The Barnum & Bagel property on Dempster just east of Skokie Blvd. has been purchased by Pita Inn.

Cross-posted on the Ice Cream List thread,

Per Uptown Update, a Zarlengo's is opening next to Baker & Nosh in Uptown.

Baker & Nosh
1303 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-7393
http://www.bakerandnosh.com/

The GP wrote:Cross-posted on the Ice Cream List thread,

Per Uptown Update, a Zarlengo's is opening next to Baker & Nosh in Uptown.

Baker & Nosh
1303 W Wilson Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 989-7393
http://www.bakerandnosh.com/

Not quite:

Baker & Nosh wrote:Finally! As some of you already know, we have been planning an expansion of our store. This has been in the works since late spring, but unfortunately has taken much longer than anticipated.
We are now ready to begin work and hope to have this open by the end of September. One of our new offerings that we are most excited about is Zarlengo's Gelato!
We have tried many different companies and found Zarlengo's quality to be second to none. This combined with the fact that they are a local, family-owned business just made it a perfect fit.

Marco wrote:What happened to Everest Burger up on Green Bay rd in Glencoe? Tried to go yesterday but everything inside is gone, no sign or anything.

not surprised it closed. We went there last summer and my wife asked for the 'special', which was written on a sign in the window in Spanish. Later, the bill did not have the 'special', but each item listed individually for $3-4 more.

When asked, the owner said that the special was only for "landscapers", which should have been obvious since it was written in Spanish She then chewed out her teenage son who was our server.

We got the special price but never went back because the burgers sucked anyhow.

Evanston Trader Joe's Update: signboard in the vestibule says that they will be opening Friday, 9/6. Biggest TJ's I've seen outside of the West Coast, easily 2X the size of the Glenview location. I'd be surprised if the Whole Foods virtually next door ever sells another bottle of wine.

Sai Cafe appears to be moving to the NW corner of Sheffield & Armitage. There is a new "sai cafe" sign directly over the door and the windows at the new spot (which I believe was previously a clothing store) are papered over. Based on a valet parking sight, I have every reason to believe the existing location is still open.

Esencia Urban Kitchen (www.esenciaurbankitchen.com/‎) has opened in Lakeview.
3351 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-8553

What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

Branch 27 in West Town has shuttered

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2013/08/26/post-8.php

3 restaurants have shuttered on Chicago Ave this year.. ouch! Hopefully this is not a downward trend for the neighborhood, but instead just a turnover process to match the younger crowd in the neighborhood

The soon-to-open City Dough (corner of Sheffield and Wellington, former Pompei) may be changing its concept away from pizzas, pastas, and baked goods--or at least, that's what I take away from this article. If that's true, I wonder if the name "City Dough" will prove problematic.

In the old Tanzitaro spot at the intersection of Elston & Milwaukee, we will soon be getting a Noon-O-Kabob.

Pie Lady wrote:In the old Tanzitaro spot at the intersection of Elston & Milwaukee, we will soon be getting a Noon-O-Kabob.

Where did you see that?

I drove past the place and there's a banner on the west side of the building and on the front awning.

jay2021 wrote:The Barnum & Bagel property on Dempster just east of Skokie Blvd. has been purchased by Pita Inn.

Wow, that took a while? Any more news? I'm not holding my breath that they'll keep the building, let alone the circus-themed interior, but it sure would be great if they did.

ndgbucktown wrote:

jay2021 wrote:The Barnum & Bagel property on Dempster just east of Skokie Blvd. has been purchased by Pita Inn.

Wow, that took a while? Any more news? I'm not holding my breath that they'll keep the building, let alone the circus-themed interior, but it sure would be great if they did.

I'm more concerned that they'll find some of the "regulars" still sitting in their booths when they go in to remodel.

Pie Lady wrote:What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

Not sure but Southport seems to be turning into an outdoor mall as the franchises are moving in.

Closing Sunday September 1st.

A few changes will be made for our last days. The nightly specials are done. We will just be offering our regular dining menus.

Please use up your birthday coupons and gift certificates by Sunday night.

We will NOT be open for Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch. Dinner only.

As of this THURSDAY we will only be accepting CASH as payment. If we know you we will accept your personal check.

We will still have our singer, country star Ricky Lee Shuttack performing Friday night and our final KARAOKE Saturday night.

BERTUCCI'S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
246 Green Bay Road
Highwood
(847) 432-6663

Pie Lady wrote:I drove past the place and there's a banner on the west side of the building and on the front awning.

Thanks! It is nice to see something open in that area rather than close!

Hopefully this is not a downward trend for the neighborhood, but instead just a turnover process to match the younger crowd in the neighborhood

. . . as the saying goes, one time is chance, twice is a coincidence - but three times is a trend. And not a good trend, I'm afraid.

I believe they will do something similar to Noon O Kabab on Kedzie. Barnum and Bagel will be dine in and the old place will be carry out and possibly delivery. Parking is something they desperately needed....Problem solved !!!

rmtraut wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

Not sure but Southport seems to be turning into an outdoor mall as the franchises are moving in.

Who else can afford the rents around there any more?

This is what happens when a neighborhood takes off and keeps right on going: eventually it becomes a victim of its own success.

Pie Lady wrote:What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

When did Frida's close? It was good but not great Mexican (compared to, say, Zocalo let alone Sol de Mexico), yet decent enough to be our pre-Music Box default choice.

Now if Julius Meinl closes, the corridor's _really_ in trouble.

sundevilpeg wrote:

Hopefully this is not a downward trend for the neighborhood, but instead just a turnover process to match the younger crowd in the neighborhood

. . . as the saying goes, one time is chance, twice is a coincidence - but three times is a trend. And not a good trend, I'm afraid.

Hopefully that isn't the case. Although the area has lost Leopold, West Town Tavern and Branch 27, the area still has many great restaurants (Ruxbin, Mexique, Flo, Green Zebra, Frontier). Leopold is being replaced by Unite Urban Grill, Shaman opened recently and TWO is doing very well on Grand. But who knows..

Rent is high in that area so that probably has a lot to do with it

sdrucker wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

When did Frida's close? It was good but not great Mexican (compared to, say, Zocalo let alone Sol de Mexico), yet decent enough to be our pre-Music Box default choice.

Now if Julius Meinl closes, the corridor's _really_ in trouble.

I don't remember. We were just walking by last Saturday when I noticed it. Julius has quite a few competitors lately; two on Southport and Irving, Ass Coffee further north on Southport, and Cafe something across the street. But they do have the big sweets menu, and savories too, if I'm not mistaken. The other places are primarily coffee.

According to my sister, a sign outside of the former Arby's in Warrenville, says will be replaced with a Hardee's. No idea of when it will be opening.

Hardee's
4405 Winfield Rd
Warrenville, IL

Pie Lady wrote:

sdrucker wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:What's the deal with the area near Music Box? There's so much gone. Frida's, Hye Bar, Blue Bayou, Bull-eh-Dias...

When did Frida's close? It was good but not great Mexican (compared to, say, Zocalo let alone Sol de Mexico), yet decent enough to be our pre-Music Box default choice.

Now if Julius Meinl closes, the corridor's _really_ in trouble.

I don't remember. We were just walking by last Saturday when I noticed it. Julius has quite a few competitors lately; two on Southport and Irving, Ass Coffee further north on Southport, and Cafe something across the street. But they do have the big sweets menu, and savories too, if I'm not mistaken. The other places are primarily coffee.

According to a VERY good source, Frieda's was evicted. Blue Bayou should be reopening shortly, there is activity inside, they were just closing for a remodel. Bull El Dia relocated over to Ashland, and Que Syrah is also moving, but just a few doors down.

^^
Thanks for the clarification. Good to know about Bull El Dia and Blue Bayou (we've been to the latter a few times), and disappointing but not completely surprising about Frieda's. It was a good alternative to the lines at Tango Sur, but margarita and art aside, I wished it had more consistent quality and a little more imagination in their dinner menu.

Julius does have competitors, but it's relatively close to the Music Box, and given their menu offerings and "Old World" styling, they're a classy place to go after movies or for breakfast. I've actually driven there and worked out of the one on Southport a few times simply because I like the atmosphere more than the plasticity of Starbucks.

Ina's is closing -> Link to story in the Ina's thread.

Pie Lady wrote:I don't remember. We were just walking by last Saturday when I noticed it. Julius has quite a few competitors lately; two on Southport and Irving, Ass Coffee further north on Southport, and Cafe something across the street. But they do have the big sweets menu, and savories too, if I'm not mistaken. The other places are primarily coffee.

"Ass coffee"??

That doesn't sound very appealing.

Drover wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:I don't remember. We were just walking by last Saturday when I noticed it. Julius has quite a few competitors lately; two on Southport and Irving, Ass Coffee further north on Southport, and Cafe something across the street. But they do have the big sweets menu, and savories too, if I'm not mistaken. The other places are primarily coffee.

"Ass coffee"??

That doesn't sound very appealing.

It's actually Bad Ass Coffee, and is a chain out of Hawaii. It may as well be called Ass Coffee. The other place I believe Pie Lady was alluding to is Café Tola. It's a "cute" little coffee place with some pretty darn good empanadas. I've actually been meaning to get back for a visit.

Zoup restaurant is breaking the Chicago barrier.

The Southfield, Mich.-based fast-casual chain is opening at Clark and Adams streets in October. It will be the sixth location in the state and the first within city limits. Zoup has opened franchises in Aurora, Orland Park and Downers Grove. A Glenview location will also open this year.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... up-for-you