The biggest news of the fall is that the seemingly endless wait for the Publican will soon be over, but there are plenty of other exciting openings to look forward to:
The Bristol: Chris Pandel (ex Café Boulud, Tru) will be serving up pâté, terrine, charcuterie and more at this beer-focused restaurant opening September 23rd in Bucktown (2152 N. Damen Ave.; 773-862-5555).
Jackson Park Bar and Grill: After three years of menu development, Jason Paskewitz is aiming for a late fall opening of this American spot in the old Jazz Record Mart space, where he'll be offering big plates of classic fare including steaks, chops, and braised short ribs (444 N. Wabash Ave., 312-644-7200).
Lula's Pilsen Location: Though there’s no official name yet, the folks from Lula – who have a knack for setting up successful shop on the edges of urban gentrification areas – will bring their local, sustainable New American to the Pilsen neighborhood in late November. Chef de cuisine Jason Vincent will man the pass (2119 S. Halsted St.).
Olo: In late October (or early November), Sean Eastwood of Isabella’s Estiatorio in Geneva brings his Mediterranean- and North African-influenced cuisine to the Randolph Street corridor in the West Loop. On the menu are rustic flatbreads and tajines from his wood-burning brick oven (1152 W. Randolph St.; 312-733-0573).
Province: Ceviche master Randy Zweiban (ex Nacional 27) breaks out of his South American shell with this mid-to-late October arrival, where he'll be serving Latin-inspired New American fare like house-cured anchovies and lamb with chorizo and cornbread (161 N. Jefferson St.).
The Publican: After a two-year delay, Chicago’s most anticipated restaurant finally arrives the first week of October. The team behind Blackbird and Avec will debut its pork-, beer-, and oyster-filled menu with chef de cuisine Brian Huston at the helm (845 W. Fulton Market).
Town and Country: Top Chef runner-up Dale Levitski launches his seasonal American West Loop restaurant in late November or early December (525 W. Monroe).
– Michael Nagrant