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Dining news: Restaurant closings, Smack Shack, Uncle Julio's
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times.
2016-07-19

This article shared 900 times since Tue Jul 19, 2016
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—Vivo recently closed after a quarter-century in the West Loop, Eater Chicago noted. The owners of AMK Kitchen Bar, a Bucktown restaurant that opened in June 2015, have purchased Vivo's Randolph Restaurant Row space; in late July, they'll open a pop-up concept called Nosh & Booze.

—Also recently closing was Embeya. Eater Chicago reported that the West Loop spot suddenly closed in late June after a four-year run. Co-owners Attila Gyulai and chef Thai Dang went through a well-publicized split, leading to Dang's departure in March 2015. Dang and his brother then slapped Embeya with a pair of lawsuits, one resulting in a ruling in which Dang won $100,000.

—Smack Shack, 326 N. Morgan St., is offering lunch Tuesday through Friday starting at 11 a.m. Guests who purchase the lunch special will receive a half lobster roll ( served either Smack Shack Original or Connecticut style ) and Boston Clam Chowda for $12 ( add $3 for a 16-oz. select draft ). Also, happy hour takes place Tuesday through Friday at 3-6 p.m., and includes specials such as $1 oysters, $9 mussels and $12 lobster mac and cheese, among other items. See Smack-Shack.com/Chicago.

—Uncle Julio's ( multiple locations in Chicago and the suburbs ) now has the chocolate pinata. The dessert is filled with homemade mini churros, fresh pineapple, blackberries and strawberries; people crack open the chocolate delicacy with a small wooden hammer and dip its contents in a plate of raspberry, chocolate and caramel sauces topped off with Uncle Julio's house-made whipped cream. See ChocolatePinata.com .

—Devon Seafood Grill, 39 E. Chicago Ave., has added The Oyster Bar at Devon Seafood Grill. The concept comes under the direction of new Executive Chef David Rolon and General Manager Tim Sherlock. The Oyster Bar will feature a rotating selection of super-cold, super-fresh oysters shucked to order, and which share a bed of ice with succulent lobster claws and shrimp cocktails. Also, every Wednesday, Devon will have One Buck Shuck special. The Oyster Bar's new menu will also such items as New England clam chowder, cheddar peppercorn biscuits, mini-lobster rolls and wasabi vegetable tempura.

—Roti Modern Mediterranean has unveiled its first modernized downtown Chicago location at the MetraMarket, 121 N. Clinton St. This new location in the MetraMarket features a dedicated outdoor patio space, a slew of new menu items and a selection of beers, wines and bottled cocktails from local retailers including Revolution Brewing, Goose Island Beer Company, Half Acre Beer Company and Crafthouse Cocktails. See Roti.com .

—Chicago's Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House has announced a brand-new executive chef. Russell Kook arrives at Hugo's having most recently served as executive chef of Chicago Cut Steakhouse. He also contributed his talents to kitchens such David Burke and The Florentine and has appeared on TV shows Iron Chef America and Hell's Kitchen.

—Mexican restaurant Ixcateco Grill, 3402 W. Montrose Ave., has chef/owner Anselmo Ramirez making some changes to his dinner and brunch menus with summer seasonal enhancements. New dinner appetizers include a summer seasonal rendition of the Ensalada de Ensalada de Betabel ( $8 ) as well as a ceviche ( $10 ) with whitefish; dinner entrees include Enchiladas Vegetarianas ( $15 ) and Salmon Frutero ( $17 ), among other dishes. Brumch options include cornmeal pancakes ( $11 ) and Mexican toast ( $11 ). See IxcatecoGrill.com .

—Red Star Liquor, which opened in 1991 in Logan Square at 2715 N. Milwaukee Ave., has now expanded to more than 2,500 square feet with a new address at 2725 N. Milwaukee Ave. With the expansion comes the addition of The Walk-In, a tap room and lounge connected to Red Star Liquor at 2727 N. Milwaukee Ave. that is now open. Call 773-227-7033 or 773-697-8726.

—La Sirena Clandestina, 954 W. Fulton Market, has announced Eric Michael as the restaurant's new chef de cuisine. Michael started in the Chicago restaurant industry as executive chef at The Southern in Wicker Park before moving to Michelin-starred restaurant Longman & Eagle. Among Michael's dishes are smoked chicken coxinha with compressed melon, country ham, feta, arugula and cashew vinaigrette; and BBQ goat crepinette with boiled yucca, cabbage and jalapeno slaw, lime yogurt and mint ash. See LaSirenaChicago.com .

—Bob Mariano, the former Dominick's deli worker who went on to become the CEO of Roundy's and then Mariano's grocery stores, will retire Sept. 1, The Daily Herald reported. Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. acquired Mariano's last November and Mariano had said at that time he had no plans to retire. Instead, he enjoyed opening more stores around the suburbs, including Schaumburg, Naperville, Wheaton and elsewhere.

—Mercadito Chicago, 108 W. Kinzie St., is raising a glass to National Tequila Day on Sunday, July 24, with a special prix fixe menu, including a specialty Mercadito tequila cocktail of your choice, available 3 p.m.-12 a.m. Guests can enjoy a prix fixe menu ( for $35 ) that includes a choice of three types of guacamole, two dishes of ceviches or botanas, four tacos, one side, one dessert and one tequila cocktail. See MercaditoRestaurants.com/Chicago.

—James Beard Award-winning Chef Tory Miller ( of restaurants Sujeo, Estrellon, Graze and L'Etoile in Madison, Wisconsin ) heads to Chicago to host two pop-up dinners with Honey Butter Fried Chicken and Sunday Dinner Club Chefs Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp. Miller will serve his take on fried chicken at Honey Butter Fried Chicken on Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., with Korean Fried Chicken with cucumber kimchi and gochujang honey butter. On Monday, July 25, at 7 p.m., the pop-up continues with Sunday Dinner Club as the three chefs collaborate on a five-course Spanish-themed dinner. The Sunday Dinner Club Menu will be offered for $65 plus tax and gratuity; see https://sundaydinnerclub.tocktix.com/#/home.

—On Monday, July 25, at 6 p.m., Imperial Laiman, 6 W. Hubbard St., will hold its first-ever wine pairing dinner, "Regions of China," featuring Albert Bichot Wines. Guests will enjoy an array of courses representing different regions of China and guest speaker Nico Coullenot from Albert Bichot Wines will be present to offer first-hand insight on the featured libations. The culinary journey takes guests to regions around China including, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Lanzhou, Szechuan, Jing nan and Guangzhou. Tickets are $85 each; call 312-595-9440.

—Parts and Labor, 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave., will hold a special summer edition of its trivia night ( sponsored by Two Brothers Brewing Company ) on Monday, July 25, at 9 p.m. The spot's menu features fried giardiniera, deep fried Twinkie with raspberry sauce, and homemade seasonal chili.

—In honor of Lollapalooza, Forno Rosso, 1048 W. Randolph St., will offer a special Red Hot Chili Pepper Pizza on July 28-31 for $15. The pizza will feature spicy soppressata, Calabrian peppers, chili pepper, house-made spicy oil and basil; see FornoRossoPizzeria.com . Also, Kanela Wicker Park, 1048 N. Milwaukee Ave., is offering a special "Lollapaloma" featuring Red Hot Chili Pepper-infused tequila, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, soda and lime, available for $8 each on July 28-31; see KanelaBreakfastClub.com .

—Chef Bill Kim is hosting the second Backyard BBQ of the summer at bellyQ, 1400 W. Randolph St., on Sunday, July 31, 1-4 p.m. Selections will include lobster, cucumber and radish in white soy-ginger vinaigrette; grilled sweet corn with chile lime butter; and sourdough toasts with benton's country ham, pickled peaches and charred sweet onions, among other things. Tickets ( $45 each ) can be purchased at BrownPaperTtickets.com .

—Deschutes Brewery is heading to Chicago with a pop-up Saturday, Aug. 6, 2-10 p.m., at 2607 N. Milwaukee Ave. The ultimate craft beer block party, this 400-foot custom bar will be pouring beers from 60+ taps, including local guest taps from Revolution Brewing, BuckleDown Brewing and Hopewell Brewing. At each of its national stops, Deschutes Brewery works with local nonprofits to raise funds and gives all of the proceeds to aid their mission. In Chicago, Deschutes Brewery has teamed with Alliance for the Great Lakes and Logan Square Preservation. Admission is free but VIP passes can be pre-purchased at https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/events/streetpubchicago.

—On Monday, Sept. 5, Oyster Bah, 1962 N. Halsted St., will offer Labor Day specials. Among said specials are half of a fried chicken, served with Bad Seed hot sauce ( $17 ); and steamed lobster ( $37 ). Specials will come with sweet corn on the cob and cole slaw. See OysterBah.com .

—Food Tank Chicago will take place Wed., Nov. 16, at the Gleacher Center, 450 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Among the expected guests are Chicago Tribune food writer Bill Daley, chef Rick Bayless, IATP Executive Director Juliette Majot and Food Tank President Danielle Nierenberg. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-food-tank-summit-chicago-il-tickets-20817007229.

Send items to Andrew@WindyCityMediaGroup.com or follow on Twitter @Azygous60610 .


This article shared 900 times since Tue Jul 19, 2016
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