It looks like the next few months will witness some big restaurant openings; here are several.
Boka’s Triple Threat The Boka Restaurant Group has brought to Chicago several internationally acclaimed restaurants, and soon they will be opening another three very promising restaurants in the old Southport Lanes building. This will not be a food court, but rather a collection of three distinct dining establishments. The first of the three restaurants to operate in this historic space is GG’s Chicken Shop headed up by Lee Wolen; in mid-August, the Boka Group announced that the other two restaurants to be added will be Itoko, with Gene Kato of Momotaro, and Stephanie Izard’s Little Goat Diner. 3325 North Southport.
Make That a Quadruple Threat Moving out of the COVID doldrums, Boka Restaurant Group is working fast to regain its position of dominance in the Chicago restaurant community. In the months to come, get ready for Le Select. In the space formerly occupied by Bottled Blonde, Le Select will be headed up by local Daniel Rose, whose scored Michelin wins in France and New York. Le Select will be a bistro, a place for casual French-inspired dining, which (with Boka’s unerring sense of what the public wants) will leverage both the revival of interest in French cuisine and the dining public’s growing preference for simpler, relaxed, yet still undeniably high-quality dining. 504 North Wells
Big Star Mariscos It’s been only thirteen years since Big Star’s bourbon/beer/taco joint opened in Wicker Park, and it’s become an undeniably durable fixture on the Chicago dining landscape. Big Star Mariscos is the next step for this iconic brand, and it opens in West Town this fall. Coastal seafood will be the focus of this latest venture for Donnie Madia, Paul Kahan, and the rest of the One Off Hospitality team, and as at the original Big Star, you can expect solid chow and drinks, awesome tunes and an open-air patio. 551 North Ogden
Dining and Drinking Editor for Newcity, David also writes a weekly food column for Wednesday Journal in Oak Park and is a frequent contributor of food/drink and travel pieces to the Chicago Tribune, Plate Magazine and other publications. David has also contributed chapters to several books, including Street Food Around the World, Street Food, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. Contact: dhammond@newcity.com
Can’t-Miss Dining & Drinking Events (Fall Arts Preview 2021) Undoubtedly, there has rarely been a time in U.S. history when it was more challenging to open a restaurant. Still, the wheels are in motion to open the doors on three very promising Chicago restaurants before the end of the year.
After Blackbird: Restaurateur Donnie Madia says “We Are In a Different World” (Fall Arts Preview 2021) Donny Madia of One Off Hospitality Group and I met in the dining room of avec River North. I wanted to hear what transformations—aside from closures—have been wrought upon One Off Hospitality by the recent health catastrophe. Throughout this conversation, common themes emerged around the communication and newfound sense of community spirit that has been established.
Dining and Drinking Top 5: May 2022 The weather is encouraging us to go out and have fun, even with the enduring specter of the plague hanging over our heads. To be on the safe side, check websites for these events.
Dining & Drinking Top 5: July 2022 Because summer’s here and the time is right for festing in the streets, this July there are a lot of food and music parties happening in Chicago neighborhoods and parks. Get outside and play. Go on!
Dining and Drinking Top 5: August 2022 Food and drink events are coming on strong in August. Is this the last big blowout month before the invasion of Monkey Pox? Could be. So just to be on the safe side, go outside and have a good time while you can.
