Diane wrote:We used to love going to Bistro Bordeaux. But recently Pascal hired a new chef and it seemed like the classic preparations changed.

Our experience is similar, but not as recent. We had a few terrific dinners in their early days, back in 2010. But a couple of years after that, something declined, either the quality or the consistency, and we stopped going.

Drover wrote:

Drover wrote:

Drover wrote:La Riviera Maya on Elston at Irving Park (former Latin Sandwich Cafe/Rapa Nui space) is papered over with a sign indicating that another Mexican seafood place is taking over soon. I'll try to remember the name next time I roll by.

OK, so the name of the forthcoming "new" restaurant is "Mariscos Costa Grande." Then underneath it says "estilo Riviera Maya." Meanwhile when it was Riveria Maya the sub-script on the awning said "Mariscos Estilo Costa Grande." So I don't know if this is just a refresh with re-branding or a new restaurant under new ownership or what. I know the building was for sale but the For Sale sign is now gone so I don't know if that's tied into any of this.

Mariscos Costa ([re-?]opening soon)
4009 N. Elston Ave

Now the "Coming Soon: Mariscos Costa Grande" sign has been replaced with a "Coming Soon: Taco Max" sign. There's an LED sign in the window indicating they'll be serving up tacos, burritos, tortas, etc. -- in other words they'll be doing typical taqueria fare instead of seafood because the 846 other standard taquerias in the area weren't sufficient.

Whatever it will be, the handwriting's on the wall about what it will not be. Who knows when we will see Chilean empanadas in Chicago again. Qué triste. I'm thinking of making some for the LTH picnic.

Merchandise Mart’s food offerings will get a massive upgrade from DMK Restaurants (Ada Street, DMK Burger Bar, Henry’s) later this summer. DMK is opening a restaurant/cafe/lounge and private event space called Marshall’s Landing in June on the second floor with views overlooking the Chicago River.

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/4/10/1524 ... ls-landing

Sally's at 5454 N. Harlem Ave. is becoming a Cozy Corner.

Pie Lady wrote:Sally's at 5454 N. Harlem Ave. is becoming a Cozy Corner.

Good. Something had to be done.

Well...yeah. Can't disagree. But I miss my childhood staple.

holy moly that took forever.... but the Budlong is finally open in my neighborhood! (Lincoln Square). 4619 N Western Ave. Certified open, I just had lunch

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/4/11/1525 ... quare-open

rubbbqco wrote: 4619 N Western Ave. Certified open, I just had lunch

Like we're going to trust an owner shilling for his business

rubbbqco wrote:holy moly that took forever.... but the Budlong is finally open in my neighborhood! (Lincoln Square). 4619 N Western Ave. Certified open, I just had lunch

http://chicago.eater.com/2017/4/11/1525 ... quare-open

Turns out I was right about you You get me all hot and bothered to have fried chicken for dinner, but today is lunch only. I will have to add Budlong Lincoln Square to my boycott for the day.

The former Melanthios Greek Char House will become a French bistro this summer. Known as Maison Marcel, the eatery will offer organic, gluten-free and healthy French American dishes, juices, smoothies and pastries.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017041 ... h-broadway

Gemini is back next week, still a beloved American bistro, if no longer in name. The former Gemini Bistro expects to reopen Wednesday after a four-month renovation as Gemini, still at 2075 N. Lincoln Ave.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017041 ... uly-graves

An institution, the Bacci Pizza by the Addison Red Line, has closed. I dropped by for a slice after a show tonight at the Metro, walked in, and it was a totally different place. Freaked me out for a minute - first I thought Bacci remodeled, then I noticed it was a bar without pizza ovens.

Apparently the old owners stopped paying their rent and got evicted on St. Pat's day. Then it got completely remodeled with much of the new items that were modeled into The Dugout below, from the "Bar Rescue" show (which apparently no one liked). So they were repurposed. The place looks nice and is bigger, and nice and new/clean looking. But the only pizza they have is in a little turning heater up front, and it's not very good. The new bartender who had only been there a week or two told me what happened. Right now it's not called anything, but he said he guesses it's "The Dugout II".

Sad about Bacci. Great place for a hot New York slice and a coke, for $5 at midnight.

I can't say I ever expected to see anyone lament the closing of a Bacci...

When you've been using it as your late night NY slice spot for the past 12 years, it does hurt a bit.

Chitown B wrote:When you've been using it as your late night NY slice spot for the past 12 years, it does hurt a bit.

Well if you're that attached to Bacci you have other options; for instance they opened a location at Halsted and Wrightwood a year or so ago. It's not literally right next to a Red Line stop like the Wrigleyville one but it's only a couple blocks from the Fullerton stop.

Closer to home for you (your profile says you're in Andersonville?) there's Papa Ray's at Lawrence and Sheridan. They do a "giant slice and a soda for 5 bucks" deal too, and they're also open until 2am. [ETA: 4am according to online sources -- they don't post their hours on their own website like a competent establishment would.]

I've never been to the Uptown one but I've been to the Portage Park/Belmont Cragin/whatever location a few times. IMO it's a step above Bacci -- not a high hurdle to clear -- but like most late-night big-slice places is nothing spectacular.

Drover wrote:

Chitown B wrote:When you've been using it as your late night NY slice spot for the past 12 years, it does hurt a bit.

Well if you're that attached to Bacci you have other options; for instance they opened a location at Halsted and Wrightwood a year or so ago. It's not literally right next to a Red Line stop like the Wrigleyville one but it's only a couple blocks from the Fullerton stop.

Closer to home for you (your profile says you're in Andersonville?) there's Papa Ray's at Lawrence and Sheridan. They do a "giant slice and a soda for 5 bucks" deal too, and they're also open until 2am. [ETA: 4am according to online sources -- they don't post their hours on their own website like a competent establishment would.]

I've never been to the Uptown one but I've been to the Portage Park/Belmont Cragin/whatever location a few times. IMO it's a step above Bacci -- not a high hurdle to clear -- but like most late-night big-slice places is nothing spectacular.

Thanks for the rec's. That particular Bacci was more a sentimental "moved to Chicago/Wrigley 12 years ago and always grab a slice after a Metro show / Cubs game" type of deal. The Bacci by Fullerton wouldn't really be walk convenient. But the Ray's I've noticed from the El when passing. That might be a good idea for an Aragon/Riviera show after.

Chitown B wrote:Thanks for the rec's. That particular Bacci was more a sentimental "moved to Chicago/Wrigley 12 years ago and always grab a slice after a Metro show / Cubs game" type of deal. The Bacci by Fullerton wouldn't really be walk convenient. But the Ray's I've noticed from the El when passing. That might be a good idea for an Aragon/Riviera show after.

Well if you ever find yourself at a show at Kingston Mines or B.L.U.E.S. or Lincoln Hall, now you know where to go afterward.

2 Skokie Resaurants are newly opened this week:

Marcus Lemonis' Simple Greek in Skokie opens Monday 4/24. This looks to be a Greek version of Chipotle like business model. On Friday 4/28/17 Simple Greek in the Skokie location has a promotion for $1 Gyros Day from 11AM - 3PM.

Simple Greek
5415 W. Touhy Ave. Skokie IL 60077
Phone 847-779-3258
Mon-Sun 11am-9pm
MENU: http://thesimplegreek.com/wp-content/up ... u-5-23.pdf

Panino Blitz is a casual American Italian restaurant with a menu is inspired from American Italian specialties and will appeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have Beignets on the menu which is something that looks interesting.

Panino Blitz
5051 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60077
b/t Niles Ave & Lincoln Ave
Phone: (847) 999-8555
Website: http://www.paninoblitz.com/
YELP: https://www.yelp.com/biz/panino-blitz-skokie

Drover wrote:

Drover wrote:

Drover wrote:La Riviera Maya on Elston at Irving Park (former Latin Sandwich Cafe/Rapa Nui space) is papered over with a sign indicating that another Mexican seafood place is taking over soon. I'll try to remember the name next time I roll by.

OK, so the name of the forthcoming "new" restaurant is "Mariscos Costa Grande." Then underneath it says "estilo Riviera Maya." Meanwhile when it was Riveria Maya the sub-script on the awning said "Mariscos Estilo Costa Grande." So I don't know if this is just a refresh with re-branding or a new restaurant under new ownership or what. I know the building was for sale but the For Sale sign is now gone so I don't know if that's tied into any of this.

Mariscos Costa ([re-?]opening soon)
4009 N. Elston Ave

Now the "Coming Soon: Mariscos Costa Grande" sign has been replaced with a "Coming Soon: Taco Max" sign. There's an LED sign in the window indicating they'll be serving up tacos, burritos, tortas, etc. -- in other words they'll be doing typical taqueria fare instead of seafood because the 846 other standard taquerias in the area weren't sufficient.

Now open.

Noted in the Monastero's thread but not here:

Dave148 wrote:Monastero's to close in November.
http://monasteros.com/after-55-years-th ... 18th-2017/

One of my favorite spots Kevil's Restaurant and Bar in Forest Park is closing Saturday night April 30th (Sunday at around 2:00 am) after 17 years. My go to place for Hawks games
The excellent Fried Chicken, Pot Roast, Meatloaf and London broil dinners were a few of my favorites. And that Hash Brown Casserole.
More bad news is that it will most likely be razed to make room for another large building.

Giant chef Jason Vincent opening restaurant in new Ace Hotel

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

Per Chicago magazine:

Chicago magazine wrote:Sometime this summer, critically beloved cured-fish café Snaggletooth (2819 N. Southport Ave., Lake View) will shutter. Bill Montagne and Jennifer Kim haven’t yet said when they’ll close or what’s next for them, but fingers crossed we won’t be without their trout for long.

After 786 years in business, Schaller's Pump in Bridgeport is closing its doors at the end of service tonight (April 30th).

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/schall ... se-sunday/

Drover wrote:After 786 years in business, Schaller's Pump in Bridgeport is closing its doors at the end of service tonight (April 30th).

http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/schall ... se-sunday/

Well, 136 years but still a long, long time.

=R=

Signs posted for an upcoming Korean concept at the old Sabai-Dee space next to Golden Pacific (which may or may not be reopening).

Drover wrote:I can't say I ever expected to see anyone lament the closing of a Bacci...

For me it's like Spaghetti-Os. I will indulge occasionally but it's followed by lots of self-loathing. Anyone who's ever seen me carrying the oversized box and asked "is that place any good" gets an enthusiastic"no" from me. But yet I still go back every now and then.

AlekH wrote:Signs posted for an upcoming Korean concept at the old Sabai-Dee space next to Golden Pacific (which may or may not be reopening).

Golden Pacific was open when I went by this weekend, or least the "open" sign was on, doors were open and there were a few cars in the lot.

good to hear^

Golden Pacific owner told me the other day he is waiting on building permits to upgrade the store. He is open weekends sporadically.. It will definitely re open..