News for Restaurants in Chicago February 2019 Archive Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive Read about the openings, closings, chef shuffle, and special events in Chicago here. Gayot's Restaurant News has the information you want on the local restaurants in Chicago.   CHICAGO RESTAURANT NEWS Openings The prominent Wicker Park space that once held Taus Authentic and Prasino before that has a new occupant: Machine, from Brian Galati and Chireal Jordan. The team hired Trevor Hoyte to concept a Modern American menu influenced by global flavors and featuring local ingredients (think osso buco, walleye and more). Cocktails get a fanciful spin from The Violet Hour alum Aneka Saxon. And how's this for a romantic touch? Diners will be able to order flowers tableside. The restaurant has its own in-house flower shop. Machine, 1846 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622, 312-546-3378.   The budget hotel once known as Essex Inn gets an elegant revamp come April, when Hotel Essex, its $75 million replacement, makes a play for high-end travelers on Michigan Avenue. With that comes SX Sky Bar, a bi-level nightlife destination where guests will nibble on elevated small plates and sip on craft cocktails. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the city in, even though there'll be plenty of eye candy inside, from black and white geometric designs to a grand staircase winding up to a dance floor. Essex will also be home to LM Restaurant Group's Grant Park Bistro, a 40-seat restaurant specializing in French fare. SX Sky Bar & Grant Park Bistro, 808 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605, no phone.   Bottleneck Management expands its restaurant/bar empire with its eighth outpost of City Works, which opens on February 25. The Schaumburg taphouse will boast more than 90 beers, including rotating handles for rare, limited and seasonal brews. Unique to the space are eight wines on tap, which effectively equals no waste thanks to no oxidation and no corkage. Daily lunch and dinner plus weekend brunch will offer American bites, from smoked chicken wings to burgers to short rib hash. City Works, 1850 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173, 847-584-2500.   One of the Gold Coast's most beloved and romantic restaurants ushers in a new era on Oak Street. Starting March 1, the French-Vietnamese boîte Le Colonial plants roots at 57 E. Oak Street, a ritzy strip dotted with high-end boutiques (Above Le Colonial? None other than Chanel and Van Cleef & Arpels.) Le Colonial had a 22-year run on Rush Street, only 150 steps from the new location. Executive chef/partner Quoc Luong will refresh the menu with seafood and meat dishes enhanced both in flavor and presentation. Look for more than 200 global wine selections, including Le Colonial 2017 AOC Côtes de Provence Rosé created exclusively for Le Colonial by French producer La Cave du Lac. Le Colonial, 57 E. Oak St., Chicago, IL 60611, no phone.   Newcomer cocktail bar Kumiko serves up Japanese flair in the West Loop, thanks to the duo behind Oriole. Opened in December 2018, the concept is led by Julia Momose and husband-and-wife team Noah and Cara Sandoval. Guests sip on custom cocktails and spiritfrees, with the option of a five-course omakase menu for $130 per person. À la carte dishes channel Momose's native Japan, including Capital Oysters served warm in kombu butter with kumquat and nasturtium; Cardinal Prawn Tempura with prawn head mayonnaise and yuzu; and Japanese Milk Toast with fermented honey ice cream. Dinner nightly. Kumiko, 630 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-285-2912.   News Bytes New Home for Entente Entente will soon have a new home. Come this spring, the upscale modern American restaurant will move from its Lakeview location to 700 N. Sedgwick in River North. The new site will allow the team – Ty Fujimura of Fujimura Hospitality and executive chef Brian Fisher – to leverage a larger kitchen and front-of-the-house area. The original location will be transformed into an event space where locals can experience new chefs and new cuisines from around the city. Entente, 3056 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 872-206-8553.   Artango Celebrates Carnaval March 5 Artango Bar & Steakhouse fêtes Carnaval on Fat Tuesday, March 5, with $7 caipirinhas from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and free tango lessons starting at 7:30 p.m. Chef Saul Roman will fire up moqueca, a traditional Brazilian seafood stew, for $25. Guests will also be able to order from the regular menu. For reservations, visit the restaurant website or call 872-208-7441. Artango Bar & Steakhouse, 4767 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 872-208-7441.   Barbecue Thursday at Avli Taverna Avli Taverna's Tsiknopempti feast, otherwise known as Barbecue Thursday, happens on February 28. The tradition celebrates the Thursday of Kreatini, when Greeks imbibe large amounts of meat before fasting for Easter. Savor dishes such as Greek sausage, ouzo and cumin chicken skewers, lollipop lamb chops and gourounopoulo (rotisserie pork). Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Cost is $60 per person; register here. Avli Taverna, 1335 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-857-5577.   Chef Shuffle Check back soon for more news. Closings CLOSED FOR GOOD Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Chicago to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. The Dining Room, R.I.P. Lincoln Park's White Oak Tavern & Inn has closed. The restaurant served American cuisine utilizing the output of local farms. White Oak Tavern & Inn, 1200 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, no phone.   CULINARY EVENTS Want to learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area. View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Chicago

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