tem wrote:

AlexG wrote:Three recent closings in Highland Park:
*Merlo's, the Italian place in the Ravinia district on Roger Williams shut down unexpectedly. It had its detractors, but in my opinion stayed in its lane with traditional Italian and some exceptional dishes like the brussel sprout appetizer and Nonna's pot roast. Solid place for dinner with kids or other couples or even quick take out. We will definitely miss it.
*Green Panda, Chinese on the corner of Old Elm and Second is shuttered. It was the same inconsistent Chinese you get at most Highland Park spots. Sometimes it was pretty good, other times not so much.
*Tomo Sushi, Japanese at the corner of Green Bay and Central in the doomed spot that was at one point a Quizno's, some membership-type eatery, and a Thomas the Tank Engine store, is a casualty of the glut of sushi in Highland Park, leaving us with only six other sushi restaurants by my count.

Green Panda moved to the Yu's Szchuan space at 822 Central. Yu's was OK - good 'bad' Chinese. Had Green Panda for the first time a couple weeks ago. Meh.

I thought that spot was now Jade, which I think was the previous name of Green Panda at the other location. Regardless, you are right, very meh.

AlexG wrote:

tem wrote:

AlexG wrote:Three recent closings in Highland Park:
*Merlo's, the Italian place in the Ravinia district on Roger Williams shut down unexpectedly. It had its detractors, but in my opinion stayed in its lane with traditional Italian and some exceptional dishes like the brussel sprout appetizer and Nonna's pot roast. Solid place for dinner with kids or other couples or even quick take out. We will definitely miss it.
*Green Panda, Chinese on the corner of Old Elm and Second is shuttered. It was the same inconsistent Chinese you get at most Highland Park spots. Sometimes it was pretty good, other times not so much.
*Tomo Sushi, Japanese at the corner of Green Bay and Central in the doomed spot that was at one point a Quizno's, some membership-type eatery, and a Thomas the Tank Engine store, is a casualty of the glut of sushi in Highland Park, leaving us with only six other sushi restaurants by my count.

Green Panda moved to the Yu's Szchuan space at 822 Central. Yu's was OK - good 'bad' Chinese. Had Green Panda for the first time a couple weeks ago. Meh.

I thought that spot was now Jade, which I think was the previous name of Green Panda at the other location. Regardless, you are right, very meh.

It is in fact Jade Chinese.

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises is expanding its food empire into a huge, four-level space along the Chicago River that will be one of the largest projects in its 47 years.
The space will include two restaurants and a private events space. The 35,000-square-foot space is part of a $50 million upgrade of the office tower at 321 N. Clark St.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html

As per Eater a couple of new places have opened in Lincoln Park.

A new mediterranean place called Cedar House has opened in the old Robinson's No. 1 Ribs space at 655 W. Armitage ave.

7 Plates Cafe has opened in the recently vacated Aquitaine space at 2221 N. Lincoln Ave., described as a "casual European-style" restaurant.

http://cedarhouse.business.site
https://www.sevenplatescafe.com

Drover wrote:2) Lucky Charm Cafe at 3600 W. Irving Park, directly across from McDonald's
https://www.facebook.com/LuckyCharmCafeChicago/

Another restaurant featuring cold breakfast cereal?

Heh, that was my first thought: "people are going to instantly associate your establishment with cloying children's breakfast cereal..."

Bareburger is "temporarily closed" on Paulina and Lincoln. It's been temporarily closed for at least two weeks.

3357 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Drover wrote:Thirteen Pins on Irving Park just west of the expressway has a handwritten sign in the window stating "Close [sic] for Vacation"

Ha! Is this the one that insists it is the neighborhood's most awesomest bar, or some such? 'Cuz it ain't.

It's a shame I couldn't make use of the window seating, though.

jacketpotato wrote:Bareburger is "temporarily closed" on Paulina and Lincoln. It's been temporarily closed for at least two weeks.

3357 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Wow I live right by there and haven't even noticed. We don't go often, though. It's good but a touch pricey.

In other neighborhood news, the local Bangers and Lace will in theory be reborn as Kite String Cantina, a taquito and bubbler cocktail bar on March 19th.

In other neighborhood news, the local Bangers and Lace will in theory be reborn as Kite String Cantina, a taquito and bubbler cocktail bar on March 19th.

Bangers&Lace ownership is also selling Evanston location. Asking $299K with monthly rent approx $16,000.

Lenny007 wrote:

In other neighborhood news, the local Bangers and Lace will in theory be reborn as Kite String Cantina, a taquito and bubbler cocktail bar on March 19th.

Bangers&Lace ownership is also selling Evanston location. Asking $299K with monthly rent approx $16,000.

Bangers and Lace Bar/Restaurant in Hip Downtown Evanston. Turn key.

=R=

I'm excited about this, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's been mentioned yet: Martin Yan is opening a restaurant (name = Chef Yan Can or Yan Can Asian Bistro, I'm not sure; the website only indicates one other location, in Santa Clara, CA) in the Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, across from the ticket counter for the AMC theater.

I'm a big Yan fan (complete with an autographed copy of his Martin Yan's Chinatown Cooking, a present from my brother), but not a fan of any of the other Chinese food offerings in the area, so I'm excited about this. Over the winter, the construction work was all hidden behind plywood, but I'm told it's getting close to opening.

There's also an outpost of Tous les Jours, apparently a Vietnamese/French cafe franchise, opening (or already open?) across from the Yan Can site, under the escalator up to the theaters, but I'm not very excited about that. But that's just me not being much into sweets and coffee.

Katie wrote:I'm excited about this, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it's been mentioned yet: Martin Yan is opening a restaurant (Yan Can Asian Bistro; the website only indicates one other location, in Santa Clara, CA) in the Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills, across from the ticket counter for the AMC theater.

Here's hoping it lives up to its promise! My fear, given the mall location, is that it will turn out be a glorified Panda Express concept. I've got my fingers crossed, though.

I find it hard to imagine that someone with Martin Yan's name recognition and reputation isn't aiming higher than that.

Upon more googling, I see that the San Jose Mercury News reported in October 2017 that he was going to close the restaurant in Santa Clara and has opened two in downtown San Francisco, one of which is in a Westfield shopping center. Looks like they are getting good reviews so far. Vernon Hill's Hawthorn Mall is a Westfield property too, so that may go some way to explaining the choice of location.

Katie wrote:I find it hard to imagine that someone with Martin Yan's name recognition and reputation isn't aiming higher than that.

Looking at the menu of the Santa Clara location, it does look like he's aiming a bit higher than steam table Chinese. There are quite a few good looking dishes, at least on paper. Nothing too "out there" for a middle American palate, but enough interesting stuff (it's a BIG menu), that I wouldn't feel bad about giving it a try. I'd say it's more akin to a Yu's Mandarin or a P.F. Chang's than a Panda Express. Keep us posted. I'd take a ride out there to give it a try once it opens!

I foresee proposing an LTH North Lunch Group meeting there to our Esteemed Coordinator*



*If he hasn't been overthrown by then

Elephant Thai on Devon Ave will be opening next week. They're shooting for Tuesday or Wednesday. They've already passed their City of Chicago inspection.

Andy and Gina Kalish have expanded their restaurant businesses, taking over the entire first floor of the building housing their carryout Detroit-style pizza joint, Longacre Pizza Squared, and their vegan diner, Ka’Lish. The newest venture is Longacre Dining Room, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

Maya Del Sol/Pizza Capri Owners To Open New Pilsen Restaurant Next Month

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/3/19/171 ... aleb-mayor

It looks like the new Stefani’s Prime Italian at the old Kow Kow location at Cicero & Pratt is about ready to open. The lot has been filled at night for the last week or so, evidently with friends & family diners.

stevez wrote:It looks like the new Stefani’s Prime Italian at the old Kow Kow location at Cicero & Pratt is about ready to open. The lot has been filled at night for the last week or so, evidently with friends & family diners.

Chicago’s best-known restaurateurs — is now working together with his children, Gina and Anthony Stefani. Together, along with the glue that keeps them together — Phil’s wife Karen Stefani — they’ll open Stefani Prime next week on Thursday, March 29 at 6755 N. Cicero Avenue in Lincolnwood, off the Edens Expressway.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/3/20/171 ... ng-suburbs

GNR Elephant Thai has reopened in new digs across the street from their original location.

Elephant Thai
5353 W. Devon (New Address)
Chicago, IL 60646
773-467-1168

R.I.P. Sixteen.

Sixteen, The Two Michelin Star Restaurant Inside Trump Tower, Is Closing For Reconcepting (Chicago magazine)

La Rosa Pizzeria in Vernon Hills has closed. At one time, this spot had direct lineage to the La Rosa on Dempster in Skokie. Source of the closing information - Esteemed Member of the LTHNLG - jnm123.

Dave148 wrote:La Rosa Pizzeria in Vernon Hills has closed. At one time, this spot had direct lineage to the La Rosa on Dempster in Skokie. Source of the closing information - Esteemed Member of the LTHNLG - jnm123.

I never really cared for their pizza, oh well. I bet Lincolnshire would love to tear down those tired old strip malls on Milwaukee and 22 one of which La Rosa was in and have new structures put up. Maybe this was planned by the village?

Since HPers are busy promoting zombie sauerkraut and Lincolnshire demo I have to report on some Highwood developments.
1. New American food restaurant called Greenwood has (finally) opened at NW corner of Green Bay and Rt 22 couple days ago. And it is not by the guy from Roger Williams store, but Ballaro owners from around the corner.
2. New restaurant is under construction inside now closed Highwood fire station on Green Bay.
3. New restaurant is under construction on Waukegan just north of Walker - in Highwood it is and just across from Curry Hut. My intelligence tells me it is Cluckers being relocated from the strip mall near Fort Sheridan

Lenny007 wrote:Since HPers are busy promoting zombie sauerkraut and Lincolnshire demo I have to report on some Highwood developments.
1. New American food restaurant called Greenwood has (finally) opened at NW corner of Green Bay and Rt 22 couple days ago. And it is not by the guy from Roger Williams store, but Ballaro owners from around the corner.
2. New restaurant is under construction inside now closed Highwood fire station on Green Bay.
3. New restaurant is under construction on Waukegan just north of Walker - in Highwood it is and just across from Curry Hut. My intelligence tells me it is Cluckers being relocated from the strip mall near Fort Sheridan

2. Tala Coffee Roasters

i'm sad to report that half italian deli in logan square has closed. there is paper up in the window and i heard from a store owner across the street that they closed last weekend, after a big sale and raffle. unfortunately, i showed up today to make my last purchases, not aware i was too late... i believe the rent being raised too high at lease renewal time was at least one of the reasons the store closed- again, i didnt hear it from nancy, the deli owner, but from the owner across the street. this was a terrific little store- i loved having a source for freshly made pasta and they made a terrific brussel sprout/parmesan salad, as well as delicious sandwiches. i'll miss this place.... a big FU to all greedy landlords everywhere who drive out local businesses. they didnt do much for wicker park, and i don't want to see it happening in logan square....

justjoan said

they made a terrific brussel sprout/parmesan salad

I could not agree more. It was amazing. So sad I will not able to satisfy my craving for it again.

cleanplateclub wrote:justjoan said

they made a terrific brussel sprout/parmesan salad

I could not agree more. It was amazing. So sad I will not able to satisfy my craving for it again.

I live in Logan and didn't know this place by name, though I once stopped in after an event across the street. Not that it would have likely saved it but I wish you had posted about how much you liked it before it closed (or maybe you did and I just missed it).

=R=