Tavern on Rush stood as one of the eternals on the Viagra Triangle, serving big steaks and icy martinis to a mixed crowd of locals and tourists. For twenty-five years, the place was a swank institution in Chicago’s premier party zone; then it closed when the owners of the building decided to start their own restaurant, the Bellevue. Now, Phil Stefani says he plans to move the whole Tavern operation across the street to the location of soon-to-close Nico Osteria on the ground floor of the Thompson Hotel. And so, the party goes on. 21 East Bellevue
Feld restaurant in Ukie Village isn’t open yet (but it will be before 2023 is over), and it doesn’t have a website yet, but owner-chef Jacob Potashnick has a dream to create a restaurant that bucks current trends. Says Potashnick, “The thing I don’t like about fine dining is the seasonal system.” Though he plans to source much produce from the Midwest, he has no intention of limiting himself to what’s seasonably available: whenever and wherever it comes from, his goal is simply to make it wonderful and unique. 2018 West Chicago
Desert Hawk got its start as a taco and burger pop-up, but with the help of L.A.’s Goat Group, it’s moving into the brick-and-mortar space previously occupied by Pub Royale. The ninety-one-seat space is long, and the exposed brick wall seems to be just asking for an attractive mural; that ask is answered by Chicago artist Tracy Danet, whose Western-influenced mural of Joshua trees creates just the right vibe for this taco operation. 2049 West Division
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
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