Times may be tough, but you wouldn’t know it from these five restaurants slated to open in the next few weeks.
Eivissa: Opening at the end of the month, this Old Town arrival will serve pinxtos (Basque-style tapas) from itinerant toque Dudley Nieto (1531 N. Wells; 312-929-2951).
Ristorante Al Teatro: La Madia and FoLLia vet Giovanni Zonca helms this 200-seat Italian eatery (think seafood soup, lasagna and housemade gelato) opening in late January (1227 W. 18th St.; 312-379-3984).
Sunda: Also in late January, the boys of Rockit ranch (Rockit Bar & Grill and The Underground) are letting chef Rodelio Aglibot (ex LA's Koi) loose in this modern Pan-Asian eatery designed by Tony Chi (110 W. Illinois).
Terragusto 2: The owners of Roscoe Village fave Terragusto are opening a Lincoln Park outpost of the Italian trattoria on January 19th (340 W. Armitage).
Tocco: Located in a former McDonald’s that's been outfitted with imported Italian furniture, this Italian from the owner of the Market District's FoLLia should be serving wood-fired pizza and and other goodies by late January (1266 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-687-8895).