Katie wrote:I think this is my first time reporting an opening: Pho House just opened a few days ago in Libertyville, in the same shopping center as Baker's Square and Burt's Deli. I just stopped by to pick up a menu yesterday; haven't eaten there yet. This is the northernmost Chicago-area pho location that I know of.

In addition to the usual Chinese restaurant suspects, their menu has a Vietnamese section (appetizers, banh mi, pho, etc.) and a few Thai items. Pho is also on the lunch special menu. To celebrate their grand opening, prices are 10% off through 5/31/14.

Pho House
1183 S. Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, IL 60048
(847) 984-2776
Mon-Thur 11-2:30 and 4:30-9:30
Fri-Sun 11-10
www.phohousemenu.com

I actually ate there recently and tried the Pho and it was good (Argyle still is a bit better). But for the only Vietnamese place in the northern burbs I'll take it. =)

Something called Eats and Sweets is going to take over the space at Montrose and Paulina that was recently vacated by Angel Food Bakery.

The City Tavern in the South Loop has closed.

Walking by Madison and Racine the restaurant supply has a building permit in the window for Great American Bagel.

Saw a sign food something called "Asian Express" - Chinese at 1009 Davis St. Evanston. Other than the fact that it's nice to have something going into that empty storefront, I'm not overly excited.

fropones wrote:Brand BBQ at Armitage and California has shuttered (again). In it's place is coming a Piedmontese restaurant called Osteria Langhe opening next month.

Eater

Osteria Langhe is now open.

Naf Naf has opened at Randhurst Village in Mt. Prospect, in the same outlot building as Pei Wei.

Does anyone have any info on a new restaurant opening in Roscoe Village next to Piazza Bella? Supposedly Chino Latino?

Only what I saw on Everyblock--not exactly a detailed description

Chino Latino info

DNA Chicago is reporting that Ribs and Bibs has closed....again.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140514 ... -hyde-park

Knowing my rep, this is already common knowledge, but St. Andrew's Inn is closed. Another sad day for me!

Dragon Inn, formerly of Glenwood, is opening again in Homewood at 2057 Ridge Road sometime this month, according to the local news. At one time they opened a restaurant in northwest Indiana, but I think that is now closed.

Suzy

Looks like Taste of Morocco in Aurora has closed. In its place, a branch of Mr Broast has opened. There's another outpost of Mr Broast in Lombard.

Website says they serve halal meat. Broasted chicken.

Mr Broast
2202 Ogden Avenue
Aurora
630-229-0429

A new middle eastern/Mediterranean place has opened where BadHappy used to be at 939 N Orleans. Small place with 5 tables, and maybe seats 15-20 but it is clean and fairly nice inside. They have the standard schwarma, kebab (including lamb kebab), falafel, but also Merguez, Tilapia, lamb chops, etc. They also have Zaalouk which is a Moroccan eggplant kind of salad (roasted or boiled and smashed eggplant, garlic, tomato, spices, etc). Food was better than I thought it would be - everything was really good. They have an $8 meat special for lunch which is a skewer of chicken kebab, a skewer of kefta, and a little merguez with rice (spiced with cinnamon) and a side salad. Owners were really nice too.


Al-Andalus Grill
939 N Orleans
312-624-9886

Brendan Sodikoff is planning an oyster bar for a spot on Kinzie Street, two doors down from his Bavette's Bar & Boeuf restaurant. Triton Oyster Bar: Steak & Lobster will be a 35-seat, no-reservations restaurant, set to open in fall. "The nice thing about no reservations is that you don't have to plan," Mr. Sodikoff said.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... oyster-bar

The 2600 and 2700 blocks of Lawrence Avenue are developing a Vietnamese presence. The latest entry is:

Cafe Huong
2711 W. Lawrence
Chicago IL 60625
773-961-7211
10 am - 10 pm
Closed Tuesdays

Their Grand Opening flyer says they offer Hot Pot, Pho, Banh Xeo and Karaoke. It joins:

GNR Nhu' Lan Bakery & Sandwiches
2612 W Lawrence
773-878-9898

New Asia Restaurant
2705 W Lawrence Avenue
(773) 728-2406

LD Pho
2739 W Lawrence

Apparently Masada is opening next week. There is a tasting dinner next Wednesday (May 28th) and I think it opens to the public the following day. I have to say, when I heard about this I thought it would be just another Middle Eastern restaurant with really standard stuff you'd find in anywhere America. After reading this article, I'm really excited. I see some stuff on there you won't find at tons of places in town like Koshari and Jew's Mallow Soup.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140519 ... are-may-28

This area is getting very interesting of late. It will also have a basement lounge, a dance floor, and 3 few bars. Open until 2am everyday and 3am on Saturdays.

Masada
2206 N California Ave

Cosina Grill at 1706 W Foster, Chicago, appears to be closed. Went by last week and saw papered over windows.

In the spot that was once Louie's diner (much missed in the 'hood) and was for a few years Moose Grill comes Relish - American Street Food, opening Summer 2014 per signs in the windows. The signs also announce "gourmet burgers." I hope that Relish has better hours than Moose Grill, which were so limited I never made it there to try it.

Relish - American Street Food (not yet open)
7210 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
773.654.3329
http://relish-chicago.com/

Mr. Spanky's has closed.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140520 ... d-for-good

Per their website:

We are continuing our catering and selling Mr.Spanky’s Bacon and this is now our main focus. It is available for home delivery through Artizone as well as MrSpankys.com

Mr. Spanky's (closed)
335 W 31st Street
Chicago, IL 60616

Wow Egyptian Fast Food (House of Ancient Egypt) in Carol Stream has closed. Saw a for sale sign on the building a while ago and saw that nobody has posted about its closing. It was only open for less than two years. It seemed that it was being remodeled longer than it was actually open. The restaurant was discussed in this thread.

Wow Egyptian Fast Food (closed)
105 Stark Dr
Carol Stream, IL 60188

Looks like Benjyehuda is opening their first non-Loop location in Lincoln Park at 2485 N Clark, where Tzatziki Grill was and recently closed. Good stuff...supposed to open sometime in June

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140520 ... k-location

"Top Chef" contestant and restaurateur Fabio Viviani is bringing fast-casual Italian cuisine to the Loop. Mr. Viviani's Mercato will be one of seven food stations in the new Rustle & Roux food court on the second floor of the Franklin building at 227 W. Monroe St. It will serve Napoli-style pizza and pasta. The chef also is a partner in River North's Sienna Tavern with Chicago-based restaurant developers DineAmic Group.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... -west-loop

Homaro Cantu's iNG shuttering after Saturday service says Chicago Tribune

Here's a bit more detail on the iNG closing, from Eater.com. . .

Kitchen Eatery on the corner of Rt. 83 & St. Charles is closed.
http://elmhurst.patch.com/groups/opinio ... atery-gone

Spiaggia has reopened.

Penzey's in Oak Park is closed according to their website.

Pie Lady wrote:Penzey's in Oak Park is closed according to their website.

According to this article, they are searching for a different location in or around Oak Park.

BR wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:Penzey's in Oak Park is closed according to their website.

According to this article, they are searching for a different location in or around Oak Park.

I really hope they find a spot, losing them would sting.