New Restaurants
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| Bottom Nine |
3330 N. Clark St. |
Chicago |
773-281-6463 |
| Driftwood |
1021 W. Montrose Ave. |
Chicago |
773-975-3900 |
| Jokes and Notes |
4641 S. King Dr. |
Chicago |
773-373-3390 |
Coming Soon
Flatwater
New owners will renovate the waterfront space that houses Blandino's Sorriso, which is closing in early March, before splashing down with this New American concept in the spring (321 N. Clark St., 312-644-0283).
Organic Oven Works
Bistro Campagne owner Michael Altenberg, a leader of the local organic dining movement, has the "Midwest's first organic pizzeria" in the oven for later this year. Location hunting is still underway with a probability of Bucktown and a possibility of Lincoln Square.
Trattoria D.O.C.
A scaled-up spin-off of Pizza D.O.C., with an expanded pizza menu and "a real bar," is set to open April 1st in Evanston (706 Main St.).
The Shikami brothers
The owners of River North fusion favorite Kevin, will unveil a second, unnamed concept by year's end on the ground floor of a historic Philip Johnson building (190 S. LaSalle St.) with private dining in the sky (40th floor).
Good Deals and Other News
Whether you spell it kalimotxo or calimocho, you can quaff the trendy drink of Spain's cafe culture (a blend of red wine and Coke that some call a variation on sangria, others a secret recipe) at Spanish/small-plate spots like Haro, People Lounge and del Toro (the latter also offers tinto de verano, or red wine and Limonata).
Has introduced an Iron Chef–inspired "Night of the Unique Ingredient" on the first Monday of every month showcasing impromptu à la carte seafood dishes using the item in question (February guest-starred Florida crystal crab and Australian spiny lobster).
Come into the Kitsch'n for a freebie happy-hour buffet on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30–6:30 PM.
La Bonita Ixcapuzalco Recipes
Ixcapuzalco has a new name, and neither Tomas nor Geno Bahena is now involved. The change marks the end of the brothers' once burgeoning empire as Geno Bahena recently closed Chilpancingo in River North.
L8
This River North Italian–New American has closed though its owners hope to reopen in a nearby space in the fall.
The Park Hyatt's posh dining oasis continues to use those ultracool, ultrathin Riedel stemless wine glasses as water glasses – despite stemware and dinnerware breakage reaching into the six figures last year, according to a staffer.
Romance is in the air at this Lincoln Park New American, which now offers a "Carriage Ride Combo" on Wednesday and Thursday evenings featuring a three-course prix fixe dinner (with two choices for each course) followed by a ride in a turn-of-the-century handcrafted horse-drawn carriage ($60 per person, or add $25 for a carriage ride for up to six people if dining à la carte; 773-477-5845).
Ranalli's
On St. Patrick's Day, the Lincoln Avenue home of this longtime beer-and-pizza hangout will reopen as Ranalli and Ryan's (1925 N. Lincoln Ave., 312-642-1300), a pizza/Irish pub hybrid. In addition to installing a new bar with tap beer (the popular people-watching patio will stay), new owners are adding Irish specialties to the menu and cutting back the beer list from 100 to 50 selections.
If you need a little comfort from the raw March winds, partake in an à la carte "Foie Gras Festival" menu featuring foie in every course. Dishes include a foie gras "slider" with sweet potato fries ($28); foie gras "lollipops" dipped in sea salt and sugar ($18); and a "sundae" of foie gras mousse with candied pecans, port-soaked cherries and foie gras whipped cream ($20); available through March.
Souk
Wicker Park's Middle Easterner will expand to the Market District this summer with a second location – same name, different menu (1240 W. Randolph St.).
U Lucky Dawg
After decades enjoying its reputation as the original, favorite Fluky's, the Western Avenue hot dog house has undergone a name change to distinguish itself from its unrelated namesakes.
- The Berghoff
- Chilpancingo
- Hilary's Urban Eatery
- Solstice
- Trio Atelier