January1, 2012
Oh man.... Just paid a visit to Italian Superior Bakery today and I read a notice that they posted at the counter saying they are closing permanently January 1, 2013.

Wow! Any idea why?

Pie Lady wrote:

TheWindyCity wrote:Italian Superior Bakery is closing January1, 2012
Oh man.... Just paid a visit to Italian Superior Bakery today and I read a notice that they posted at the counter saying they are closing permanently January 1, 2013.

Wow! Any idea why?

It said the usual - "due to the economy".