Pie Lady wrote:That sign was still up yesterday when I drove by.

I bet they found a turtle.

Pompei of Lakeview (2955 N Sheffield) is re-opening tomorrow, Monday, February 23, at 10:00 AM. A friend said he saw a lot of people inside and thought it looked open. I called the restaurant, and was told they'll be open in about seventeen hours!

Someone please check if riddlemay is okay.

cilantro wrote:Someone please check if riddlemay is okay.

?

Because someone beat me to a Pompei update.

riddlemay wrote:Because someone beat me to a Pompei update.

Ha! Perhaps we'll cross paths there this week. I work down the street and have been seriously missing the chopped chicken salad and, on splurge days, the chicken ravioli. Looks like a few changes to the menu, including individual pan pizzas.

Saw an article that the Halal Guys from NYC are opening up 5 stores in Chicago. First one is somewhere in the Gold Coast. Anybody know where? My guess would be just north of Chicago on State where El Souk or Qiang used to be, but who knows. Right south of Division on State where that market used to be might be a good spot too.

Baocos looks to be open at 1904 N Western. Menu is so broad that I'll be eager to hear reports on execution.
http://www.baocos.com

Although I haven't had a chance to get to the reincarnated Sheffield/Wellington Pompei, thought I'd report on one interesting feature that's different from before. It appears they've created a "store within the store," a gelateria with a walkup window called Pistachio. Seems like a good idea. (The Oberweis a block north is quite popular with neighborhood families; this could be an additional option.)

Somehow this escaped my knowledge and I didn't find it elsewhere on the board: Bow & Stern Oyster Bar, 1371 W Chicago, closed at the end of 2014.

The Scofflaw group is opening not just one, but two spots in the very near future. The guys behind two of the most acclaimed and busiest bars in Chicago, Scofflaw and Slippery Slope, confirmed this morning that they're opening a chef-driven restaurant very soon—in addition to their forthcoming tiki bar.

http://chicago.eater.com/2015/2/24/8101 ... gan-square

For the nostalgic, Harry's Velvet Room has been revived, albeit relocated to the site of the old Webster Wine bar:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/HARRYS-V ... 9172716182

2111 W Armitage, the former Cafe La Guardia, along with the long-vacant space next to it, are both newly off the rental market. Any leads on leases or licenses? Would be thrilled for something great to come in!

Sign going up at Oakton and Elmhurst roads in Mount Prospect (same center as Kampai, Indian Cuisine, Pad Thai): "Balkan Taste"
There's still paper on the windows, though.

Sushi Tokoro is now open at 4750 N. Western Ave just south of Lawrence in Lincoln Square:

http://sushitokorochicago.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SUSHI-TO ... 7761795159

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sushi-tokoro-chicago

Karyn's on Green, Popular Vegan West Loop Location, Shuttering on Sunday

http://chicago.eater.com/2015/2/26/8116 ... en-shutter

Dave148 wrote:

Karyn's on Green, Popular Vegan West Loop Location, Shuttering on Sunday

http://chicago.eater.com/2015/2/26/8116 ... en-shutter

"we discovered fire about a million years ago, we should use it." - Fred (on Check Please)

Looks like the Breakroom Brewery is open (openish?). Yesterday the paper was off the windows, lights were on and people hanging around inside.

Breakroom Brewery
2925 W Montrose Ave

cleanplateclub wrote:Looks like the Breakroom Brewery is open (openish?). Yesterday the paper was off the windows, lights were on and people hanging around inside.

Breakroom Brewery
2925 W Montrose Ave

Posted on their facebook page today. "We have some VERY exciting news to share with you all... We have passed all inspections and are ready to open our doors within the next 3 weeks! The place looks great and we're excited to have you all here to enjoy it. Thanks again for your support!"

I was reading an article on Curbed about the West Elsdon neighborhood and they mentioned a restaurant opening up there on Randolph. I remembered an interesting building permit and yep. El Solazo will be opening up a 2 story restaurant (with rooftop bar) there at 740 W Randolph (about Randolph & Halsted). Not sure when, but the article says "soon" - the permit was from the middle of November for a $1 million renovation to become the restaurant.

Anyone been to that place?

The Angry Crab opened tonight in the former Tampopo space at 5665 N. Lincoln. This is the first of many new asian style cajun seafood places starting to gain popularity. Similar to Hot N Juicy or Boiling Crab. Pass by this place every day and found their Facebook page with the info. Can't wait to try this place out!

https://www.facebook.com/theangrycrabshop

Houlihan's in the Oakbrook Center mall has closed.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-brook/news/ct-dob-houlihans-closes-tl-0305-20150226-story.html

WestRidgeFoodie wrote:The Angry Crab opened tonight in the former Tampopo space at 5665 N. Lincoln. This is the first of many new asian style cajun seafood places starting to gain popularity. Similar to Hot N Juicy or Boiling Crab. Pass by this place every day and found their Facebook page with the info. Can't wait to try this place out!

https://www.facebook.com/theangrycrabshop

Almost went last night but want to give them a couple weeks before I am there every week. Angry crab and The Bolier in Skokie are the 2 restaurant or openings I am looking forward to most in 2015. I dig these asian/cajun spots hope these are as good as the ones i have tried in Denver and Orlando.

I have been to El Solazo at 56th and Pulaski. It's very good food. I would like to go back and try some other dishes. I ordered 3 tacos. Al pastor, Shredded Beef and Steak taco. The Shredded Beef and Al Pastor were some of the best tacos I have eaten. It's always pretty crowded and a lot of cops seem to eat there. That's always a good sign. I did not order the Parrillada El Solazo (Para 2 personas) $27.99 but it looked so good. It's on a table grill with Shrimp, Chicken and Beef. There are other ones to choose from also. It's open late also and it's BYOB!!

If it's the same restaurant as the one opening on Randolph it will be a good addition to that area.

ETNO at 2580 N Lincoln Ave seems like it has been re-modelling forever. Am I remembering correctly that it has been over a year? Anyone know what going on? I had a very tasty cabbage soup there once but it seems like that was a long long time ago.

cleanplateclub wrote:ETNO at 2580 N Lincoln Ave seems like it has been re-modelling forever. Am I remembering correctly that it has been over a year? Anyone know what going on? I had a very tasty cabbage soup there once but it seems like that was a long long time ago.

I don't have any facts, but I pass by it several times a week, and it sure seems to me like it's been a minimum of two years. If you told me three years, I wouldn't bet against you.

riddlemay wrote:

cleanplateclub wrote:ETNO at 2580 N Lincoln Ave seems like it has been re-modelling forever. Am I remembering correctly that it has been over a year? Anyone know what going on? I had a very tasty cabbage soup there once but it seems like that was a long long time ago.

I don't have any facts, but I pass by it several times a week, and it sure seems to me like it's been a minimum of two years. If you told me three years, I wouldn't bet against you.

I walked by the other day -- shockingly, there was a guy working on the new addition. I had kinda figured it was dead and gone, but, perhaps, life will, uh, find a way.

MARYC wrote:I have been to El Solazo at 56th and Pulaski. It's very good food. I would like to go back and try some other dishes. I ordered 3 tacos. Al pastor, Shredded Beef and Steak taco. The Shredded Beef and Al Pastor were some of the best tacos I have eaten. It's always pretty crowded and a lot of cops seem to eat there. That's always a good sign. I did not order the Parrillada El Solazo (Para 2 personas) $27.99 but it looked so good. It's on a table grill with Shrimp, Chicken and Beef. There are other ones to choose from also. It's open late also and it's BYOB!!

If it's the same restaurant as the one opening on Randolph it will be a good addition to that area.

Good to know. It would be awesome if their new place is open that late! And I'm pretty sure it's them - the owner of the building permit was listed as the same address as their restaurant. 5600 S Pulaski.

Brendon Sodikoff (Bavette's, Maude's, Au Cheval etc) tweeted this over the weekend:

"Brendan Sodikoff ‏@brendansodikoff

Looking for culinary partner for chinese bar concept. 50% American mall chinese, 50% insanely traditional. Must lead team & cook like a god"

Updates in Aurora:

Thomas' BBQ on New York Street just west of Eola Road looks to be moving further west down New York to an old Ace Hardware building. It will be a big increase in space. No word on when the move will occur.

A new restaurant in downtown Aurora is U Samba, a Brazilian restaurant. Don't know if it's open yet, though. It's also on New York Street, across from Bally-Doyle.