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News for Restaurants in Chicago
June 2017 Archive

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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

Michael Jordan's Restaurant will extend its brand to Oak Brook, bringing elevated American fare to its first suburban location on July 17. Executive chef Craig Couper, who oversees the operation on the Magnificent Mile, will deliver a menu representative of MJ's favorites, including a 23-ingredient chopped salad prepared tableside, Chilean sea bass and a pork tenderloin. The space will pay homage to the icon with the largest private collection of career-spanning photographs to date, and offer room for groups as large as 320 guests. Michael Jordan's Restaurant, 1225 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, no phone.
 
Executive chef Andrew Zimmerman and managing partner Emmanuel Nony will debut Proxi, inspired by street foods, on June 13, 2017. The restaurant will offer snacks, small plates, raw selections, entrées and large-format dishes such as Wagyu sirloin, coal-roasted oysters and raw tuna. Look for brasserie-influenced design — brass-framed mirrors, rustic planks — and remnants of the old Werner Printing Company, now Proxi's home. The modern American concept, from the same team who launched Sepia, adds to the culinary richness of Restaurant Row. Proxi, 565 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-441-1920.
 
Adding to just-opened Apogee lounge, Dana Hotel & Spa is again partnering with The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group on two food and beverage concepts to arrive mid-summer 2017: Portsmith, an upscale seafood spot; and Leviathan, a bar from Benjamin Schiller. The former will highlight dishes such as a foie donut, crispy octopus, and fried fish and waffles. Leviathan draws inspiration from the mythical sea monster, a theme that will be carried throughout with dark flavors, striking glassware and a dragon-scaled bar.
 
Chicagoans no longer have to make the trek to Lady Gregory's in Andersonville for traditional Irish fare. The beloved pub has launched an outpost on Wells Street, offering standards such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie and chicken curry to complement the full bar. Lady Gregory's, 1525 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-888-9368.
 
The Hollander welcomes H! Bar, a place for music, craft cocktails, local beer and more just a hop from Wicker Park's Six Corners. The hotel lounge officially opens on June 9 with a three-DJ session and early vinyl lineup curated by local label Closed Sessions. The cocktail menu favors classics such as the Negroni, Moscow Mule, Paloma and Old Fashioned. H! Bar, The Hollander, 2022 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 872-315-3080.
 
Sal's Trattoria, slated to open in June 2017 and from the team behind Butcher & The Burger, makes a home in West Lakeview. Chef/partner Allen Sternweiler will focus on antipasti, plus from-scratch linguine and clams, spaghetti and meatballs and pappardelle with mushrooms, artichokes, tomatoes and spinach. Entrées will include chicken saltimbocca, trout piccata, beef tenderloin and more. Finish with an olive cake, tiramisu or gelato. BYO through the end of June, while the restaurant awaits a liquor license. Sal's Trattoria, 2834 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-857-1401.
 
The District in Oakbrook Center adds DMK Restaurants' DMK Burger Bar to its haute food offerings that already include Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken and Porkchop BBQ. On the menu: 100 percent grass-fed beef burgers, veggie and turkey burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, hand-cut fries, house-made milkshakes and craft beer. DMK Burger Bar, The District in Oakbrook Center, 100 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL 60523, 630-573-0700.
 


News Bytes
Blues & Brunch at River Roast
On June 17, River Roast launched a weekend blues brunch series with live performances complementing dishes such as mascarpone french toast, rabbit and waffles and Chef's Hash. The music lineup is as follows: Sat. June 24, Dave Herrero; Sun. June 25, Mike Wheeler; Sat. July 1, Big Lew & The Powerhouse Players; Sun. July 2, Billy Flynn & Friends; Sat. July 8, Corey Dennison; Sun. July 9, Ring of Music. To kick off the weekend, the restaurant will also host an after-work live music series with the Smiley Tillmon Band on Thurs. June 29 and Dave Specter on Thurs. July 6. River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-822-0100.
 
Seven Lions Burger & Cocktail Inspired by Gauguin
Spend a day exploring Art Institute of Chicago’s "Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist" then hop over to Seven Lions for a meal inspired by the artist himself. The Gauguin Burger and Noa Noa cocktail riff off Gauguin's time in Tahiti, the former a single beef patty complemented by country pâté, pork belly, crispy plantains, grilled pineapple, and a coconut and red cabbage slaw. The drink combines dark rum, Tahitian vanilla-infused vodka and fruit served in a hurricane glass with a flower garnish. Seven Lions, 130 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603, 312-880-0130.
 
Element Collective Launches All-day Rosé Program
Element Collective has introduced an all-day rosé program at Nellcote (833 W. Randolph St., 312-432-0500), RM Champagne Salon (116 N. Green St., 312-243-1199) and Old Town Social (455 W. North Ave., 312-266-2277). The menu covers 11 new rosé wines at Nellcote and Old Town Social, and as many as 16 new varieties at RM Champagne Salon.
 

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.

mk, the flagship restaurant of DMK Restaurants, closed at the end of service on Tuesday, June 13, due to a reported dispute with the landlord. Owners Michael Kornick and David Morton still operate concepts DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar, Ada Street, Henry's, Rec Room, County BBQ (which will reopen in August following a fire) and Tavernonna, based in Kansas City. mk had an 18-year run in River North. mk, 868 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610, 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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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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