Summer is typically a slower time of year for restaurant openings, but there are a few notable projects in the Chicago area worth getting excited about. Two brewpubs, one owned by a group of independent industry members and one owned by Diageo – one of the world’s largest alcohol companies – are the focus of this summer’s new offerings. There are also two bars with distinctive atmospheres that serve different versions of Indian dishes. Finally, a group known for Mexican food tries something new: an Italian restaurant takes over the famous River North bar Rockit. As a tribute to the fallen, we tip our fedoras. Without further ado, here are Chicago’s most anticipated restaurant openings of the summer.
Listed alphabetically.
Clumsy Cow BBQ & Industry Ales Brewpub
The team smokes their baby back ribs for about five hours. Awkward Cow BBQ
address: 230 S. Wabash Avenue, The Loop
key figures: Alexander Willis, Dan Rook, Zack Blazek, and Matt Wiegers
Ambitious trio Dan Rook, Zack Blazek and Matt Wiegers are looking to seriously shake up the Loop with a one-two in their summer debuts on Wabash Avenue. The veterans of downtown hospitality will first unleash Clumsy Cow BBQ, helmed by Soul & Smoke alum Alexander Willis, where diners will find “new-age” takes on rib tips, Polish sausage and more at 234 S. Wabash. Willis also treats vegetarian diners to a South fried lion’s mane mushroom sandwich. Willis and Co. will follow with Industry Ales Brewpub, a sprawling multi-story beer paradise and speakeasy-style cocktail bar, at 230 S. Wabash next to legendary 122-year-old photography retailer Central Camera.
DeNucci’s
DeNuccis will replace Four Farthings Tavern & Grill. DeNucci’s/Ballyhoo Hospitality
address: 503 W. Dickens Avenue, Lincoln Park
key figures: Ballyhoo hospitality
Long before there were fan conventions and pop culture pop-up bars, there was Four Farthings Tavern & Grill. First opened in 1963, the Irish bar took its name from The Lord of the Rings and served a loyal crowd until it closed in the early years of the pandemic. His former home on the corner of Lincoln, Cleveland and Dickens will soon be buzzing again when the team at Ballyhoo Hospitality – the group behind the neighborhood popular Gemini across the street – unveils DeNuccis, an Italian red sauce spot, New Jersey and New York promises a York atmosphere for dinner every day and lunch on the weekends. According to a representative, the restaurant is scheduled to open in July.
Federal Logan Square
Federales completely revamps the former Marcello’s Father & Son restaurant area. four corners
Address: 2471 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Logan Square
Key Characters: four corners
West Loop party bar Federales, which serves tacos but is better known for serving tequila in ice shot glasses that patrons toss down and then toss at a bell, is opening this summer with an 8,500-square-foot outpost with a retractable roof Logan Square stream. Construction on the former Marcello’s Father & Son on Milwaukee and Sacramento Avenues has dragged on for many months, with residents watching from their bar stools across the street in Estero’s breezy corner plaza. However, the Federales team is not reinventing the wheel: the menu will be similar to that of the sister eatery. According to a representative, the restaurant is scheduled to open at the end of July.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
The huge brewpub will also house a morning bakery. Studio K and Whitney Architects
address: 901 W. Kinzie Street, Fulton Market
key figures: Diageo brands
Guinness, the legendary Irish stout, is concentrating its operations in Chicago with a new brewery slated to open in March to tie in with the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Regardless, the makers of the mega stout will now spread the summer vibes with a restaurant, brewery, and bakery. Yes – Diageo made sure the culinary world knew his new project would involve baking bread – they sponsored the James Beard Awards gala and told the audience. Look for more information soon.
Purple tiger
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
address: 1742 W. Division Street, Wicker Park
key figures: Zubair Mohajir, Ty Fujimura, Won Kim
Wazwan, Wicker Park’s Indian-American fast-casual eatery, has outgrown its size, and without a liquor license it’s hard to compete with the bars along Division Street. The same goes for Chef Zubair Mohajir’s passion project, the tasting menu restaurant at the back, the Coach House by Wazwan; Customers expect wine pairings when they sit down to a fine dining experience. So he turned to his friends – Aramis Ty Fujimura and Kimskis Won Kim. Fujimura has helped Mohajir secure a liquor license and Kim will help creatively transform Wazwan into Lilac Tiger. The hope is to make the bar Indian food and drink what Nine Bar did for Chinese food and drink in Chinatown. Keep an eye out for bar snacks — like Wazwan’s momos and burgers — and fun cocktails.
Monarch & lion
Fish & Chips from Monarch & Lion. Monarch & lion
address: 302 E. Illinois Street, River North
key figures: Manish and Rina Mallick, Chef Jitin Joshi
In Streeterville, the owners of Rooh Chicago and Bar Goa are working on an English pub that serves British-Indian cuisine with Midwestern ingredients. Monarch & Lion is an atypical pub where customers can find the latest football, cricket and international matches. The food comes from an experienced chef who has worked with Gordon Ramsay and runs restaurants in England and Dubai. Here you will find Fish & Chips, Banger & Mash, Chicken Tikka Masala and more. The drinks program will focus on gin.
Sifr
address: 660 N. Orleans Street, River North
key figures: Sujan Sarkar, Sahil Sethi
Not much is known about Sifr, which is described as a “modern Middle Eastern” restaurant by its management, the same team behind Indienne, the Franco-Indian mashup in River North. Former colleagues Sujan Sarkar and Sahil Sethi, who have both cooked at Rooh Chicago, are teaming up again as Sethi has been traveling for research and development purposes in recent months. They’re taking over the former Bernie’s Supper Club, which was closed during the pandemic, so they’ll also have to fill a second-floor rooftop terrace. Sakar, who continues to work with the original Rooh brand in New York and San Francisco, has previously worked with so-called Middle Eastern flavors, fusing them with Indian and European sensibilities. The restaurant is quickly taking shape and could open at the end of June.
um
Chef and partner José Sosa will highlight the cuisine of Emilia-Romagna and Puglia. Studio K/Ummo
address: 22 W. Hubbard Street, River North
key figures: José Sosa, Germán González, Carlos Gaytan
Former Gibsons Italia chef José Sosa will take center stage in July with the opening of Ummo, his trans-Italian homage to Emilia-Romagna and Puglia cuisines. Focused on open fire cooking, Sosa’s ever-changing menu draws on the Italian habit of using ingredients (sourced from around the world) as little as possible, enhancing their special qualities through fresh pasta, meat, seafood and and highlight vegetarian dishes. Located in the closed Rockit Bar & Grill nightclub, Ummo will have two floors with a cocktail bar and a vintage 70’s themed lounge area that will host DJs, live musicians and other artists.
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