Summer days are (mercifully) on the horizon in Chicago, portending a flood of surprising, exciting, and delicious restaurant and bar debuts all over the city. The following are just some restaurants that have opened — or reopened — their dining rooms, patios, and takeout windows. It will be updated periodically.
Know of a restaurant that’s opening? Email [emailprotected] with details so they can be included when this post is next updated.
June 7
Logan Square: The Basem*nt, the new bar and restaurant replacing Don Bucios, the vegan taqueria from Rodolfo Cuadros (Amaru, Bloom Plant Based Kitchen), is open. The space is supposed to bring nostalgia with comfort food, fun drinks, and a laid-back attitude. The Basem*nt, 2763 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
The Loop: The Plymouth, an iconic downtown rooftop known for its views and cheap drinks, has rebranded to Panchos with a focus on Mexican food. The change was made to attract more customers, as downtown restaurants were hit hard during the pandemic. Panchos, 327 S. Plymouth Court.
Pilsen: Tavern and Chicago pan pizza with caramelized crusts are the specialties at Novel Pizza Cafe. It’s also, perhaps, the only place in town where folks can order longaniza — the Filipino sausage — on their pies. There’s also more AAPI love as Four Letter Word provides the cafe’s coffee. The operation started as a pop-up at Sidepractice Coffee on the North Side. Novel Pizza Cafe, 1759 W. 19th Street.
River North: A Hollywood-style supper club has opened in the former Marvel space in River North. It’s called Charlie Martin’s, and the ownership (known for the defunct Homemade Pizza Co.; they’ve since opened a restaurant, Mino’s Italian, in Winnetka where you sample the same pizza) have high expectations for food. Owners Eric Fosse and Glenn Deutsch say they’ve missed the vibrancy of the city and wanted to return. Dishes include steak frites and dover sole. They’ll even have a sundae bar. Charlie Martin’s, 736 N. Clark Street.
South Loop: Yes, this isn’t a misprint: The former Acadia space, long taken over by Entree — a start-up that delivers meal kits made by a French Laundry alum — has opened a Hollywood-style supper club. Oliver’s features a thick seven-ounce burger, a martini garnished with caviar, and more. They’re still working on opening the dining room, but after only hosting the public for special events, customers can now dine-in regularly. Oliver’s, 1639 S. Wabash Avenue.
Highland Park: Indus, the modern Indian restaurant from the owners of Bhoomi Modern Indian Grill (inside Washington Hall food hall), has opened on the North Shore. Menu items include wagyu steak, smoked and grilled eggplant mousse, and more. It’s dinner for now, but look for brunch, including a lobster-stuffed dosa, to be added. Indus, 617 Central Avenue, Highland Park.
Wheeling: District Brew Yards, the self-pour beer bar — kind of a food hall for booze, with drafts from different brewers — has brought on Paulie Gee’s Pizza to be its new food operator in Wheeling. They’re serving Detroit, Sicillian, and New York pizzas, as well as chicken wings, burgers, and more. Paulie Gee’s at District Brew Yards Wheeling, 700 N. Milwaukee Avenue Wheeling.
May 24
Avondale: Limited Time Only, a collaborative seasonal patio bar from the team behind Motorshucker, Rainbow Wines owner Cub Dimling, and chef Jamie Davis (Marisol, Red & White Wines), will kick off a celebratory Memorial Day Weekend on Friday, May 24 at Guild Row. Notably, the membership club and event venue will open its bar and 100-seat patio to the public this summer on nights and weekends, so everyone is invited to peruse a menu of six po’boys, charcuterie and cheese boards, sides, snacks, and soft serve in flavors like rhubarb-and-riesling and chocolate-and-buttermilk. Limited Time Only at Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell Street, Open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday (take-out); 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (dine-in, take-out); 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (dine-in, take-out).
Gold Coast: New upscale Mediterranean restaurant Laurel is open inside the Talbott Hotel at 20 E. Delaware Place, according to a rep. Helmed by executive chef Dino Tsaknis (Primehouse), the posh all-day restaurant features dishes like shakshuka, egg and merguez breakfast sandwiches, yogurt-marinated Chicken joojeh, and tagliatelle tsouhti. The space has undergone a modern redesign with updated elements like warm natural wood and fresh greenery. It also offers a sprawling 100-seat patio. Laurel at the Talbott Hotel, 20 E. Delaware Place Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Lincoln Park: Shore Club, the upscale seasonal restaurant at North Avenue Beach, is back open for the summer, according to a rep. Shore Club Chicago, 1603 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Ravenswood: Arriba, a new rooftop margarita bar and wood-fired Tex-Mex snack spot, debuted Wednesday, May 15 atop farm-to-table staple Farm Bar Ravenswood at 4405 N. Damen Avenue, according to a rep. Executive Chef David Wakefield’s ode to his Texas roots, the sun-drenched space has launched with co*cktails like spicy margaritas, spiked horchata, and raspberry lime rickeys, plus dishes including shrimp co*cktail, tostadas, and chili con queso. Arriba, 4405 N. Damen Avenue, Open (weather dependent) 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
River North: In an apparent response to vigorous feedback from patrons, Bally’s Casino Chicago in late May opened expanding seating for on-site restaurants Kitchen 888 (an Asian noodle bar) and Medinah Bistro on the casino’s third floor inside the historic Medinah Temple, according to a rep. The company has added 500 additional square feet to the section, doubling Kitchen 888’s seating capacity to 100. It seems that customers gave Bally’s an earful about the prior setup. “Our team is constantly listening to and seeking feedback from our guests because their input is valuable to us,” vice-president and GM Mark Wong writes in a news release. Kitchen 888 and Medinah Bistro at Bally’s Casino Chicago, 600 N. Wabash Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.
West Town: Chengdu Bistro, a new sister restaurant from the team behind hit Sichuan mini-chain Chengdu Impression, launched on Saturday, May 18 at 2211 W. North Avenue, according to owners. Housed in the former home of Cebu, a Filipino spot that’s relocating to Lakeview, Chengdu Bistro presents a tighter, more streamlined menu than that of its older siblings, divided into three categories: hand-made Chengdu-style noodles with a variety of toppings, fresh xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and Sichuan-style small plates including dim sum. It also features five entrees such as a whole Peking duck. It joins Chengdu Impression locations in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Edgewater. Chengdu Bistro, 2211 W. North Avenue, Open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday.
Wicker Park: Valhalla, decorated chef Stephen Gillanders’ (S.K.Y., Apolonia) fine dining restaurant, will open on Saturday, June 1 in its new home at 2020 W. Division Street after departing Fulton Market food hall Time Out Market Chicago, per Tock. Valhalla, 2020 W. Division Street, Opens Saturday, June 1.
Skokie: Celebrity chef Rick Bayless will unveil a new outpost of Tortazo, his fast-casual chain known for Mexico City-style tortas and tacos, on Saturday, May 25 inside Macy’s at Westfield Old Orchard shopping mall in suburban Skokie. It’s the second Chicago area location for Tortazo, which is owned in part by Filipino fast-food giant Jollibee. Bayless opened the original inside Willis Tower in 2020 just six weeks before Chicago’s first pandemic indoor dining ban and launched a Manhattan location the following year. Tortazo Old Orchard Mall, 4909 Old Orchard Center in Skokie, Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
May 14
Bridgeport: New vegan soft serve specialist Runaway Cow opened in mid-April at 608 W. 31st Street in the former home of Scoops Ice Cream, according to Block Club Chicago. Owners Alison Eichhorn and Aaron Gutierrez feature oat milk ice cream from Temptation (a brand owned by Chicago Vegan Foods), and seem off to a roaring start — they tell reporters that Runaway Cow entirely sold out of soft serve during the opening weekend. The duo also offer dairy-free sundaes, shakes, malts, and “snowstorms” topped with vegan candies from Go Max Go Foods. Runaway Cow, 608 W. 31st Street, Open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Humboldt Park: Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar has reopened about two weeks after an accidental fire in its kitchen forced owners Tiffany and Guy Meikle to temporarily close for repairs, the couple announced on Facebook. An intimate neighborhood hit since its debut in 2017, Heritage takes a quirky approach to its menu with dishes from disparate parts of the globe — think prime rib pierogi, Korean fried chicken sandwiches, and Italian shaved lamb. Supporters raised more than $59,000 via GoFundMe to help the Meikles reopen. Heritage Restaurant and Caviar Bar, 2700 W. Chicago Avenue, Open noon to 9 p.m. Monday; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Lakeview: Avaspi, a new restaurant that aims to champion the flavors and cuisines of Anatolia, opened in late March at 1258 W. Belmont Avenue in the former home of Pescadero, owners announced on Facebook. An Asian peninsula that’s part of modern-day Turkey, Anatolia (also known as Asia Minor) is home to a wide range of groups including Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Assyrians. Owner Mehmet Duzgun, a hospitality industry veteran who spent 25 years at restaurants in his native Turkey, tells Block Club that many of Avaspi’s dishes are directly pulled from family recipes, including kutilk, or meaty Kurdish dumplings. Avaspi, 1258 W. Belmont Avenue, Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Reservations via Resy.
Lakeview: New Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant Little Village Cafe and Restaurant opened in mid-April at 2845 N. Broadway — notably, not in the Little Village neighborhood — owners announced on Instagram. Helmed by executive chef Firat Ahmet Ergun, founder of wine bistro Black & Caspian with partner Leyla Khanahmad, it emphasizes shared plates of “Turkish kitchen-inspired Mediterranean and Italian dishes.” Dinner menu items range from pastas, steak, and lamb chops to five types of kebabs; at brunch, patrons can expect omelets, French toast, and a Turkish breakfast (cheeses, cucumber, tomato, olives, jams, melon). Little Village Cafe & Restaurant, 2845 N. Broadway, Open 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Reservations via OpenTable.
Little Italy: Seasonal Chicago staple Mario’s Italian Lemonade, a legendary Italian ice destination founded in 1954, opened for the summer on Wednesday, May 1 at 1068 W. Taylor Street, owners announced on Instagram. The team has returned with an ample selection of flavors, including plenty of fruit options loaded with icy chunks of pulp. Mario’s Italian Lemonade, 1068 W. Taylor Street, Open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Lincoln Square: American and European dining styles mingle Laganini Chicago, a new co*cktail bar and restaurant that debuted in mid-April at 4768 N. Lincoln Avenue, owners and spouses Marko Kocic and Ana Teodorvic announced on Instagram. On the menu, ćevapi and cabbage rolls are joined by burgers and crepes. There’s also a full bar with co*cktails like the Bounty (vanilla vodka, Kahlua, Baily’s Amaretto) and seating on an outdoor patio. Laganini Chicago, 4768 N. Lincoln Avenue, Open 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Lincoln Square: Willow Cafe & Bistro, a new all-day restaurant replacing shuttered neighborhood stalwart Cafe Selmarie, opened Thursday, May 9 at 4729 N. Lincoln Avenue on Giddings Plaza, according to Block Club Chicago. Owner Andrew Pillman is a known figure in local hospitality after opening nearby beer bar Lincoln Square Taproom in the former home of Huettenbar, one of the area’s last-remaining German taverns. Opening bistro, brunch, and cafe menus primarily feature familiar egg dishes, sandwiches, and salads, yet a few European nods remain via chicken schnitzel and shrimp risotto. Willow Cafe & Bistro, 4729 N. Lincoln Avenue, Open (cafe) 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; (bistro) 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
North Center: Mochii Donut, a local mini-chain featuring chewy mochi doughnuts and Korean-style corn dogs, opened a new outpost in late March at 1840 W. Irving Park Road, the former home of modern Jewish deli Steingold’s of Chicago. The brand, which also serves boba drinks, poke, and so-called sushi burritos, has a stall inside the Chicago French Market and operates suburban locations in St. Charles, Orland Park, Lombard, and Aurora. Mochii Donut North Center, 1840 W. Irving Park Road, Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Old Irving Park: El Taco Feliz #2, a second outpost from the team behind neighborhood favorite El Taco Feliz Taqueria in Portage Park, opened in late March at 3552 N. Pulaski Road, according to a Facebook post. Early reports indicate that its food stands up to the original location with hits like Texano tacos, al pastor sopes, and carne asada tortas. El Taco Feliz #2, 3552 N. Pulaski Road, Open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
West Ridge: NYC Halal Eats, a zabiha halal street food mini-chain, made a raucous debut in late April at 2657 W. Devon Avenue by giving away five thousand saucy, meaty platters, owners announced on Instagram. A fast-casual late-night restaurant channeling New York City’s popular halal carts, it features a wide selection of gyros, build-your-own platters and plates, Philly cheesesteaks, hero sandwiches, and more. The new restaurant is the brand’s first in Chicago, joining sister spots in New York City, New Jersey, and Michigan. NYC Halal Eats Chicago, 2657 W. Devon Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. daily.
Wicker Park: Tacombi, the Danny Meyer-backed “Shake Shack of Mexican food” that unveiled its first Chicago restaurant in 2023, is opening its second local outpost on Wednesday, May 15 at 1442 N. Milwaukee Avenue, according to a rep. Founded in 2006, the brand has garnered attention for its menu drawn from a wide swath of Mexican states, with taco options including al pastor, Baja-style crispy fish, beef birria, and black bean with sweet potato. Tacombi also operates restaurants in New York City, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and Virginia. Tacombi Wicker Park, 1442 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Opens Wednesday, May 15.
March 1
Ashburn: Jerk Soule, a new restaurant serving soul food and Jamaican cuisine, opened Friday, February 23 at 8216 S. Kedzie Avenue, a formerly abandoned building that owners and spouses Judith Gibson and Cedric Davis purchased in 2021, according to Block Club Chicago. A spate of family tragedies brought construction to a halt but in 2023, Gibson survived a heart attack that inspired her to rededicate herself to the project. Menu highlights range from turkey chops and shrimp po’ boys to jerk chicken eggrolls and curried goat. Jerk Soule, 8216 S. Kedzie Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Belmont Cragin: The owners of Venezuelan food truck Naguara Arepas in Humboldt Park opened a permanent sister spot in February at 2525 N. Laramie Avenue, they announced on Instagram. Menu items include, naturally, arepas, as well as Venezuelan empanadas, patacones, and pepitos. Naguara Arepas, 2525 N. Laramie Avenue, Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Jefferson Park: New brunch spot Sweet Cafe opened in early February at 6348 W. Higgins Avenue, replacing the shuttered Big Top Diner, according to Block Club. Owner George Prassas, who bought the property shortly before pandemic lockdown began, has spent five years working toward the cafe’s debut, navigating supply chain issues and gutting the former diner to expand its capacity. Customers can expect a menu of sweet and savory breakfast staples like pancakes, waffles, crepes, and tons of eggs. Prassas also owns locations of Sugar Bowl diner in suburban Des Plaines and Michigan City, Indiana, along with Sweet Diner in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward neighborhood. Sweet Cafe, 6348 W. Higgins Avenue, Open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Lakeview: Regardless of the machinations of a particular groundhog, a sure-fire sign of spring arrives in Chicago on Friday as Scooter’s Frozen Custard reopens for the season at 1658 W. Belmont Avenue, owners announced on Instagram. A purveyor of some of Chicago’s finest custard and Italian ice, Scooter’s is a staple for sweet-toothed fans across the city. Scooter’s Frozen Custard, 1658 W. Belmont Avenue, Open 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Lincoln Park: Egg Tuck, the West Coast-based smash-hit brand known for Korean-influenced egg sandwiches, has unveiled its second Chicago outpost at 2411 N. Clark Street, reps announced on Instagram. Egg Tuck opened its first location outside California in late 2023 in the Loop and rapidly gained a local following for its brioche buns stuffed with fluffy eggs and a wide variety of customizable toppings. A third Chicago shop is slated to open this year near the University of Illinois Chicago. Egg Tuck Lincoln Park, 2411 N. Clark Street, Opens 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.
Lincoln Park: A new casual Greek restaurant opened earlier in the week at the intersection of Clybourn, Willow, and Sheffield. It’s called Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina, and it’s a daytime cafe with pastries and Greek coffee, salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads for lunch and dinner. It’s a bit chaotic during opening weekend and it’s inside the former Ayo Pizza space. Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina, 953 W. Willow Street, hours not posted yet.
South Loop: Mei’s, a new all-day restaurant serving Taiwanese, Mandarin, Sichuan, and Japanese cuisines, opened Thursday, February 22 at 1108 S. Michigan Avenue, Taiwan-born owner Su-Mei Yen announced on Instagram. For breakfast, customers can expect familiar American fare like French toast and eggs Benedict alongside “Asian-inspired” options like Hong Kong-style wonton noodle soup and two eggs with a lightly fried Berkshire pork chop. Lunch and dinner offerings include numerous dumplings, Taiwanese sticky rice, Japanese karaage, mapo tofu, and much more. Mei’s, 1108 S. Michigan Avenue, Open 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. (breakfast) and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (lunch and dinner) daily.
Streeterville: South Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette launched its seventh Chicago area location in late February at 325 E. Illinois Street, reps announced on Facebook. The debut is part of a significant expansion for the brand, which in 2022 had only one Chicago outpost inside H Mart in West Loop. Paris Baguette Streeterville, 325 E. Illinois Street, Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Uptown: Vietnamese American coffee brand Fat Miilk opened its long-awaited flagship cafe with a Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, February 17 at 5018 N. Broadway, according to neighborhood blog Uptown Update. Owner Lan Ho founded the company as a mail-order operation in September 2020 before going on to host numerous pop-ups around Chicago, which inspired her to pursue a permanent location. Ho announced her plans for Uptown, noted for its prominent community of Vietnamese businesses, in 2022. Fat Miilk cafe, 5018 N. Broadway Street, Hours not yet available.
February 20
Chatham: Maxine’s, a new Italian restaurant from the owners of soul food hit Oooh Wee! It Is!, debuted on Wednesday, February 14 in a space connected to its sister restaurant at 33 E. 83rd Street, according to Block Club Chicago. Owner Mark Walker named Maxine’s after his mother, the late Rev. Maxine Walker, and hopes to honor her legacy of elaborate dinner parties with a menu featuring king crab linguine, Caesar salads prepared tableside, and an unusual salmon Pop-Tart presented in a gold-plated toaster — a riff on Chicago’s distinctive genre of Black-influenced egg rolls. Maxine’s, 33 E. 83rd Street, Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Lincoln Park: Kosovo-based restaurant chain Pasta Fasta opened its first U.S. location on Tuesday, January 30 at 2468 N. Clark Street, operators announced on Instagram. The quick-serve brand specializes in a variety of pasta for takeout and delivery, but patrons can also dine in at the counter-service spot. Pasta Fasta Lincoln Park, 2468 N. Clark Street, Open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Logan Square: A long-awaited outpost of mini-chain Wake-N-Bakery, known for serving food and drink infused with Delta-9 THC, opened in early February at 2757 N. Milwaukee Avenue. Locals have waited since signs first went up in 2022 for the sixth location from the Illinois-based company to debut. A combination of permitting and construction issues pushed back the opening twice, manager Sean Parsons tells Block Club, which gave the team plenty of time to outfit the space with colorful weed-themed murals. Menu items include a variety of lemonades, hot and iced lattes like Lucy in the Sky (lavender, French vanilla), and edibles (infused or not) such as brownies, gluten-free scones, and cookies. Wake-N-Bakery Logan Square, 2757 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Open 8 a.m. to 8 pm. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Logan Square: Japanese restaurant and co*cktail bar Wave Sushi & Sake opened in early February at 1858 N. Western Avenue. Located next door to Dark Matter Coffee’s Electric Mud Coffee Bar, the low-lit spot offers both traditional and creative maki alongside donburi and Asian-style carpaccios. Wave Sushi & Sake, 1858 N. Western Avenue, Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
North Park: Faiza Chicago, a new halal restaurant serving Uyghur cuisine, opened in early January at 3315 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue inside the former home of Korean BBQ House, owners announced on Instagram. It’s a rare spot where diners can find the food of China’s persecuted Turkic Muslim minority (there’s also Uyghur-owned Café Alif in West Ridge) featuring lots of dumplings, noodles, stir-fries, and grilled meats. Faiza Chicago, 3315 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
O’Hare International Airport: Travelers passing through Terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport have two new dining options: The Hampton Social, a mini-chain from Nisos Prime owner Parker Hospitality; and West Loop’s Bar Siena, according to a rep. Both restaurants opened in late January amid the latter stages of a $1.3 billion expansion and renovation on the terminal. The Hampton Social, Terminal 5 - M6, Open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; Bar Siena, Terminal 5 - M34, Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Old Town: The owners of Nepal House have at long last unveiled a 45-seat new location at 158 W. Division Street after massive renovations to the former home of Sarpino’s Pizzeria. Nepal House has locations across the city and runs Chicago Curry House in South Loop. Nepal House Old Town, 158 W. Division Street, Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Pilsen: Sweets stalwart Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe, a premiere Chicago bakery in Lakeview for over three decades, unveiled its second location on Friday at 2019 S. Laflin Street. It’s a major expansion for owner Esther Griego, a Mexican American who is partnering with Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe on a special menu only available in Pilsen featuring creative and traditional Mexican favorites like conchas and palmiers. Griego and Tanabe have also tapped the talents of Marcos Carbajal, the second-generation owner of Carnitas Uruapan and a 2024 James Beard semifinalist, for a carnitas quiche. Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe Pilsen, 2019 S. Laflin Street, Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Streeterville: Chef Steve Chiappetti, a hospitality veteran who last year took over ground-floor restaurant the Albert inside the Hotel EMC2, opened new pizzeria and wine bar Archive Lounge on Friday, February 9 on the second floor of the hotel at 228 E. Ontario Street, according to a rep. A casual, 40-seat spot, the lounge offers a rotating lineup of Sicilian-style pizzas (opening options include a smoked duck pie with toasted pine nuts and goat cheese) and snacks such as salsiccia and peppers. Archive Lounge inside the Hotel EMC2, 228 E. Ontario Street, 2nd Floor, Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Uptown: Mao Bar, a new co*cktail bar serving a wide range of Asian spirits, debuted in December 2023 at 4949 N. Broadway inside Thai restaurant Immm Rice & Beyond, owner Drew Suriyawan announced on Instagram. Suriyawan, who opened Imm in 2015, tells Block Club that he aims to fill a co*cktail void in Asia on Argyle with drinks like Siam Square (Kura Pure Malt Japanese Whisky, A.E. Dor V.S. Cognac, Bodega Martinez Lacuesta Rojo Vermouth, aquavit) and Paper Tiger (pineapple amaro, Nonino Amaro, Alta Verde Amaro, blood orange sour). Mao Bar, 4949 N. Broadway, Open 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
West Loop: Local barbecue heavy-hitter Soul & Smoke launched its fourth Chicago area outpost on Friday, February 16 at 500 W. Madison Street inside the Accenture Tower skyscraper, according to a rep. The team is serving chef D’Andre Carter’s popular prime brisket sandwich, shrimp and grits, smoked meats by the pound, and a handful of salads and bowls. Soul & Smoke West Loop, 500 W. Madison Street, Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
West Town: Modern Relish, the hotly anticipated replacement for longtime hot dog stand Duk’s Red Hots, opened in late January at 636 N. Ashland Avenue, the Sun-Times reported. Duk’s closed in December after business partners Anthony “Tony” Pagliuca and Angela Villanueva bought it from founder Mervyn Dukatte. They’ve applied for a liquor license and plan to sell wine and beer once it’s approved. In the meantime, patrons can count on street food staples like Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, and pizza puffs. Modern Relish, 636 N. Ashland Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
January 5
Fulton Market: Sushi stall Madai opened in December inside Time Out Market Chicago, according to (guess who) Time Out Chicago, bringing a Japanese option to fill a void left by the exit of longtime favorite Arami. Madai is helmed by chef Ismael Lucero Lopez (Japanais, Rebar, TenGoku Aburiya, Arami), who will bring some Latin influences to options like El Baja (panko ebi, tuna, avocado, marinated jalapenos) and Tres Ronin (tuna, hamachi, salmon, cliantro, poblano, lime zest). Madai, 916 W. Fulton Market inside Time Out Market Chicago, Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Garfield Ridge: After a lengthy shutdown and renovation process, Villa Rosa Pizza reopened on Thursday, January 4 in a new space at 5786 S. Archer Avenue, owners announced on Facebook. Originally founded in 1972, the neighborhood pizzeria was shut down by the Chicago Department of Public Health in September 2022 and has been under construction ever since, with operators regularly updating fans with pictures of the buildout on social media. “We want to thank you, all the Villa Rosa fans, friends, and family for your patience and support and look forward to seeing you!” they write. Villa Rosa Pizza, 5786 S. Archer Avenue, Hours not yet available.
Lincoln Park: Brun, a cookie shop from the team behind vegan empanada business Fons, opened Tuesday, January 2 at 2566 N. Clark Street. The counter-service spot has replaced the original Fons location, though a trio of empanada outposts remain. Brun is decidedly not vegan, with a menu of cookie flavors including strawberry, banana pudding, “brookie” (read: brownie cookie), and birthday cake, plus stuffed cookies such as Biscoff and Nutella. Brun Cookies, 2566 N. Clark Street, Open noon to 10 p.m. daily.
Lincoln Square: Cafe Mas, a vegan coffee shop and cafe from the owners of Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, opened in late December at 2310 W. Foster Avenue, the team announced on Instagram. The Mexican-owned cafe is awash in brightly colored murals and serves a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, as well as dishes like the Power Burrito (refried beans, spinach, kale, pico de gallo, avocado). Cafe Mas, 2310 W. Foster Avenue, Open noon to 5 p.m. daily.
The Loop: Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani will launch his latest project, “sexy” Mediterranean restaurant and co*cktail bar Seville, on Saturday, January 6 on the 16th floor of The Canopy by Hilton Chicago at 243 S. Franklin Street, according to a rep. Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena, Prime & Provisions) promises a sharing-friendly seasonal menu that traverses the costal regions around the Mediterranean Sea with opening dishes like grilled octopus (fingerling potatoes, nduja) and paella-style risotto (clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, chicken, saffron). The 5,900-square-foot rooftop dining room is lined with windows for views of the city and there’s a 1,700-square-foot outdoor bar and lounge space that will be open almost year-round with heaters. Seville, 243 S. Franklin Street, 16th Floor, Open Saturday, January 6, Reservations available via Seven Rooms.
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