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Dreadful website; the menu is virtually unreadable. And beware the music! The home page is confusing; it notes that the opening date is next week, 3/27, but also inscrutably states "BYOB April 30, 2012."

Hope this is just a place-holder for an upgraded site.

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Food & Flowers: Late spring at the Shakespeare Garden, Northwestern University; new views of the Fargo/Hoyne Bee & Butterfly Garden, Rogers Park, Chicago

Indie Burger, an all organic/local/green burger place, is now open in the cursed location at Belmont & Kenmore that has gone through a number of restaurants in the past few years. There were more customers in there last night than I've ever seen in any of the previous three restaurants, so perhaps this one will stick. I tried their rustic potato soup, which was okay.

Indie Burger
1034 W. Belmont Ave.
773.857.7777
indieburger.com

The Bristol recently closed for a week and did a minor remodel - cleaned up all the tables and floors (sand and refinish) installed cork ceiling (noise dampening) and acoustic panels (noise dampening). A few other things too, but that was the most impressive. It really is quieter.

Heard on the radio yesterday that Hot Chocolate is closing (not sure when) and plans to do some remodeling and reconcepting and reopen in mid-May.

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Leek
SAVING ONE DOG MAY NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT CHANGES THE WORLD FOR THAT ONE DOG.
American Brittany Rescue always needs foster homes. Please think about helping that one dog.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

Sadly, Bacio deli in Highwood will close after next week. Apparently he opened it so he could turn it over to his step-son, who has been unwilling to put in the time and effort. I will miss the Sicilian and Mafioso sandwiches.

-Will

The site now states "BYOB until May 1"

I wonder if the person who originally wrote the copy has English as a first language.

D'amato's #1 on Grand next to Bari is 'closed temporarily due to fire'.

Wholesale & pickup orders being taken across the street.

Bummer since they just did a very nice remodel.

There's a new candy/toys/games shop going in next to the Edgebrook Coffee Shop at 6324-ish N. Central.

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

Noticed a new froyo shop coming to the Arboretum of South Barrington called Bamboo Spoon.

Quick search for further info suggests that this is not a chain.

There was some earlier discussion in this thread about the availability of parking at the proposed Trader Joe's location on Chicago Avenue in Evanston and whether it would be sufficient. It now appears the deal may include two additional parcels of land to be used for a parking lot.

"Trader Joe's Deal Coming into Focus - Slowly
The deal negotiated by the City to bring a Trader Joe's to the former Blockbuster Video site, on Chicago Avenue just south of Dempster Street, was partially revealed at the March 19 City Council meeting. The plans involve three separate parcels: the Blockbuster site itself, the LA Tan building attached to the Blockbuster store just to the north, and the Northwestern-owned single-family home just to the north. The terms of the deal call for the City to purchase the northern two parcels for about $2 million to serve as the Trader Joe's parking lot.

“This is our first opportunity to talk about this publicly,” said City manager Wally Bobkiewicz. The entire transaction was negotiated by the City, Northwestern, Trader Joe's, and the project's developer, Terraco, Inc., in complete secrecy over the past several months. Under state law, public bodies such as City Council may meet in executive session to discuss matters regarding real estate, and it is apparent that this was the case with the parcels involved in the Trader Joe’s project.  

The broad outlines of the deal came into the light on March 19.  Terraco has already purchased the Blockbuster lot, said Mr. Bobkiewicz. Initially, the plan was to acquire the Shell station just south of the Blockbuster site, but the owner was not interested in selling, the City Manager said. The focus then shifted north...."
3/21/2012 5:07:00 PM

For those who are interested, more details at:
http://www.evanstonroundtable.com/main. ... cleID=5542

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"Life is a combination of magic and pasta." -- Federico Fellini

New Pret a Manger at 225 N. Michigan Avenue.

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"Baseball is like church. Many attend. Few understand." Leo Durocher

Just as a "data point," the (relatively) new Trader Joe's on Diversey is an exception, based on the one time I accessed them via car rather than foot. Their free parking garage had plenty of spaces for all.

I'd agree. I do drive there, and rarely have I had to park further than halfway down on the first level of parking (which is actually on the 2nd floor). Granted, I mainly shop during the day M-F, but the lot is still relatively empty compared with the N. Lincoln store. Given the density of the neighborhood near Clark/Broadway/Diversey, I suspect a lot of customers walk here.

The Elmhurst location of Serene Teaz has closed. The Wheaton (221 Front St) store is still open. I think they closed last week but don't know what happened.

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"The only thing I have to eat is Yoo-hoo and Cocoa puffs so if you want anything else, you have to bring it with you."

A lot of interesting activity in Lakeview along Broadway, though I don't think any of these places have opened yet.

This week brought news about Dryhop Bistro & Microbrewery at 3155 N. Broadway, with a slated fall opening.

Dale Levitski is opening Frog n Snail in the former Sura space at 3124 N. Broadway. (Apparently opening soon.)

As previously mentioned, Nhu Lan is soon to open (if it hasn't already) in the former Cloud 9 space at 609 W. Belmont.

Brazilian Bowl is opening soon (if it hasn't already) in the former Paradise Empanada space (next to Falafill) at 3204 N. Broadway.

El Mariachi, which currently has locations at 3420 N. Broadway and 3906 N. Broadway seems to be opening a new spot in the long-vacant Triangle Camera at 3445 N. Broadway. No idea if this replaces their 3420 N. Broadway location or is a new concept. I drove past yesterday & saw a gaggle of construction workers seeming contemplating how to bring a commercial-sized double oven into the space though an open window.

According to someone at Wedeal.com, Bacio is not closing (I called because I had a couple of unused coupons). Hope it's staying open. Love their sausage and breaded eggplant. They make a good beef, too.

Salt & Pepper Diner on Lincoln near Sheffield and Wrightwood has apparently closed. Haven't been there in years, but back in the day it was a great diner option and priced right. Sure it was a little kitschy, but I really loved the food.

HI,

I was there on Monday. The owner was especially grumpy after he learned I already knew he was closing.

He is looking for someone to buy it, though he may close before one is found.

When they reopened, my heart flew. I went the first time to find good meat with a lousy roll. I made a comment to the owner who shrugged. I went back a few months later to a much improved roll. I made a point of complimenting the roll. He finally commented he was not happy with the rolls initially, too.

At the prior Bacio location, his daughter and her Polish husband actively ran the place. When they closed suddenly, they hoped to relocate very soon. This took more than two years and frankly my hopes faded this would ever happen. I am sure the daughter and her husband moved onto other efforts, if they were still active there would be no worries for the future.

I wonder if this is all related to whatever his lease agreement may be. Stay for a year to see how it goes, but beyond that you are locked into a longer period of time. He's old enough this may not be attractive. Yes, I know, I am speculating.

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Oh no! I hope the "apparently" is wrong. I can't say I patronized the place all that much, but it wasn't because I didn't like the food. I did. And more than that, I just liked seeing the cheery place as I walked or drove by. But I guess you can't feed your family on happy people walking and driving past you.

Drove by yesterday and they were still closed.

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"Make Lunch, Not War" ~ Anon

I went there once on the whim a couple of years ago with my husband because we happened to be in the neighborhood. I actually thought it was pretty good and reasonable. Unfortunately, we never got a chance to go back.

A new sandwich cafe opened in a tough spot on Davis Street, in Evanston, across from the Post Office in the block east of Ridge. Delbe's Corner serves steamed sandwiches and is open for breakfast and lunch. Read all about it in The Daily Northwestern.

Delbe's Corner
1100 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 424-1006

Hi,

Bacio's is closing on Sunday.

The owner also owns a grocery store on the Indiana-Illinois border, which is where he needs to spend his time. While it is true his step-son is not interested in running the place. It would continue operating if he had a reliable manager-cook, which would replace his presence. The cooking is related to making soups from scratch, meatballs, sauce and related items for the food counter. He has a reliable guy who makes the sandwiches.

Absent of such a person (and maybe it is too late, but maybe not) or a buyer, it will close on Sunday.

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Father & Son Italian Kitchen is now open:
9735 N. Skokie Blvd.
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 933-9100
http://www.fatherandson.com/

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

Saw this via Facebook: Riverview Tavern Changing Hands
http://www.roscoeviewjournal.com/news/riverview-tavern-changing-hands

Went in today to use one of two remaining Wedeals. Great lunch with the family (eggplant parm sandwich, sausage sandwich, meatball sub, chicken parm, wedding soup). We'll miss it. At least Maria's is back open. My wife went twice last week and Maria was there. The items she brought home were pretty darn tasty.

The somewhat cursed spot on Lake Ave just east of Milwaukee in Glenview (most recently Gulliver's) has a coming soon sign: North Branch Pizza and Sandwiches

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What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang

Went to Silk Mandarin in Vernon Hills for the lunch buffet today and found out they are getting ready to close. Lydia thinks she will being closing between two weeks and a month from now. She is looking forward to her retirement.

Garden Fresh Market has closed its Arlington Heights store. Also in the signs-of-doom department, they had a Groupon recently. Stores still exist in Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Mundelein, Naperville and Round Lake Beach.

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LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

Cathy,Do you know happen to know the name of the grocery store?