Knife, Lincoln Avenue’s New Dry-Aged Steakhouse, Opens Today

http://chicago.eater.com/2016/10/18/133 ... urant-open

Celebrity Pitmaster Myron Mixon Unleashes His Chicago Barbecue Restaurant Smoke Show BBQ on Thursday October 20th:

Best known as the brash star of Destination America's "BBQ Pitmasters" show, Mixon is often cited as the winningest man in barbecue, with 20 years of trophies and almost 200 grand championships.

Mixon's favorite dishes include three cupcake chickens for $9.99 and a heaping portion of baby back mac for $10.99. Burnt ends are $13.99 for a half-pound, while entrees like the half chicken and pulled pork are $12.99 and come with coleslaw, hush puppies and white bread.

Eater Article: http://chicago.eater.com/2016/10/18/133 ... go-opening

DNAINFO Article: https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016101 ... ke-chicken

Menu: https://www.scribd.com/document/3280759 ... from_embed

Myron Mixon's Smoke Show Barbecue
3801 N Clark St
60613 Chicago
(773) 360-1452

AlexG wrote:

Katie wrote:It appears there's a new restaurant in the Bridie McKenna's Irish pub space in Highwood (254 Green Bay Road). The Tribune calls it "Ginger's Rich"; Yelp calls it "Ginger's Pub"; its own website just calls it "Ginger's".

There's really nothing on the menu that suggests (to me at least) that there's any effort to be an Irish pub foodwise --- fish and chips, corned beef sandwich, that's it; not a curry fry or shepherd's pie or lamb stew or smoked salmon or oyster or brown bread to be found -- just burgers and wings and fries --- on Yelp, Ashley from Lake Forest describes it as "Good hearty Irish food" --- I wonder what she thinks people eat in Ireland? --- but the existing space had good Irish pub architectural features. If it has Guinness on tap and some copies of the Irish American News by the door, I won't mind.

Most interesting thing on the menu to me, and possibly for others who grew up in the Highland Park/Highwood area, is what is described as "Famous Scornavacco Thin-Crust Pizza." That's enough to get me to go check it out.

Ginger's
254 Green Bay Road
Highwood
http://gingersofhighwood.com/

The owner of Alex's Washington Garden next door is the owner of Ginger's, which feature's the same thin-crust pizza.
http://jwcdaily.com/2016/06/27/bridie-m ... s-gingers/

I was at Gingers about a month ago with my friend and we were very underwhelmed. The pizza was nothing special, and it reminded me of why I never order pizza from Washington Gardens anymore - it's just ok. This place is built as a true Irish Pub but the food doesn't make us want to return.

AlexG wrote:Honey's Hot Chicken in Highland Park, from the owners of Real Urban BBQ, has closed after only a few months of operation.

From their Facebook page:
A Message from the Owners of Honey's Hot Chicken:
This location is now permanently closed.
Stay tuned for future updates about Honey's Hot Chicken.
We greatly value and appreciate your patronage!

http://www.honeyshotchicken.com/

You mean the place that said they were serving homemade chicken tenders at the HP Art Fair but I saw them pull out a big bag of Tyson frozen chicken tenders closed? The place that did a barely hot version of Hot Chicken closed? Owned by a guy who calls his BBQ place "real" even though he uses a pellet smoker? What a surprise and a shame. I'd be all over a real BBQ joint and a really good chicken joint if they were in town.

Recent ground breaking in the 7300 Block of Montrose for Portillo's and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers as well as other stores

Sugar Loaf is moving to NYC.
Per an email:

To my valued customers,

I wanted to let you know that I moved and re-located my business to New York City at the beginning of October. I appreciate all of your business over the past few years in Chicago, and can't thank you enough for supporting a local entrepreneur. It was a joy to make the desserts for your birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, graduations, baby showers, and all other celebrations in between. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special memories!

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask if you can please help spread the word about my business to any friends or family that you have in NYC. Any positive referrals are much appreciated! I am located in Manhattan (Washington Heights), but am able to do deliveries to the other boroughs.

Here is my info to share:
website: www.sugarloafcake.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarloafcake/

Thank you again, and I hope to bake for you and/or your friends in the near future. I also highly recommend Molly's Cupcakes or Pyrite Sun for your future pastry needs in Chicago. They are both top notch, and my friend Sarah who runs Pyrite Sun is particularly amazing with pies, if you're looking for a local chef to order your holiday pies from.

Much love and many well wishes,

Lindsay Shepherd
Pastry Chef
{SUGAR LOAF}
773-484-0306
www.sugarloafcake.com

Pie Lady wrote:Sugar Loaf is moving to NYC.
Per an email:

To my valued customers,

I wanted to let you know that I moved and re-located my business to New York City at the beginning of October. I appreciate all of your business over the past few years in Chicago, and can't thank you enough for supporting a local entrepreneur. It was a joy to make the desserts for your birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, graduations, baby showers, and all other celebrations in between. Thank you for letting me be a part of your special memories!

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask if you can please help spread the word about my business to any friends or family that you have in NYC. Any positive referrals are much appreciated! I am located in Manhattan (Washington Heights), but am able to do deliveries to the other boroughs.

Here is my info to share:
website: http://www.sugarloafcake.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sugarloafcake/

Thank you again, and I hope to bake for you and/or your friends in the near future. I also highly recommend Molly's Cupcakes or Pyrite Sun for your future pastry needs in Chicago. They are both top notch, and my friend Sarah who runs Pyrite Sun is particularly amazing with pies, if you're looking for a local chef to order your holiday pies from.

Much love and many well wishes,

Lindsay Shepherd
Pastry Chef
{SUGAR LOAF}
773-484-0306
http://www.sugarloafcake.com

Sadly, yes, Lindsay has moved to NYC and taken her delicious desserts (omg, the banoffie cake that she once did for mbh's bday is a very fond memory even a few years later!!!) with her but she's right about Sarah (Pyrite)--she's very talented and a nice gal too!

The eagle is landing, Chicago. SafeHouse, Milwaukee’s iconic spy-themed speakeasy bar and restaurant, is planning a location in the Windy City. Heading to the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown at Rush and Ontario streets off the Mag Mile, SafeHouse Chicago will be just the second location of the 50-year-old beloved concept.

http://chicago.eater.com/2016/10/17/133 ... -milwaukee

AlexG wrote:

Katie wrote:Ginger's
254 Green Bay Road
Highwood
http://gingersofhighwood.com/

The owner of Alex's Washington Garden next door is the owner of Ginger's, which feature's the same thin-crust pizza.
http://jwcdaily.com/2016/06/27/bridie-m ... s-gingers/

Just curious, Alex G, are you the owner of or associated with Alex's Washington Garden? Not that I mind at all if you are and post about the two businesses, but it would be nice to know to ask you a question or two.

Also re the new Ginger's in Highwood, I was surprised by the name and I will say I think it's an unfortunate choice for an Irish pub, unintended as it may have been (and notwithstanding the owner of Alex's Washington Garden being a redhead himself), because "ginger" is considered by some to be a derogatory term used by British people in reference to Irish people.

Katie wrote:

AlexG wrote:

Katie wrote:Ginger's
254 Green Bay Road
Highwood
http://gingersofhighwood.com/

The owner of Alex's Washington Garden next door is the owner of Ginger's, which feature's the same thin-crust pizza.
http://jwcdaily.com/2016/06/27/bridie-m ... s-gingers/

Just curious, Alex G, are you the owner of or associated with Alex's Washington Garden? Not that I mind at all if you are and post about the two businesses, but it would be nice to know to ask you a question or two.

No relation. Just happen to be named Alex and remember seeing the article about Ginger's. I do like the pizza at Alex's Washington Garden, though.

Lee's carry out, formerly on Burnham in Calumet City is now in Munster. It looks like they moved in July.

Dear Loyal Customers,
Lee's has officially moved to Avia Carry Out in Munster, IN.
Lee's @ Avia is located at: 8350 Hohman Ave - Munster, IN
Phone: 219-836-2980 or 708-891-3200.
Thank you so much for your patronage, we truly love you!
Hope to see you soon in Munster!

https://www.facebook.com/Lees-Carry-Out-371996833010844/

Austin Baker has designs on spicing up the West Loop. The restaurateur behind Bar Marta is planning to open a dual-concept, 220-seat Chinese restaurant in the long-vacant space next door to (and above) J.P. Graziano Grocery this fall. The 1,600-foot first-floor space on Randolph Street is being transformed into a 60-seat, upscale spot called Won Fun Chinese that will specialize in authentic Szechuan dishes served family style.

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

A new Banh Mi place has opened in Libertyville, tried it and the sandwiches were decent for the area.

Banh Mi Baguette

https://www.yelp.com/biz/b%C3%A1nh-m%C3 ... sq=banh+mi

Katie wrote:Also re the new Ginger's in Highwood, I was surprised by the name and I will say I think it's an unfortunate choice for an Irish pub, unintended as it may have been (and notwithstanding the owner of Alex's Washington Garden being a redhead himself), because "ginger" is considered by some to be a derogatory term used by British people in reference to Irish people.

And the Irish took the sting out of the term by adapting it for their own use just as other groups have with derogatory terms aimed at them. Since then it has evolved to simply refer to someone with red hair, sometimes derisively, sometimes not.

Well, as you said yourself, "sometimes derisively, sometimes not." What I said was that it is "considered by some to be a derogatory term." I think we're in agreement. By the way, one of the Oxford English Dictionary's definitions of "ginger" is "British derogatory, informal [count noun] A red-haired or ginger-haired person."

For those who have been waiting - the Deerfield Portillo's opens on the Ides of November.

Glad to hear it!

Senegalese cuisine from the tiny island of Gorée has arrived in Kenwood. Adama Ba last week opened Gorée Cuisine at 1126 E. 47th St.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016103 ... d-adama-ba

Dave148 wrote:

Senegalese cuisine from the tiny island of Gorée has arrived in Kenwood. Adama Ba last week opened Gorée Cuisine at 1126 E. 47th St.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016103 ... d-adama-ba

Thanks. For anyone not familiar with the cuisine. I recommend checking out a place in town. I can't vouch for this place as it just opened - I'll be checking it out soon - but it's awesome food when done right. Greatly hoping this place is one that does it well/right.

Two openings in Evanston:
The Barn, Amy Morton's new effort in an old barn off an alley, opens tonight (finally).
It's off the alley across from Smylie Bros. Brewpub; there's a faint faux ghost sign on the side of the building.

The Barn
1016 Rear Church St.
Evanston

Also, a new Thai restaurant from two Bangkok natives just opened. It's billed as being "reminiscent of 1970s Thai shophouses."

NaKorn
1622 Orrington Ave.
Evanston

For the moment The Barn is not accepting reservations for more than four. This will change after they are running smoothly. You can think of this as soft opening.

nr706 wrote:Two openings in Evanston:
The Barn, Amy Morton's new effort in an old barn off an alley, opens tonight (finally).
It's off the alley across from Smylie Bros. Brewpub; there's a faint faux ghost sign on the side of the building.

The Barn
1016 Rear Church St.
Evanston

Wonder what Wiviott thinks of the name...

Apparently there's no Company involved.

Zoba The Noodle Bar in Evanston is done.

Drover wrote:

nr706 wrote:
The Barn
1016 Rear Church St.
Evanston

Wonder what Wiviott thinks of the name...

Not having an article in front, one must assume that the "Barn" in "Barn and Company" is a proper noun eg someone's name. The "Barn" in "The Barn" refers to the common farm building and, in fact, the building in which "The Barn" resides was originally built and used as a barn.

Siena Tavern's owner plans another restaurant and bar in the same building, after buying out the owners of the BlackFinn Ameripub chain's River North location.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realesta ... vern-owner

One bit of good news this election day. Cafecito now has a third location at 215 E. Chestnut.

Famed Corned Beef Factory Plans Millennium Park Location Sandwich Shop

http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/8/1356 ... enium-park

I don't think this has been mentioned here before, but Luigi's House in Aurora was closed a couple of months ago and is completely demolished. It was owned by the Portillo's restaurant group so it looks like the new owners want to focus on the core restaurants now.

Edit: It looks like Portillo's sold Luigi's house and the Honey Jam Cafes a couple of years ago to the same people.