2557 W. Lawrence Ave.

The owners of The Green Post and The Northman are teaming up with Backlot Coffee to bring an artisan market and cafe to the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Rockwell Street.

The market will carry small-batch items from local vendors like Katherine Anne Confections, and Pretty Cool Ice Cream and a curated cheese selection from Chicago cheesemonger Alisha Norris, as well as beer, wine and spirits.

Fresh flowers and boutique glassware will also be available.

Focusing on unique, artisanal items that are locally sourced allows the market to be responsive to customers’ needs, co-owner Darby Putman said.

Once open, the cafe will feature soups, salads and sandwiches alongside coffee from Backlot, donuts from Doughnut Vault and teas, spices and other rarities from Rare Tea Cellar, Putman said.

4756 N. Rockwell St.

The Eco Flamingo opened in 2020, offering ethically sourced products in 100-percent compostable or recyclable packaging, or in no packaging. Since then, owners Bethany Barbouti, Mia McCullough and Alexis Chavez have evolved the business model to include workshops and events.

With soon-to-open The Eco Cafe, the owners want to bring their sustainable ethos to a family-friendly, coffee shop setting, Barbouti said.

The cafe won’t have compostable coffee cups; instead, customers are encouraged to bring their own cup or sign up for Forever Ware, similar to a few other coffee shops in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood.
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The “eclectic” menu — an “American, Mexican, Arabian fusion menu,” Barbouti said — will include vegan-friendly options like empanadas and tamales and locally roasted, freshly ground coffee from vendors including Backlot Coffee, Taste of India Coffee and Back of the Yards Coffee.

The cafe will also have nitro cold brew, as well as locally brewed kombucha on tap, the owners said.

“We’re also going to have glass bottle sodas from Filbert’s. Everything in the cafe is sustainable,” Barbouti said.

That includes some of the artwork in the cafe featuring upcycled burlap coffee sacks converted into a canvas and repurposed tiles decorated by local artists, she said.

4771 N. Lincoln Ave.

Chef Guillermo Paolisso is bringing his take on Roman-style pizza to the heart of Lincoln Square, taking over the former Subway location at the corner of Lincoln and Lawrence avenues.

“I grew up in Italy and have been perfecting pizza, dough and fermentation techniques for years. I have been wanting to branch out and open my own space, specifically focused on Roman-style pizza al taglio,” said Paolisso.

Paolisso’s dough goes through an extended fermentation process that allows for an airy, crisp and fluffy crust, he said.

“This has the culture of Italy wrapped up inside of it with fresh ingredients,” Paolisso said. “It’s nostalgic, and brings me memories of my childhood.”

Paolisso was previously executive chef at Artango Bar & Steakhouse, 4767 N. Lincoln Ave. When Capriccio opens, it’ll offer an all-day coffee experience featuring La Colombe beans.

The restaurant will also have salads, focaccia sandwiches, croissants and other bakery items, Paolisso said.

Milk Bar Chicago, 200 N. Green Street inside the Hoxton, opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 8.

Galaxy Hot Pot & Grill, 1417 Ellinwood St. on the ground floor of the Welkin Apartments building, could open as soon as next week in downtown Des Plaines.

jacketpotato wrote:Don Pedro has closed and a new restaurant opened. I didn't get a chance to stop by and look around, but believe it's called Pupuseria El Central Americana? There is brand new signage, but much of the furniture looks the same. Not sure of what region or country the owners hail from, but looking forward to trying it.

4064 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

HT70 wrote:but I can't shake the feeling that trying to do so many types of cuisine, even if related, often ends with the "jack of all trades, master of none". I hope I'm mistaken.

spinynorman99 wrote:I walk by Curry Blah Blah on my way to the weird/not bad Cumin Club in the nearly-abandoned food hall at Wacker/Wells. Never see any customers at Blah Blah.

Sikia, Englewood’s Only Fine-Dining Restaurant, Will Reopen Thursday After 5 Years

A South Side bistro will open a new location this summer at Rainbow Beach, featuring a lakefront deck and bar.

Norman’s Bistro, which opened in North Kenwood in 2010, is opening Norman’s on the Lake at the Rainbow Beach house, 3111 E. 77th St. in South Shore.

Zeymart, the Turkish grocer that opened at 1828 Dempster St. in May 2024, closed in January. The previously announced Zey Zey Grill will not be opening. The Arlington Heights flagship store remains open

Birdman Ramen will fill the empty Furious Spoon space at Halsted and Belmont in Lakeview offering the same poultry-based broths served at the downtown location.

Brick & Mortar will take over Burger Bar Chicago’s former space at 1578 N. Clybourn Avenue this summer