Chicago : Notable Openings

Working the Pitchfork

BuzzEditor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Pitchfork, a brick-walled, antler-adorned Avondale taproom from the crew behind Wrigleyville’s Rebel Bar & Grill, et al., is all about the hard stuff, promoting its selection of whiskey, bourbon, rye and scotch above all else; the ’hood’s indie-leaning neighbors rub elbows over Southern-tinged bar bites and big plates featuring daily specials that, when paired with accompanying drink deals, keep costs in check.

2922 W. Irving Park Rd.; 773-866-2010

The Hearty Boys and the Case of the Brand-New Restaurant

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Hearty

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Food Network stars The Hearty Boys offer their New American take on comfort food (e.g. lobster pot pie, root-beer-BBQ pulled-pork sandwich) along with midpriced wines and fun cocktails at Hearty, a funky Wrigleyville haunt serving dinner and brunch; the interior features exposed brick and bright walls, glass artwork and a mahogany and tile bar, and outdoors there’s garden dining in season.

3819 N. Broadway; 773-868-9866

Hearty

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Big Star Makes a Big Splash

BuzzEditor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:52:00 GMT

Big Star

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Behind the scenes at new Bucktown taqueria Big Star lurks a powerhouse team – folks from avec, Blackbird, The Publican, Sonotheque and Violet Hour – who have joined forces to offer ultrafresh, affordable Mexican fare and a bar list focused on American whiskeys and small-batch tequilas; the divey-chic setting, with dangling lightbulbs, bare wood seating and a turntable on the bar cranking out obscure honky-tonk tunes, also includes a cash-only pickup window and seasonal beer garden.

1531 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-4039

Bucktown Goes LoKal

BuzzEditor — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:15:00 GMT

LoKal

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

The edgy Bucktown eatery LoKal offers modern European fare (cabbage cakes with spicy chili dip, whole wheat potato pierogi in date sauce), plus a limited but affordable wine list and a handful of house cocktails; the space’s concrete floor, mineral color scheme and massive mesh light fixtures create a cool urban vibe, and there’s an intimate lounge area.

1904 W. North Ave.; 773-904-8113

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Landing in Crêpe Town

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:42:00 GMT

Crêpe Town

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Creative savory, sweet and breakfast crêpes make for budget-friendly bites at Crêpe Town, an upscale-casual Lakeview counter-service storefront with bright, modern decor in gray and green; you can take out or grab a table, where you can BYO or enjoy a smoothie or coffee drink to go with your eats.

3915 N. Sheridan Rd.; 773-248-8844

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

More Crêpe Cravings?

BuzzEditor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:41:00 GMT

If crêpes with lots of custom combo options are what you’re craving, the casual Euro-style BYO Crêpe Crave has you covered, and also offers a big selection of artisanal gelati and coffee drinks; the caramel-colored space is soothing and stylish, with bare tables, a sofa seating area and rotating local artwork for sale.

1752 W. North Ave.; 773-698-8783

Savoring Sabor Saveur

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:55:00 GMT

Savbor Saveur

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

French-Mexican fusion is the name of the game at Sabor Saveur, a Ukrainian Village arrival offering dishes like consommé with cacti-chorizo dumplings, chocolate-braised salmon and lobster enchiladas; the intimate, minimalist-chic environs boast a concrete-faced open kitchen, semi-secluded tables with white linens and dramatic candleholders, and a lofty back room.

2013 W. Division St.; 773-235-7310

See more new restaurants in Chicago

Savbor Saveur

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Get in My Belly!

BuzzEditor — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:06:00 GMT

At Belly Shack, a counter-service BYO under the el tracks in Humboldt Park, the urbanbelly crew delivers a budget-friendly Eclectic menu including Asian and Latin riffs on sandwiches, soups, salads and side dishes, along with creative soft-serve ice cream and sodas; the funky, industrial-chic setting includes drafting stools, distressed tables (one communal), a concrete floor and a composition-board counter.

1912 N. Western Ave.; 773-252-1414

A Peek at Pelago

BuzzEditor — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:53:00 GMT

Pelago

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Upscale contemporary seafood and fresh pasta dishes made with local ingredients are the focus at Pelago, a sophisticated Streeterville hotel Italian, which also serves four- or six-course tasting menus, plus breakfast and lunch; the striking setting contrasts dark, white and aqua tones, and also features a mother-of-pearl mosaic fireplace and a marble bar.

201 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-280-0700

Pelago

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Little Jacky on the Prairie

BuzzEditor — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:19:00 GMT

Jacky's on Prairie

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Evanston’s Jacky's Bistro has been reworked as Jacky's on Prairie, an homage to former chef-owner Jacky Pluton (even though he's no longer affiliated) that offers a midpriced, all-day modern French menu accompanied by seasonal cocktails and more than 200 wines; the charming setting boasts topiary in the floor-to-ceiling windows, a romantic interior done in warm wood and buttery yellow, and a secluded chef’s table room.

2545 Prairie Ave.; 847-733-0899

Jacky's on the Prairie

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Boozing With Beckett

BuzzEditor — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:01:00 GMT

A portrait of its namesake playwright, Samuel Beckett, presides over homey Lakeview pub Beckett's Public House, a cousin to nearby Wilde Bar & Restaurant; social folks hang by the intricately carved wood bar or snag one of the plentiful tables for midpriced craft brews or rib-sticking Irish pub grub, but for those with a solitary, literary mindset, there’s a fireplace-blessed nook that’s filled with books.

3210 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-880-9620

Something to Sprout About

BuzzEditor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:14:00 GMT

Sprout

Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography

The menu at the upscale, white-tablecloth Lincoln Park French-Italian Sprout skews organic – befitting its down-to-earth name – as does its selection of wines, beers and specialty cocktails; soft lighting warms the intimate, elegant space, which features design touches like a marble floor, red velvet banquettes and French doors that open onto an enclosed patio in warm weather.

1417 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-348-0706

See more photos
Planted yourself at Sprout? Write a review
See more new restaurants in Chicago

Ooh La La, LM!

BuzzEditor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:53:00 GMT

LM Le Restaurant

Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography

Seasonal, modern French fare pairs with a concise global wine list and a handful of house cocktails and craft brews at LM Le Restaurant, an upscale yet moderately priced Lincoln Square neighborhood spot; fine-dining service adds a sophisticated touch, as does the intimate, candlelit setting featuring a partially open kitchen, a small bar and an outdoor dining area.

4539 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-942-7585

See more photos
Been to LM Le Restaurant? Write a review
See more new restaurants in Chicago

Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography

Nightlife's New Novo

BuzzEditor — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:50:00 GMT

Bar Novo

Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography

The State Street people-watching is as solid as the creative, mixologist-made cocktails at Bar Novo, the sleek, modern, upper-moderately priced Loop lounge on the first floor of the Renaissance Chicago Hotel; the evocatively lit surroundings draw scene-makers as well as pre-theatergoers, who settle into the plentiful orange-leather barstools at the expansive bar for noshing on a tiny variety of small plates.

1 W. Wacker Dr.; 312-372-7200

Photo: stephenjohnsonphotography

Argentinean Folklore

BuzzEditor — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:22:00 GMT

Folklore

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotgraphy

Folklore, a hipster version of Tango Sur, arrives in Ukrainian Village offering a similar affordable Argentinean steakhouse menu (with the addition of organic and grass-fed beef options) plus – unlike its BYO sibling – a full bar issuing specialty cocktails; the intimate, candlelit setting features a tin ceiling, reclaimed wood accents and a colorful exterior mural.

2100 W. Division St.; 773-292-1600