nr706 wrote:One of those failed restaurants was Jamaica Gates, notable because it was where the Evanston Lunch Group™ introduced the inestimable Ronnie Suburban to the equally inestimable Gwiv. I don't think either has ever forgiven us.

Oh, c'mon . . . *big hug*

=R=

Kow Kow/Stefani's Update

Within the past few days, a construction fence went up around the former Kow Kow property, and some construction equipment and trailers have been rolling into the parking lot. It looks like this project is finally getting underway. More as details warrant, although the Summer 2017 opening date on the original signage is pretty much a non starter at this point.

(Original post about this is here.)

Am Thai has opened on Montrose in the space that formerly housed VIP Chinese Restaurant. The inside has been extensively remodeled. There is a Thai menu as well as a sushi menu. The menu does not indicate which dishes are spicy. BYOB

My wife and I had lunch specials today, so the impression is pretty cursory. The specials come with a choice among three appetizers: egg roll, gyoza aka pot stickers, or crab rangoon. Both the egg rolls and the gyoza came out of the fryer blazing hot. The fruity sweet and sour sauce on the side of the skinny Thai egg rolls was very sweet (no surprise there) but very little sour. The gyoza have a chicken filling; soy-based sauce was pretty sweet. The soup of the day was miso soup. I had the green curry, which was fairly spicy and had decent amounts of chicken and quartered Thai eggplant. My wife's mixed vegetables with rice could just as easily come from a Chinese restaurant and had no perceptible taste of fish sauce. My Thai iced tea was somewhat unusual in that it did not use condensed milk but rather had whipped cream on top.

Am Thai Sushi Bar and Restaurant
3254 W. Montrose Ave.
Chicago 60618
872-208-7341
Delivery within 3 mile radius
Domain for purported web site still seems available

ronnie_suburban wrote:

nr706 wrote:One of those failed restaurants was Jamaica Gates, notable because it was where the Evanston Lunch Group™ introduced the inestimable Ronnie Suburban to the equally inestimable Gwiv. I don't think either has ever forgiven us.

Oh, c'mon . . . *big hug*

=R=

This was on February 16, 2006

=R=

Iconic Riggio's restaurant in Niles set to close 65 years after Chicago opening

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/s ... story.html

Little Unicoco, the ambitious "New Nigerian" Rogers Park restaurant on Howard Street, is closing its doors.

Little Unicoco wrote:We have received countless emails and messages on social media about our decision to close our door. It is unusual for a restaurant with such great food and service reviews to suddenly leave the stage, especially considering the growth in our social media presence and event calendar. Our decision came after carefully considering our purpose and our trajectory.

More info here.

Soluri and Sons has risen from the ashes...a little bit northwest of their old location. Now called Nonna Soluri's, on Morgan a bit south of 31st in the former Bridgeport Pasty place, they look to be serving a similar menu as the original. Open til 7 every day, they said. Just popped in now, will try a sandwich before long.

Coming soon on 3127 Ashland Avenue: Freezing Point Rolled Ice Cream. It seems to have several east coast locations.

I don't know, "hand rolled" seems very salacious.

Sounds like Thai rolled ice cream at Legend Tasty House in Chinatown, as mentioned here.

Sink|Swim wrote:Dear friends and family, our goal since day 1 has been to offer amazing food, exceptional service and a place where you can unwind. However, it is with a heavy heart to share that Sink|Swim will be closing on July 2nd to reconcept. This Sunday we are going out with a bang and will be celebrating the 2+ years we've served you and this amazing neighborhood. We will be offering everything left in house for only $5... that's right, $5! We want to thank you all for your endless love and support. We hope to see you this weekend and stay tuned to hear more about our next adventure.
Sincerely,
The Sink|Swim Staff

Paper signage on the newly rehabbed building on the NW corner of Diversey and Halsted (800 W. Diversey) of the business coming soon:

Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

They have a little shield-like insignia next to the words to make it look like a governmental department.

At first I thought, "Is that really the name?" Then it grew on me.

They have a number of locations in London, and elsewhere in England. This will be their first one in the states.

https://departmentofcoffee.com/locations/

The Kennison will be opening today in the former Perennial Virant space at The Hotel Lincoln.

https://www.thekennison.com/

There is activity in the old Shiso space at 449 W. North Ave. Forestero, Llc has passed food inspection and been issued a business license. A sign in the window says that it will be a Mexican/Korean fusion restaurant.

https://www.forasterorestaurant.com/

Edit: Forastero now shows a July 11th opening date on thier website.

Saw a sign in the window yesterday for Amancer Taco shop opening soon in the teeny space that previously housed the Alcove at 512 Main in Evanston.

Supposedly "breakfast tacos all day"....oooh watch out La Principal!

http://amanecertacos.com/

There is movement in the old Silver Cloud space at the corner of Damen and Wabansia. The old signage is down, including the paper one from 2012 that said "reopening soon." Rumor has it that there will be a restaurant going in there, with a similar neighborhood feel. No other information at this time.

riddlemay wrote:Department of Coffee and Social Affairs
At first I thought, "Is that really the name?" Then it grew on me.

Sounds a lot like the Legitimate Businessman's Social Club.

Royal Grocer and Co. will replace Red Door on Damen. They have been doing a lot of work on the patio, and intend to serve alcohol.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017071 ... rmer-patio

https://www.facebook.com/royalgrocerco/

edited to add more info

Dave148 wrote:

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

Say bonjour to Maison Marcel, the highly anticipated French restaurant and bakery opening next week in Lakeview.

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017070 ... se-replace

Don't know if this counts yet as I don't have an opening date but it should be soon...but LA Burdick Chocolates is coming to river north at 609 N State St (former home of Bang & Olufsen). This is in the same building as Sweetgreen and Alliance Patisserie. They have locations in NYC (SoHo), Boston, Cambridge (MA), and Walpole (NH).

I have been to their SoHo location which has a cafe as well with "drinkable chocolates", coffees/espresso, pastries, teas, etc. Not totally cheap but it's good stuff. Should go over well with fine chocolate snobs.

My guess is that they're opening within the next few months.
https://www.facebook.com/LA-Burdick-Cho ... 5380332124
https://www.burdickchocolate.com/

L.A. Burdick Chocolates
609 N State St

Brown Bag Seafood Co. is now open next to the Paulina Brown Line stop, at Roscoe and Paulina.

It's a great addition to the neighborhood and a pleasant surprise to me - I thought it was going to be yet another seafood-on-the-table joint. Great fish, fast service, and it wasn't even that pricey. They've got a ton of outdoor seating too.

Brown Bag Seafood Co.
3400 N Lincoln Ave
At Roscoe & Paulina

Naf Naf Grill is opening soon in the Deerfield Shopper's Court - 636 Deerfield Road, Deerfield.

Seems like this already would have been mentioned so sorry if I missed it, but I saw signage for a new Furious Spoon in Andersonville, in the space that used to be Johnny Brown Bag. Can't tell how long before it's ready to open. 5406 n. Clark.

Very saddened to see Northdown on Lincoln just north of Belmont was papered over today. A sign in the door says they are closed temporarily for repairs and remodeling, but I can't find any more info on their web site or social media. Has anyone heard any more details? I'm hopefully it is indeed just temporary.

Anyone have a guess to what the "unique kind of doughnut" might be at the upcoming Weston's Coffee &Tap Co.?

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017071 ... -shop-cafe

As posted in the Bar DeVille thread, July 29th will be the last night at the current location.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=522108#p522108

Chris' North Land Tavern and Grill in Wicker Park closed by the city - drug sales, plus health code violations
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017071 ... estigation

Chicagoans who haven’t had a chance to try celeb chef Michael Mina’s food no longer have to leave their city as Mina’s Margeaux Brasserie opens today inside the Waldorf Astoria

https://chicago.eater.com/2017/7/10/159 ... pen-french

Vidalia announced on their Facebook page they are closing their Lawrence Ave location, just east of Damen. This stretch of Lawrence has been revitalized in the past few years, but this spot in particular hasn't been forgiving to Vidalia, or The Last Pit Stop before them.


We are sorry to announce that we are permanently closing our Lawrence location. We will still be running the sub shop and fulfilling all catering orders out of the Milwaukee location.
For the time being we will be using the Lawrence Ave space for private events, pop up dinners, birthday parties, etc. Anyone interested can email us at info@vidaliachicago.com
Thanks to all for the support. We hope to see you again soon.

Chicago Eater wrote:We will still be running the sub shop and fulfilling all catering orders out of the Milwaukee location.

PSA from consumer enraged by businesses not explicitly providing crucial business information:
Reference is to recently opened sub shop w/in Crown Liquors at 2821 N Milwaukee Ave. (12p-10p Sun-Thu, 11a-11p Fri-Sat). No mention of it on their website.

Chicago Eater wrote: This stretch of Lawrence has been revitalized in the past few years, but this spot in particular hasn't been forgiving to Vidalia, or The Last Pit Stop before them.

I can't speak for Vidalia, but the location wasn't the problem with The Last Pit Stop, it was the subpar food.