Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings, April - June 2014

Please post all related news on this thread.

For last quarter's Openings and Closings, please this thread:

Openings, Closings, Comings & Goings, January - March 2014

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Important Reminder:

LTH,

Please, do not post about a closing without making absolutely certain that your information is correct and accurate in every way.

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It's far more important to be accurate than early with your information. The best course of action may be to make a phone call to the establishment before posting anything. But whatever you do, make sure you are 100% correct before posting about a closing on this thread or any other in these forums.

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for the moderators

From AP Wires:


In a surprise development that was kept under wraps as well as the death of Will Gardner, Dan Kelch announced today the opening of his new restaurant, I Lirpa Cafe

It was a double shock as no one thought Kelch would open a new spot so soon after the loss of Taco Diablo, and the new restaurant is located in the old Lulu's location that was earmarked for Brian Huston and partner's Boltwood.

Kelch said that after recovering from the trauma of the Pine Yard fire he was consumed with getting back in the game. This time he wanted to do something completely different. What he came up with is different indeed. When he opened Lulu's, its Pan Asian menu was au courant , but not ground breaking. I Lirpa Cafe's German-Cantonese mash up is an earthquake. Kelch said he wanted to combine the memories of his mother's cooking along with his favorite childhood carryout food.


Participants in test meals were mostly positive about the taste of items such as Chop Suey with Beef Schnitzel, and Field Marshall Rommel's Chicken. On a follow up survey, however, the diners universally complained that an hour after dining they were hungry for power.

scottsol wrote:From AP Wires:


In a surprise development that was kept under wraps as well as the death of Will Gardner, Dan Kelch announced today the opening of his new restaurant, I Lirpa Cafe

It was a double shock as no one thought Kelch would open a new spot so soon after the loss of Taco Diablo, and the new restaurant is located in the old Lulu's location that was earmarked for Brian Huston and partner's Boltwood.

Kelch said that after recovering from the trauma of the Pine Yard fire he was consumed with getting back in the game. This time he wanted to do something completely different. What he came up with is different indeed. When he opened Lulu's, its Pan Asian menu was au courant , but not ground breaking. I Lirpa Cafe's German-Cantonese mash up is an earthquake. Kelch said he wanted to combine the memories of his mother's cooking along with his favorite childhood carryout food.


Participants in test meals were mostly positive about the taste of items such as Chop Suey with Beef Schnitzel, and Field Marshall Rommel's Chicken. On a follow up survey, however, the diners universally complained that an hour after dining they were hungry for power.

Cute.

Oak Park Restaurant to Offer Semen-based Menu


Relaxed fish

During an interview last year with Chef Macku Chan of Macku Signature (2925 N. Halsted) for a feature in the Chicago Sun-Times, he told me that he planned to put "fish milt" on his menu. This food item, revered in many parts of the world, was served also at Mirai Sushi (2020 W. Division) when Macku was chef there.

Milt is fish semen, and in many parts of the world, it's eaten as a delicacy, a rare and treasured foodstuff. My experience has been that if an ingredient has some nutritive value, it will find a place on dinner tables, however odd the food may seem at first. Cases in point: goat eyeball tacos at the Mexican-centric Maxwell Street Market and duck tongues at Chinese restaurants like Ed's Potsticker House on Halsted.

And so it is with fish sperm: it sounds odd, but around the world, it's what's for dinner.

In Russia, it's called "moloka," and it's pickled.

In Sicily, it's called "lattume" and it's eaten over pasta (of course!)

In Romania, it's called "lapti," and it's usually fried.

Japanese eat the semen of a number of fish, including the common cod and the notoriously deadly puffer fish.

Late last week, a company called Uncle Milty's announced plans to launch a restaurant in Oak Park that will specialize in seafood spermatozoa; they currently have three locations, two in Japan and one in Cleveland. Uncle Milty's is looking for an appropriate space in Oak Park right now.

According to restaurateur Kyu Sakamoto, the "Village of Oak Park has been extraordinarily welcoming to us. In fact, we've never worked with a more sperm-friendly local government. It's clear that the Village is wildly enthusiastic about the culinary potential of piscine ejaculate."

Sakamoto revealed that Uncle Milty's is looking at two relatively small locations that just opened up on Harrison Street. "Our intention is to start modestly," Sakamoto said, "and we'll be the first to admit this is a risky concept. But we're convinced that though we will face challenges, and though we anticipate some initial hard times, we believe our efforts here in Oak Park will have a happy ending."

You had me going for a minute there. But you're probably onto something.

On any day of the year (not just 4/1), this delicasy can be enjoyed at GNR Dancen.

We are excited to announce our newest store, Naf Naf Glenview/Northbrook will open this fall!
If you don't live in Chicago, don't worry. We will soon announce our first new city outside of the Chicago area!! Spreading the Naf Love!
Peace

https://www.facebook.com/nafnafgrill/po ... eam_ref=10

Exact location is not listed, but I imagine it will be near Willow Rd.

Gyros on the Spit has returned.

Gyros on the Spit
2826 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
773-689-7999

Eataly to open zero-gravity orbital location

That is gross!

zoid wrote:Eataly to open zero-gravity orbital location

Expect parking to be expensive, though plentiful.

The food might be good, but there's no atmosphere.

Forgive me if I missed it, but I don't see that anyone mentioned that Tank Sushi is closed. It will re-open as a Fillipino restaurant! I was pretty devastated, since this was our go-to take out sushi place. Now we have to find another one to order sushi from. We're in Lincoln Square, and could order from Agami. Any opinions about that place, or any others in the Lincoln square/Ravenswood/North Center area?

Akatonbo wrote:Forgive me if I missed it, but I don't see that anyone mentioned that Tank Sushi is closed. It will re-open as a Fillipino restaurant! I was pretty devastated, since this was our go-to take out sushi place. Now we have to find another one to order sushi from. We're in Lincoln Square, and could order from Agami. Any opinions about that place, or any others in the Lincoln square/Ravenswood/North Center area?

Closing noted recently in the Tank Sushi thread.

Sign on the former Icosium Café at Clark and Foster says that Middle East Bakery & Grocery is expanding, presumably into the Icosium space.

RobK wrote:Sign on the former Icosium Café at Clark and Foster says that Middle East Bakery & Grocery is expanding, presumably into the Icosium space.

Poetic justice at it's finest. For many years Mom's/Mon's Bakery (it was spelled two different ways on the signage) occupied the entire building. Now, the whole building is a bakery again.

lodasi wrote:

We are excited to announce our newest store, Naf Naf Glenview/Northbrook will open this fall!
If you don't live in Chicago, don't worry. We will soon announce our first new city outside of the Chicago area!! Spreading the Naf Love!
Peace

https://www.facebook.com/nafnafgrill/po ... eam_ref=10

Exact location is not listed, but I imagine it will be near Willow Rd.

Also expected a Naf Naf at Randhurst Village

The restaurateurs who brought contemporary spots Siena Tavern and Public House to River North are taking a stab at a Chicago institution: the steakhouse.

Chicago-based DineAmic Group plans a 12,000-square-foot steakhouse called Prime & Provisions in an office building at LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive. DineAmic is entering a crowded segment of the downtown restaurant business, and its nearest competitor will be the wildly popular Chicago Cut, just across the Chicago River.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... hicago-cut

The long awaited opening of Elly's Pancake House on Milwaukee & Central has finally happened. They are open 24/7; to serve your pancake needs.

In addition to the typical menu of a Greek owned coffee shop, there is a small counter where they sell pastries, croissants and baguettes. At fist glance, the baguettes in particular looked very good. As with desserts and pastries served at these style joints, they often look much better than they taste, so I'll reserve judgment on the baked goods until I get a chance to actually try them. One thing that they have going in their favor is that they don't buy the baked goods from Chicago Sweet Connection like most of their peers. They actually have a bakery in house that is visible through some windows behind the pastry counter.

Elly's Pancake House
5310 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60630
773-775-1333

Fifille and I have had lunch at Ellys once and bread numerous times. The baguettes are the best I. The area by a wide margin. Croissants, pan chocolat, and pan au raisin are good but not la Boulangerie good.

The skirt steak I had for 15 bucks whooped the butt of the $45 ribeye I had at Ray Radigans recently.

stevez wrote:The long awaited opening of Elly's Pancake House on Milwaukee & Central has finally happened. They are open 24/7; to serve your pancake needs.

It sounds like I have missed a bet by not going to the one at Clark and North more often. We went not long after it opened, and didn't hate it, but didn't find anything above-average about it, either. Either they weren't up to speed yet, or we ordered wrong, or we have bad taste, or we just don't agree.

Mercadito Counter

"A Mexican Deli"

"Opening Soon"

Conveniently located right next door to Clark St. Ale House.



Source: Huge big signs all over the frontage.

Roger Ramjet wrote:Mercadito Counter

"A Mexican Deli"

"Opening Soon"

Conveniently located right next door to Clark St. Ale House.



Source: Huge big signs all over the frontage.

738 N Clark St.
Chicago IL, 60654

Cafe Society in the South Loop is getting a new menu, new look, new name and, the owners hope, a liquor license.

The sandwich and coffee spot that Jorge Armando Afanador opened in September 2000 is turning into Spoke & Bird in May. Alicia Bird, a project manager at online advertising buying firm Centro LLC, and Scott Golas, founder and CEO of Xmplifi, a Chicago-based software company, are now the majority owners. Mr. Afanador will remain as a minority partner who will manage the restaurant and its catering operations.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... spoke-bird

Got a letter in the mail for the Le Pain Quotidien at 10 East Delaware. In the letter it says they plan to open next month (May). Didn't say when in May.

The Big Cheese Poutinerie has opened their first US location in Wrigleyville. Read about it from eater's chicago edition and consider me intrigued. I know Bad Happy Poutine is closed and while there are plenty of restaurants that serve a version, this place specializes in the Quebec dish. Looking forward to trying it.

The Big Cheese Poutinerie
3401 N Clark
Chicago IL 60657

Sugar Hills Bakery is now open in the shopping center at Addison, Elston and Kedzie. It appeared in the Openings, etc. thread on November 3 where Pie Lady noted the coming soon status and location next to a dentist. The location is still listed as coming soon on their web site.

I stopped in this afternoon and bought a walnut caramel tart, which is atypical for their products. The tart had a good walnut and caramel flavor without being sickeningly sweet.

There are some tables and chairs for eating in. Coffees and teas are available as well as three sandwiches served warm. The baked goods are mostly cakes in one form or another along with a limited assortment of cookies, a few tarts and three filled croissants. No indication of hours on web site or card I picked up.

Sugar Hills Bakery
3235 West Addison Street
Chicago, IL 60618
773-961-7077
http://www.sugarhillsbakery.com/

Mooyah, Burgers. Fries & Shakes. A burger chain out of Plano Texas just opened up in the Glen in Glenview. I have not been in, but it seems a lot like 5Guys with a few more options as far as buns and toppings go.
Has anyone been there or to any of their other locations?


Mooyah
1839 Tower Dr
Glen Town Center
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 834-0948
mooyah.com

The Asian supermarket just north of Golf on Milwaukee (technically Glenview) has closed, as well as Saboo Korean restaurant next door.