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  • Openings and Closings, Comings and Goings

    Post #1 - May 13th, 2007, 9:33 am
    Post #1 - May 13th, 2007, 9:33 am Post #1 - May 13th, 2007, 9:33 am
    In the vein of the LinkTH thread, I thought it might be good to have a place to put quick notes about places that are opening or closing but about which there's not necessarily reason to start a whole thread yet.

    To begin, yesterday in Evanston I saw a "Now Hiring" sign in the window of the location formerly housing Narra. It will be "Blu Sushi Lounge". Evanston is really hot on this upscale sushi thing these days, with the recent openings of Kansaku and Ninefish. And this place is only a few blocks from Kansaku.

    They have a website but it doesn't say anything yet.

    Blu Sushi
    1710 Orrington
    Evanston, IL
    Joe G.

    "Whatever may be wrong with the world, at least it has some good things to eat." -- Cowboy Jack Clement
  • Post #2 - May 13th, 2007, 10:01 am
    Post #2 - May 13th, 2007, 10:01 am Post #2 - May 13th, 2007, 10:01 am
    germuska wrote:And this place is only a few blocks from Kansaku.

    And kitty-corner to Sashimi Sashimi....
  • Post #3 - May 13th, 2007, 10:12 am
    Post #3 - May 13th, 2007, 10:12 am Post #3 - May 13th, 2007, 10:12 am
    cilantro wrote:And kitty-corner to Sashimi Sashimi....

    ...and a block away from Koi.
  • Post #4 - May 13th, 2007, 12:07 pm
    Post #4 - May 13th, 2007, 12:07 pm Post #4 - May 13th, 2007, 12:07 pm
    The spot formerly occupied by the O Lounge at Broadway and Diversey is being gutted and has permits in the window for a business to be named "Noodles". Hope springs eternal for a great noodle shop in the hood.
  • Post #5 - May 13th, 2007, 12:30 pm
    Post #5 - May 13th, 2007, 12:30 pm Post #5 - May 13th, 2007, 12:30 pm
    Lots of activity in Pilsen:

    The Colombian restaurant, Sabor Latino, has closed. New signs announce Pilsen Cafe, already open.

    Pollo Express (or something like that) had its grand opening on Thursday in the old Mi Barrio spot. Lots of smoke coming from their chimney on Thursday, a good sign.

    The sign for Carnitas Tariacuri has come down. There's a new sign in the window reading Los Jarochos, and another promising Carnitas estilo Uruapan, so I guess it's still a carnitas specialist.

    Perez restaurant has been open for a month or so, has anyone been? Or know if it's related to the Perez restaurant on Randolph?

    As I reported in the ice cream thread, Dave's Ice Cream has been revived. On Thursday it looked like they were doing a booming business with the hot temperatures.

    **********
    Baba Palace has a big sign up (inside) announcing that they will open a second location soon, in sha'allaah, at 310 S. Canal St.
  • Post #6 - May 13th, 2007, 12:49 pm
    Post #6 - May 13th, 2007, 12:49 pm Post #6 - May 13th, 2007, 12:49 pm
    germuska wrote:Evanston is really hot on this upscale sushi thing these days

    Ah, Evanston - where the chefs who really can cook, don't...

    PS. Has somebody mentioned that Bombay Kebab House and African Harambee on Howard have finally opened? (if so, sorry to be redundant) Think I'll take Sparky for my Mother's Day dinner...
  • Post #7 - May 13th, 2007, 1:13 pm
    Post #7 - May 13th, 2007, 1:13 pm Post #7 - May 13th, 2007, 1:13 pm
    We had lunch from Bombay Kebab House yesterday. Too small a sample to give a big review, but I will say that I doubt it will replace your favorite place on Devon, but it is pretty decent and it delivers and it's close to my house and there is parking. So go and support it so it can stay open!! Samosas were very good (excellent mint and tamarind chutneys!). Especially notable was Tandoori Vegetables, which consisted of large chunks of cauliflower, broccoli, potato, tomato, and onion, with a bit of curry sauce (my husband claims it was called Tandoori Vegetables on the menu, but it was not the familiar red, and it did have sauce... husband did not make it home with a menu, for which he was soundly scolded... but that does give us an excuse to go back very soon.) Nan a bit more buttery than usual. Vindaloo nice and spicy. Will buy biryani on the next visit.
  • Post #8 - May 13th, 2007, 2:21 pm
    Post #8 - May 13th, 2007, 2:21 pm Post #8 - May 13th, 2007, 2:21 pm
    Mhays wrote:PS. Has somebody mentioned that Bombay Kebab House and African Harambee on Howard have finally opened?

    Wow, it's about time! I think it's been over a year, maybe even two, that they've had that "opening soon" sign in the window.

    Thai Peppers, which used to be at that location, used to turn out some pretty good Thai food. No, not the very best or most creative, but it was decent, and what they had going for them was outstanding value in their all-you-can-eat buffet, at both lunch and dinner.

    I hope Bombay Kebab House (I'm not positive, but it may be spelled Kabob on their sign) has a good value buffet. Most Indian places do, at least at lunchtime. (There are plenty of good lunch buffets on Devon as well as at Mt. Everest in downtown Evanston.)

    Thanks for the heads-up...
  • Post #9 - May 13th, 2007, 2:53 pm
    Post #9 - May 13th, 2007, 2:53 pm Post #9 - May 13th, 2007, 2:53 pm
    Mhays wrote:
    germuska wrote:Evanston is really hot on this upscale sushi thing these days

    Ah, Evanston - where the chefs who really can cook, don't...

    PS. Has somebody mentioned that Bombay Kebab House and African Harambee on Howard have finally opened? (if so, sorry to be redundant) Think I'll take Sparky for my Mother's Day dinner...


    Ah, i thought about posting here when I got back from seeing it, but figured since I'd started that other thread, I'd put it there -- but it's just the kind of thing that may not deserve it's own thread that made me think of starting this one earlier today...

    Re: Evanston Sushi spots, it's true that Blu is right across from Sashimi Sashimi, but they don't look like they'll really be in competition -- Koi perhaps more so, although I have never heard much about people going there for sushi. I know it's on their menu though.

    Are you sure African Harambee has opened? Amphora, it's co-tenant of the building, is listed in this week's openings in TOC and looks more like it's happening,but there are still "coming soon" signs in the windows at African Harambee.
    Joe G.

    "Whatever may be wrong with the world, at least it has some good things to eat." -- Cowboy Jack Clement
  • Post #10 - May 13th, 2007, 3:54 pm
    Post #10 - May 13th, 2007, 3:54 pm Post #10 - May 13th, 2007, 3:54 pm
    germuska wrote:Re: Evanston Sushi spots, it's true that Blu is right across from Sashimi Sashimi, but they don't look like they'll really be in competition -- Koi perhaps more so, although I have never heard much about people going there for sushi. I know it's on their menu though.

    It's also worth noting that many new sushi restaurants are opening all over the Chicago area (and throughout the country), and sometimes in close proximity to each other. There's nothing unique about Evanston in that regard.
  • Post #11 - May 13th, 2007, 4:07 pm
    Post #11 - May 13th, 2007, 4:07 pm Post #11 - May 13th, 2007, 4:07 pm
    Sushi attrition seems to have nabbed Pacific Cafe in Wicker Park. There's a Mexican joint going in the space now.
  • Post #12 - May 13th, 2007, 4:19 pm
    Post #12 - May 13th, 2007, 4:19 pm Post #12 - May 13th, 2007, 4:19 pm
    Yep, "Caoba Mexican Bar and Grill". I work above it (well, next door), and I'm not too optimistic.

    They've missed their opening date estimate a couple times now. I'm not sure if they've opened yet.

    Good riddance to pacific cafe, btw. Really awful.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #13 - May 13th, 2007, 4:30 pm
    Post #13 - May 13th, 2007, 4:30 pm Post #13 - May 13th, 2007, 4:30 pm
    So sorry - I thought I'd seen somewhere that it (Harambee) was scheduled to open May 12, but now I can't verify that - I'll check next time I drive by...

    BTW - are the weekend carnitas advertised at Rogers Park Fruit Market new? Has anybody tried them?
  • Post #14 - May 13th, 2007, 5:02 pm
    Post #14 - May 13th, 2007, 5:02 pm Post #14 - May 13th, 2007, 5:02 pm
    nsxtasy wrote:
    germuska wrote:Re: Evanston Sushi spots, it's true that Blu is right across from Sashimi Sashimi, but they don't look like they'll really be in competition -- Koi perhaps more so, although I have never heard much about people going there for sushi. I know it's on their menu though.

    It's also worth noting that many new sushi restaurants are opening all over the Chicago area (and throughout the country), and sometimes in close proximity to each other. There's nothing unique about Evanston in that regard.


    My point is that there are different kinds of sushi spots, and that three new ones in Evanston would all be of the upscale variety... I am not sure that I thought Evanston had the right demographic to support that, but we shall see.

    Actually, furthering this topic, Evanston did recently lose Sushi Arigato, although I'm afraid to say that based on one experience, "lost" might not be the term. (It was distinctly not the upscale type of sushi spot.) What looks like a modest independent Mexican place is going in that location, and is probably pretty close to opening, although I haven't seen it in a couple of weeks.

    (mexican place whose name I can't recall)
    822 Clark St
    Evanston, IL
    Joe G.

    "Whatever may be wrong with the world, at least it has some good things to eat." -- Cowboy Jack Clement
  • Post #15 - May 14th, 2007, 8:55 pm
    Post #15 - May 14th, 2007, 8:55 pm Post #15 - May 14th, 2007, 8:55 pm
    Also coming to the Square: Chicago Ale House at Leavitt and Lawrence.

    Metromix says it's being run by the powers in charge of Cy's Crabhouse/Chophouse, and "60 beers from around the world" won't dent the menu at Quenchers, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they've got to offer.

    Metromix page.
    Writing about craft beer at GuysDrinkingBeer.com
    "You don't realize it, but we're at dinner right now." ~Ebert
  • Post #16 - May 14th, 2007, 9:18 pm
    Post #16 - May 14th, 2007, 9:18 pm Post #16 - May 14th, 2007, 9:18 pm
    There's another new place not yet openned a few doors east of the old Uno di Martino space on Lawrence. It's called Lava Cafe and the food is supposed to be Middle Eastern. I've only seen it from the bus so it's hard to say how close it is to opening.

    Jamie
  • Post #17 - May 15th, 2007, 12:56 am
    Post #17 - May 15th, 2007, 12:56 am Post #17 - May 15th, 2007, 12:56 am
    that would be be blu coral
  • Post #18 - May 15th, 2007, 9:25 am
    Post #18 - May 15th, 2007, 9:25 am Post #18 - May 15th, 2007, 9:25 am
    More Lincoln Square (well, technically North Center) news: Although the "for sale" sign is still up, there's a public notice in the old Charlie's on Leavitt (Lincoln/Montrose/Leavitt intersection) window marking a zoning change request on the building. The notice reads that they are looking to change the zoning to allow for "an upscale tavern with food service."

    I'm disappointed that we're getting yet another bar in the area. This location is next door to Bowman's and within a 10 minute walk of Jury's, Gannon's, Wild Goose, Feed the Beast, Bad Dog and The Daily Bar & Grill. Personally, I was hoping more for a mid-priced restaurant to go into that location.
  • Post #19 - May 15th, 2007, 9:31 am
    Post #19 - May 15th, 2007, 9:31 am Post #19 - May 15th, 2007, 9:31 am
    X/O has closed... it's apparently moving downtown possibly.

    the owners (who also own hydrate and a number of other bars in LP and elsewhere) are opening a less upscale bar+grill in the same spot. they were apparently aggressively working to get it opened by mother's day... not sure if that. i was by saturday night and there was brown paper up on the windows and the lights inside were on, and there was a dumpster in front. so i'm guessing it didn't open quite in the timeframe they tried for.
  • Post #20 - May 15th, 2007, 11:22 am
    Post #20 - May 15th, 2007, 11:22 am Post #20 - May 15th, 2007, 11:22 am
    Within walking distance of my abode, on the north side of Lawrence, just west of Harlem is a modest street side strip that currently serves: Phillipino, Polish, Chinese, Italian (3 places), and Mexican food -- all fairly mediocre (I may finish that post someday). A sign on one of the windows that used to house a useless $1 store (not that all of them are useless) is a sign that reads "Japanese Restaurant coming soon." My hopes are not high, but my wishes are mighty.

    -ramon
  • Post #21 - May 15th, 2007, 11:26 am
    Post #21 - May 15th, 2007, 11:26 am Post #21 - May 15th, 2007, 11:26 am
    Ramon wrote:A sign on one of the windows that used to house a useless $1 store (not that all of them are useless) is a sign that reads "Japanese Restaurant coming soon." My hopes are not high, but my wishes are mighty.


    A crappy Japanese restaurant is still better than a dollar store. ;)

    Best,
    Michael
  • Post #22 - May 15th, 2007, 1:17 pm
    Post #22 - May 15th, 2007, 1:17 pm Post #22 - May 15th, 2007, 1:17 pm
    Anyone know what's up with the alleged Pollo Campero that was going in at the NW corner of Lawrence & Pulaski? I can't see the "Coming Soon" sign anymore, & it certainly didn't look open or finished..
  • Post #23 - May 15th, 2007, 4:57 pm
    Post #23 - May 15th, 2007, 4:57 pm Post #23 - May 15th, 2007, 4:57 pm
    Amata wrote: Perez restaurant has been open for a month or so, has anyone been? Or know if it's related to the Perez restaurant on Randolph?


    Same Perez and, as far as I can tell, same menu. I've heared they have live music and dancing some nights, but I haven't been, myself.
  • Post #24 - May 16th, 2007, 4:21 pm
    Post #24 - May 16th, 2007, 4:21 pm Post #24 - May 16th, 2007, 4:21 pm
    Ritter Breakfast Delivery on Clark has (thankfully) closed.
  • Post #25 - May 19th, 2007, 9:28 pm
    Post #25 - May 19th, 2007, 9:28 pm Post #25 - May 19th, 2007, 9:28 pm
    It looks like there is something going in at Montrose and Artesian, just a block west of Western across from the Aldi. There used to be a sports bar there but it's been closed for 4 -5 years. I'm not sure what it's going to be but it looks like a tavern/restaurant sort of place.
  • Post #26 - May 19th, 2007, 10:04 pm
    Post #26 - May 19th, 2007, 10:04 pm Post #26 - May 19th, 2007, 10:04 pm
    Rumor has it that the Charlie's on Leavitt spot is going to be the new home of the Tiny Lounge which closed down about a year ago because the CTA was expanding the addison brown line station that it was next to. Although Lincoln Square really doesn't need another bar, I sorely miss their martini's. Hope the rumor turns out to be true.
  • Post #27 - May 20th, 2007, 10:49 pm
    Post #27 - May 20th, 2007, 10:49 pm Post #27 - May 20th, 2007, 10:49 pm
    Caoba has been busy trying to get this site up and running. The place was awful after taking over Pacific Cafe. The owners had a party for family and friends two weeks ago and some things did not go right. So they put back the opening till they got the kinks out. Happy to say it will be open this weekend.
    Enjoy! (':D')
    Very Happy
    gleam wrote:Yep, "Caoba Mexican Bar and Grill". I work above it (well, next door), and I'm not too optimistic.

    They've missed their opening date estimate a couple times now. I'm not sure if they've opened yet.

    Good riddance to pacific cafe, btw. Really awful.
    :D
  • Post #28 - May 21st, 2007, 10:58 am
    Post #28 - May 21st, 2007, 10:58 am Post #28 - May 21st, 2007, 10:58 am
    On California just south of Augusta in Humboldt Park, there has been a sign up for a new place called "Cosmos Politan - an Eating Experience". They've been working on it for about a month now, but I haven't heard anything about an opening date.
  • Post #29 - May 21st, 2007, 11:11 am
    Post #29 - May 21st, 2007, 11:11 am Post #29 - May 21st, 2007, 11:11 am
    i've seen that they're putting in a new pizza place of some sort on Division, right around Leavitt.

    there have been window coverings with some writing that seems to indicate their focus will be healthy, natural pizza of some sort... "monoglu dioxide, blah blah... If you can't pronounce it, it's not in our pizza" ...

    As of last week, there's now a big sign up "CRUST" apparently it's called.

    anyone got any info on it?
  • Post #30 - May 21st, 2007, 11:39 am
    Post #30 - May 21st, 2007, 11:39 am Post #30 - May 21st, 2007, 11:39 am
    dddane wrote:As of last week, there's now a big sign up "CRUST" apparently it's called.

    anyone got any info on it?


    I believe this is the natural pizza concept from Michael Altenberg (of Bistro Campagne fame).

    Best,
    Michael

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