Logan Square update:

The former Winds Cafe/Las Brisas on Kedzie/Schubert was purchased by a couple of guys that are affiliated (owners/managers, not exactly sure) with the Empty Bottle. The bought the entire building, including 2nd floor space.

Look for a lower-key bar/pub for the neighborhood; possibly DJs on the weekend, but no true live music at this point.

Work has started, they pulled down the old signage, but can't see inside. The former owner gave me the scoop, I hope this is a weight lifted for his family. Noted a potential opening in January, which seems uber-fast, but I will keep on the lookout.

Also, Ciao Pizzeria, back at Logan/Kedzie (former Abril space) is moving along, but still not quite there. I peaked in again yesterday, build out is looking nice, but still a work in progress. Also looking forward to the Revolution Brewery, keeping up to date over at http://www.revbrew.com.

Talked to the owners of the new restaurant on Dundee Rd. Rt68 and Pfingston Rd. Greek Feast on the phone (their other restaurant is in Northbrook), to see when they're expecting to open. "First week of December", was the reply. Looking forward to this one...

Willkat98 wrote:Comfort Zone BBQ has closed its Oswego location and reopened right across the Fox River from the Hollywood Casino is Aurora. (opened 11/2/09)

http://comfortzonebbq.com/

I was just about to post a write up on the Oswego location after a few visits when the move began at the end of the Summer. I figure it would be best to review the newer place as it could be a whole new ball game. Its also closer, so I'll be better able to try a wider assortment.

Just looking through the menu on the website has a couple interesting things to try.

Right across the street from BailyDoyle's Irish Pub, this is part of Aurora's continued Downtown revitalization project.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a few visits in soon and have a more rounded report to give.

Comfort Zone BBQ
37 W. New York Street
Aurora IL 60506
312-897-7096

sounds & looks interesting Bill, thanks for the heads up. I may try to head in there when I am out in Aurora this upcoming Saturday.

Willkat98 wrote:Comfort Zone BBQ has closed its Oswego location and reopened right across the Fox River from the Hollywood Casino is Aurora. (opened 11/2/09)

http://comfortzonebbq.com/

I was just about to post a write up on the Oswego location after a few visits when the move began at the end of the Summer. I figure it would be best to review the newer place as it could be a whole new ball game. Its also closer, so I'll be better able to try a wider assortment.

Just looking through the menu on the website has a couple interesting things to try.

Right across the street from BailyDoyle's Irish Pub, this is part of Aurora's continued Downtown revitalization project.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a few visits in soon and have a more rounded report to give.

Comfort Zone BBQ
37 W. New York Street
Aurora IL 60506
312-897-7096

I hope he makes a go of it, a number of restaurants have opened in that block west of the Casino and not stayed in business very long. The Casino parking garage is nearby but parking is a real issue here and no place to just park quick and grab a pickup order. I worked in downtown Aurora for years and it has always been sadly lacking a good restaurant until Ballydoyle came along recently.

chicagojacobs wrote:he also mentioned they will be having the West Sides best beer list.

Interesting, and if true, dangerous for me, it could be hard to cross the street if the list is that good.

But best West side beer list? I don't know about that, Jerry's and Small Bar are both within 3/4s of a mile, and then of course the Map Room is only about twice that away. Sounds like a tall order to me.

SSDD

Devil Dawg's is due to open tomorrow at 2147 N. Sheffield in Lincoln Park. I drove by today and noticed it with a banner announcing it would be open Tuesday. They had a Red Hot Chicago banner and a fresh cut fries neon sign. I'm guessing its your normal Chicago hot dog stand fare menu wise. The logo was basically the same as the old Demon Dogs but a devil instead of a Demon. Anyone know if there's a connection? even though I know demon dogs used Vienna NC dogs, or just an old neighborhood or Depaul kid opening up another dog joint in the neighborhood?

honus wrote:New pizza spot going in where Lavandaria Moran Laundry used to be, right across from the California Blue Line stop. The laundry sign came down about two - three weeks ago.

I'd heard rumors about it a couple months back, but had no real proof. The building permits that are on the door say it's for a restaurant / bar.

Looks like it's going to be called Pizza Forte.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig& ... f&oq=&aqi=

sundevilpeg wrote:Further on the Evanston beat, there is a new Kosher resto opening on Howard St., just east of Dodge/California, across the street from Gulliver's (in an old, long-vacant Kwikee Mart). The place will be called 'Manghal'; no further info at this time.

Drove past; it looked like the place is open for business.

1805 Howard Street
(between Dewey Ave & Custer Ave)
Evanston, IL 60645

(847) 859-2681

senoritap wrote:Just called the answering machine at Flamingo's to solve the mystery. Says it will reopen as El Veneno Seafood Restaurant. Wonder if it's at all affiliated with Mariscos El Veneno (Veneno Seafood) in Ukranian Village.

Flamingo's Seafood is no more

New restaurant is El Veneno Mariscos, same as the two Chicago locations. The welcome sign is from the Estilo Nayarit Family. I hope they can live up to the high standards set by Flamingo Seafood.

Now the big question is, where is Chef Jorge Almaraz?

My wife drove by El Veneno Mariscos (formerly Flamingo's) yesterday and said they were open for business. There were people inside dining.

Start the "What do Caucasians from Scottsdale or Bortz Entertainment Group have to teach Chicagoans about Mexican food?" conversation now. Dos Diablos is (are?) throwing its (their?) hat(s?) into the exploding upscale Mexican ring in River North. Interestingly, Metromix says the restaurant is owned by Chicago's Bortz group, but Dos Diablos is (are?) an upscale Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale with virtually identical signage, and I don't think Bortz is involved in that. I'm sure grubstreet, diningdiva and their ilk will clarify soon.



dos diablos
15 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60654

Good, the line just got slightly shorter at Xoco. Also at Taco Bell.

Went to the Scottsdale Dos Diablos website and their logo is way different:

http://www.dos-diablos.com/

There's yet another resataurant by that name in Friday Harbor, WA. Appears that neither have yet to earn trademark rights beyond their locality.

Driving by Sak's Ukranian Village Restaurant during the past week, things look dark and shuttered. No answer when I called today.

Sak's
2301 W. Chicago Ave.

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but the Rosemont location of Buona Beef has opened. Looked pretty busy when I drove by tonight.

10425 W. Touhy Ave.
Phone: (847) 803-2333 | Fax: (847) 803-2400

(Not sure about that address- I don't think it's far west enough for a 5-digit street number, but that's off their website, so they have no one else to blame; google confirms it, but the post office says it doesn't exist.)

ronnie_suburban wrote:I think this restaurant was every bit as good -- and in many ways, even better -- than Fonda Del Mar, which makes me think the location was a big factor in their demise.

=R=

No doubt Flamingo's location was a factor especially when it came to the non existent weekday business. This was compounded by the restaurants small space which meant when it was weekend jammed you were crowded enough to be distracted from the food. I'm sure many Check Please first impressions were negatively effected by this. No bar waiting area further killed off any weekend walk in business, even from us loyal locals.

As a customer since his first week of business I will dearly miss Chef Jorge's cooking. In addition to the wonderful seafood his strip steaks were a bargain beauty, being in house dry aged for 21 days. I plan to contact him and will post further about where he lands.

The replacement El Veneno is a chain Mariscos operation with 5 other locations, four in Chicago and one in Doraville Georgia.

Kennyz wrote:Start the "What do Caucasians from Scottsdale or Bortz Entertainment Group have to teach Chicagoans about Mexican food?" conversation now. Dos Diablos is (are?) throwing its (their?) hat(s?) into the exploding upscale Mexican ring in River North. Interestingly, Metromix says the restaurant is owned by Chicago's Bortz group, but Dos Diablos is (are?) an upscale Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale with virtually identical signage, and I don't think Bortz is involved in that. I'm sure grubstreet, diningdiva and their ilk will clarify soon.



dos diablos
15 W. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60654

Dos Diablos in Scottsdale is not bad (especially for getting a quick table during Spring Training)- to speak in Chicago terms, it's sort of a Fuego Loco - De Cero mashup, not particularly New Mexican. The spit roasted chicken was tasty - hope it makes the menu here.

Panther in the Den wrote:At the old White Hen Pantry space on Lake St just east of Thatcher Ave.

The windows are covered in brown paper, on the awning and sign in the window announcing the coming...

Frank's Deli
7971 Lake St, River Forest

jesteinf wrote:My restaurant nemesis, Sushi X on Diversey, has closed. There is a sign in the window that says "New sushi restaurant coming soon". My expectations are low but I'd love to be surprised.

Looks like the new sushi place will be another branch of Sushi Para.

LabRat wrote:There is something going in to the space previously (and briefly) occupied by Mirch Masala at 6130 N. Ravenswood, a few doors down from Blue Nile. The paper came off the windows yesterday, but I couldn't see any sign of a sign as I drove by.

To respond to my own post... A sign is up now, the restaurant is called "Falafel Shack".

Meanwhile... New in the Carleton Hotel in Oak Park

Barclay's American Grille
1120 Pleasant St, Oak Park
(708) 848-4250

Menu

website wrote:NOW OPEN!

Featuring Classic American Cuisine "With a Twist".

Signature burgers, BBQ ribs, fresh seafood and an array of steaks and chops are prepared on our wood burning grill and served with our amazing homemade BBQ sauces and creative toppings.

We look forward to serving you!

Does this mean that Philander's has been replaced? Phone number is the same.

Panther in the Den wrote:Does this mean that Philander's has been replaced? Phone number is the same.

Yeah, the Philander's portion of the Carleton Hotel website now just gives you a "Dining at the Carleton" page which includes only Barclay's and Poor Phil's.

On a different note, the opening of the fried chicken and waffles joint at 543 Madison in Oak Park has been delayed until some time in the first quarter of 2010. It seems the space required much more extensive renovations than expected. Or at least more extensive than expected by people who haven't spent a lot of time in that building in years past

abe_froeman wrote:I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but the Rosemont location of Buona Beef has opened. Looked pretty busy when I drove by tonight.

10425 W. Touhy Ave.
Phone: (847) 803-2333 | Fax: (847) 803-2400

(Not sure about that address- I don't think it's far west enough for a 5-digit street number, but that's off their website, so they have no one else to blame; google confirms it, but the post office says it doesn't exist.)

That address is correct. I drove by it the other day. It's in the Target mall that also houses Steak & Shake, IHOP and (formerly) Krispy Creme (as well as several other flavors of fast food chain food). It's on the corner of Mannheim and Touhy.

ucjames wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:Does this mean that Philander's has been replaced? Phone number is the same.

On a different note, the opening of the fried chicken and waffles joint at 543 Madison in Oak Park has been delayed until some time in the first quarter of 2010. It seems the space required much more extensive renovations than expected. Or at least more extensive than expected by people who haven't spent a lot of time in that building in years past

But will it be open in time for dinner before Banua?

jesteinf wrote:

jesteinf wrote:My restaurant nemesis, Sushi X on Diversey, has closed. There is a sign in the window that says "New sushi restaurant coming soon". My expectations are low but I'd love to be surprised.

Looks like the new sushi place will be another branch of Sushi Para.

Sushi Para III? Oh my... I'm in trouble now I can't get enough of Sushi Para II. It's my guilty pleasure. I know that 1/2 the fish they give me isn't really what they say it is, but it's all just so good! And CHEAP!

Per Phil Vettel's "The Stew Blog" in the Tribune:

The dramatic saga that is Sprout restaurant (1417 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-348-0706) continues, but this time there's good news. The restaurant's third chef since its early-October opening is "Top Chef" runner-up (Season Three) Dale Levitski.

The restaurant reopens to the public on Friday.

"I'm here to pick up the pieces and make something good," he says. "You have no idea what kind of disaster this was."

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... prout.html


Posted at 04:17:37 PM in Chefs, Openings/Closings, Phil Vettel, Restaurants

FWIW and IMHO "Sprout" is just about the worst name I have heard for a restaurant. WTF is it supposed to convey? Brussel sprout? Alfalfa sprout? PBS TV shows for kids featuring little buggers in leafy green suits?

Call me fickle and a scrooge*, but like Browntrout, the name is enough to keep me away from the restaurant. I know - more for you. At least I won't have to wake up in the morning and tell my friends that I had a "fallen chocolate souffle" at the Browntrout.

*I'm just pissed that I forked over $500 dollars to the bankrupt (morally and literally) state of California for forgetting to pay a traffic ticket I got this summer. Humbug!

Habibi wrote:FWIW and IMHO "Sprout" is just about the worst name I have heard for a restaurant. WTF is it supposed to convey? Brussel sprout? Alfalfa sprout? PBS TV shows for kids featuring little buggers in leafy green suits?

Call me fickle and a scrooge*, but like Browntrout, the name is enough to keep me away from the restaurant. I know - more for you. At least I won't have to wake up in the morning and tell my friends that I had a "fallen chocolate souffle" at the Browntrout.

Funny, husband goes fly fishing for brown trout frequently(although he is a catch & release guy), it's just a type of trout. Sprout made me think a cool vegetarian place(like something planted is growing), alas it is not.

Bunaken Café is up at 8020 N. Lincoln in Skokie where the old Yim Siam used to be. The windows advertise Southeast Asian and Authentic Indonesian Cuisine.

The Happy Foods on Oakton will soon be a Dollar House Plus, which I believe is the same as the dollar store that is directly to the west. So now the question is, what will the old dollar store become?

Sweety Pies Bakery has been open in its new space for awhile now too (8042 Lincoln. A possible one-two punch?).

Heard a new Caputo's will be going in Bolingbrook @ Boughton & Route 53(where the Jewel used to be). Great news for me(cant beat their deli anywhere I know of), & easier to get to on the ay home from work than the S. Naperville store on Route 59.