Le Pain Quotidien plans to open its fourth Chicago location at 20 N. Michigan Ave., the company told the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... 5329.story

DMChicago wrote:Vapiano on Clark & Wrightwood is shuttered.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... ark-closes

JoelF wrote:Yet another Lao Sze Chuan? Yes, in Skokie.

Repost - posted three days ago, in post #21 above.

nsxtasy wrote:

JoelF wrote:Yet another Lao Sze Chuan? Yes, in Skokie.

Repost - posted three days ago, in post #21 above.

So nice, it's worth mentioning twice.

=R=

Le Pain Quotidien 10 E. Delaware:

"Training in Progress / Opening Soon"


(Source: sign in the window + little blackboard dealie by (what will presumably be) the front door)

Jovanis Bouargoub, owner of Chicago-based Porkchop, will open his latest meat-centric restaurant, Chop, in October. The 100-seat venue will open in the Roosevelt Collection Mall on the Near South Side.

Mr. Bouargoub said Chop will share a theme with his three Porkchop locations — an easygoing atmosphere combined with high-quality, gourmet dishes. The food from both brands will incorporate inspirations from France, his homeland.

But unlike the barbecue- and whiskey-centric, Southern-inspired Porkchop, Chop will focus on steaks, burgers and wine. Described as "an everyman's steakhouse," Chop will feature grass-fed, locally sourced burgers and steak dishes, including the classic T-bone and a fried steak.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... collection

El Fuego Mexican restaurant has been opened for about 2 weeks in downtown Skokie in the old Eclissi restaurant space on 8018 Lincoln Ave: http://skokie.suntimes.com/2014/07/16/e ... wn-skokie/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-fuego-skokie

El Fuego
8018 Lincoln Ave
Skokie, IL 60077

polster wrote:El Fuego Mexican restaurant has been opened for about 2 weeks in downtown Skokie in the old Eclissi restaurant space on 8018 Lincoln Ave

Right between Libertad and Yolo!

Cathy2 wrote:

Yes gang, the property at Bertucci's [in Highwood] is finally sold! It was bought by Bill and Kathy Barush, Kathy being of the the Eric and Kathy show on 101.9!! They plan on putting a music venue with pub style food! We wish them well!

Once the couple closes on the property, likely in the next couple of weeks, Ms. Hart said she and Mr. Baruth, along with other committed investors, will sink more than $1.5 million into renovating the restaurant to bring the space up to date.

They'll work with Chicago firm Olsen Vranas (Henry's Swing Club, MK) on the architecture and design buildout. While the interior design on the still-unnamed restaurant is not set, Ms. Hart said it'll be "more rustic and woods."

The 80-seat restaurant, with another 40 on the patio, will focus on something the couple said is lacking on the North Shore: seasonal, local, farm-to-table cuisine with a progressive craft cocktail program and a sustainable wine list.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... usic-venue

According to a Facebook post, Benjyehuda is opening their 3rd location in Lincoln Park on Saturday.

2485 N Clark St
(773) 348-6262

Supposedly opening tonight:

Tio Tannous & Filippo
1849 2nd St.
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 433 9060

It's in the space formerly occupied by Benjamin's. Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Operated by a son of the owner of Phoenicia which is around the corner on 1st St. The name of the restaurant is a reference to the old Danny Thomas Show on CBS.

Valley Lodge Tavern in Wilmette is open; there's also a branch in Glenview that's been around for a long, long while (1969, according to the website). It replaced the short-lived Black Dog Tavern. The menu is the same as the Glenview location: roadhouse/bar food, with a Greek diner twist. Not innovative, but time-tested. Good burgers. Should probably do well.


Valley Lodge Tavern
1141 Central Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
tel: (847) 920-5675

http://www.valleylodgetavern.com/

Pecking Order is closing tonight, per EdgevilleBuzz.com:

"Tonight will be Pecking Order's last night with open doors. Get your chicken fix in one last time and stop by to say goodbye! After two years of hard work and serving the Uptown and Edgewater community, the mother and daughter duo will be focusing on their catering business. We will miss you and your amazing fried chicken!"

. . . and from the Pecking Order facebook page:

"On behalf of the Pecking Order staff and my family we'd like to thank you all for your support for the last two years! Today will be our last day serving up chicken at our location. We would love for you to stop by and say hi, cocktail and most importantly get your Chicken fix! Keep checking our Facebook page and tweets to see where my mom and I are serving up some of our specialties. In the meantime we will be concentrating on our catering so keep us in mind on your next function at home or work!

Cheers and thank you very much!"

Pecking Order
4416 N Clark St (at Montrose)
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 907-9900

(cross-posted from Dawali thread)

Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen on Kedzie is gone, replaced by something called Pita Puff II. I just drove by - didn't stop in, but I am sad! I loved the roasted veggies at Diwali. No idea whether it's the same ownership, but there seems to be a Pita Puff in Elgin - maybe this is their second outpost?

ETA: yep, looks like they're related: http://pitapuff.com/

House 406 opened this weekend in Northbrook. Giving it the standard 90 days before we try it out.

iahawk89 wrote:House 406 opened this weekend in Northbrook. Giving it the standard 90 days before we try it out.

1143 1/2 Church St
Northbrook, Illinois
(847) 714-0200
http://www.house406restaurant.com/

Dave148 wrote:http://www.house406restaurant.com/

Until they get their website up and running, you'll be better off going to their Facebook page.

Marion Street Grille, a bastion of fine dining in Oak Park for 19 years, is closing in August.

Terry Thulis, the owner, announced the news through the Facebook page of his partner, Diana Ostreko.

“I want to thank the Oak Park community and Marion Street Grille staff, as well as our loyal, regular customers since 1995,” said Mr.Thulis in the notice, singling out actors George Wendt and Oak Park resident John Mahoney, along with Eric Anderson, who Mr. Thulis said has dined at the restaurant every Thursday and every New Year's Eve for the past 19 years. “It's been a great 19 years.”

The restaurant's last day in business will be August 9.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... rk-closing

A second Shake Shack is slated to open across the street from Millennium Park.

It will set up shop on the ground floor of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, a 241-room boutique hotel at 12 S. Michigan Ave. that is being restored.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... o-location

Posters in the windows at 1551 N. Wells (formerly Flight 1551) indicate that a neopolitan pizza place will be opening at the location. No name or opening date is indicated.

Canyons Burger Company
in the Westmont Yards Sports Complex
243 W. 63rd Street
Westmont, IL 60559
https://www.facebook.com/CanyonsChicago

...is permanently closed. It lasted less than two years. Too bad since their burgers, chicken sandwiches and onion rings were much better than Smashburgers, Five Guys and Meatheads. It will be missed.

Roger Ramjet wrote:Le Pain Quotidien 10 E. Delaware:

"Training in Progress / Opening Soon"


(Source: sign in the window + little blackboard dealie by (what will presumably be) the front door)

This is now open as of yesterday. I stopped in at around 12:30pm today and it was packed. It's not a huge space, but they have probably around 20 outdoor seats (maybe 10 tables) and maybe 50 seats inside? It's hard to say. I'm glad they got outdoor seating and I think they could probably add a lot more of it, but probably need more permitting to do so.

Had a smoked salmon and avocado sandwich - not too bad but for $14 after tax, it's a little steep for what you get. I'm curious as to what the other prices are and how much you get for it compared to some other places with similar sandwiches. The prices on their drinks were about in line with what you'd get from Starbucks, though. I'll be interested to try their breads and such and see if they're any good.

marothisu wrote:

Roger Ramjet wrote:Le Pain Quotidien 10 E. Delaware:

"Training in Progress / Opening Soon"


(Source: sign in the window + little blackboard dealie by (what will presumably be) the front door)

This is now open as of yesterday. I stopped in at around 12:30pm today and it was packed. It's not a huge space, but they have probably around 20 outdoor seats (maybe 10 tables) and maybe 50 seats inside? It's hard to say. I'm glad they got outdoor seating and I think they could probably add a lot more of it, but probably need more permitting to do so.

Had a smoked salmon and avocado sandwich - not too bad but for $14 after tax, it's a little steep for what you get. I'm curious as to what the other prices are and how much you get for it compared to some other places with similar sandwiches. The prices on their drinks were about in line with what you'd get from Starbucks, though. I'll be interested to try their breads and such and see if they're any good.

I've eaten there several times in Philly. It's good but, as you noted, expensive. Anyone expecting a $5 foot-long will be in for sticker shock - and portion shock. It's on par with Pret a Manger, quality and portion-wise, which is good, in my book.

spinynorman99 wrote:

marothisu wrote:

Roger Ramjet wrote:Le Pain Quotidien 10 E. Delaware:

"Training in Progress / Opening Soon"


(Source: sign in the window + little blackboard dealie by (what will presumably be) the front door)

This is now open as of yesterday. I stopped in at around 12:30pm today and it was packed. It's not a huge space, but they have probably around 20 outdoor seats (maybe 10 tables) and maybe 50 seats inside? It's hard to say. I'm glad they got outdoor seating and I think they could probably add a lot more of it, but probably need more permitting to do so.

Had a smoked salmon and avocado sandwich - not too bad but for $14 after tax, it's a little steep for what you get. I'm curious as to what the other prices are and how much you get for it compared to some other places with similar sandwiches. The prices on their drinks were about in line with what you'd get from Starbucks, though. I'll be interested to try their breads and such and see if they're any good.

I've eaten there several times in Philly. It's good but, as you noted, expensive. Anyone expecting a $5 foot-long will be in for sticker shock - and portion shock. It's on par with Pret a Manger, quality and portion-wise, which is good, in my book.

Yeah, and I'm not expecting a $5 foot long, and I eat at my fair share of not so cheap places. The thing is though - Salmon Sandwich. I can go to a decently nice or trendy restaurant and get much more for about the same price or cheaper at same or better quality. I went to Prasino, which is not even close to a craphole, the other weekend and got a bagel and lox sandwich with 2X more salmon and vegetables/egg for less money than this.

Anyway, not everything there seems like it's that ridiculously priced. I'll be interested in trying the other stuff.

Don't say you weren't warned: Reverie, a joint venture between "Food Buddha" Rodelio Aglibot and three sportscasters, is opening Friday in the former site of Klay Oven and some here-today-gone-later-today brewpub on Orleans, in the East Bank Club area. This is the third resto in the space in less than two years; somehow, I don't think that an Asian-themed sports bar in a well-known restaurant graveyard may have been the best investment decision.

Note: while the website is active, no menus are available. For a place that opens in less than 48 hours.

Reverie
414 North Orleans, Chicago IL 60654
312.467.4141
http://reveriechicago.com/

Not really correct to call the site a "well known restaurant graveyard"--while the brewpub might've been a flash in the pan, Klay Oven chugged along for over 20 years. It was the first place I ever had decent Indian food (wasn't a popular option in NOLA or the various places I lived in FL back in the day). If Reverie doesn't succeed, I'm guessing it will be for reasons other than location.

Klay Oven was mediocre, but I was referring to the entire neighborhood as a restaurant graveyard. I stand by my statement in either case.

Tokyo Marina in south Andersonville has a sign in its window saying they are closed after 35 years. This a month after Pie Hole just half a block south closed a few weeks ago. And the hookah shop next to Pie Hole shuttered by the City. And the Nepalese place next to the hookah shop never having opened up in the first place.

Hopefully some new places can open up in that area and stay open.

La Cuenta wrote:Tokyo Marina in south Andersonville has a sign in its window saying they are closed after 35 years. This a month after Pie Hole just half a block south closed a few weeks ago. And the hookah shop next to Pie Hole shuttered by the City. And the Nepalese place next to the hookah shop never having opened up in the first place.

Hopefully some new places can open up in that area and stay open.

And the taco place further north on Clark never opened.

But I'm very sorry to hear about Tokyo Marina. They were in our regular rotation for delivery. Ora down the block is a step up but doesn't deliver.

Pie Hole was a disaster. I believe the state actually shut them down because they were delinquent on tax remittances.

Darren72 wrote:Pie Hole was a disaster. I believe the state actually shut them down because they were delinquent on tax remittances.

Shut your pie hole!

(sorry, couldn't resist)