Name: Giant, The Loyalist, Moneygun make their returns, plus 20 more new restaurants and reopenings in Chicago
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Giant, The Loyalist, Moneygun make their returns, plus 20 more new restaurants and reopenings in Chicago

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By Chicago TribuneMay 05, 2021 at 11:56 amAdvertisementAs the weather warms and vaccine distribution ramps up, many restaurants and bars are in the midst of reopening and expanding their service offerings.We’re running a tab and keeping track of which spots have opened their doors for customers, either after hibernating for the winter or staying shut through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. New restaurants are also starting to pop up around the city — a welcome change after so many closings in 2020.Be sure to call ahead to check on restrictions or health measures and to confirm businesses are open for service. With the continuously shifting nature of the pandemic, restrictions could be reinstated.The newest additions are below, followed by an alphabetical list of past reopenings.The companion to Coco Pazzo in River North has reopened for both indoor and outdoor service. The Streeterville sister location has expanded its menu to include more small plates. 212 E. Ohio St., 312-664-0212, AdvertisementAlong North Avenue in Wicker Park, the Delta has reopened, and it has a new chef, Christian Sia, who comes from the restaurant’s hospitality group. The restaurant offers indoor dining, as well as seating on an all-seasons patio that launched last year. 1745 W. North Ave., 773-360-1793, AdvertisementThe single-name spot makes its return with a menu that’s almost completely new, per its announcement. Giant will offer dining indoors and outdoors, although reservations are required due to capacity limits — and if you’ve been before, you know that Giant’s indoor space certainly does have limitations. 3209 W. Armitage Ave., 773-252-0997, AdvertisementOtto Phan is the chef behind the upscale omakase restaurant Kyōten, and he now has a new restaurant along the Elston Corridor that houses a pair of dining concepts. Hinoki Sushiko splits into two levels: one an izakaya lounge featuring Japanese street food, and the other Chicago’s first large format omakase experience. 1465 W. Willow St., 773-687-8898, AdvertisementThere’s a whole new look at Ken Kee Restaurant, which underwent some serious changes during the pandemic closure, including new ownership in Kenny Yang, founder of Strings Ramen. The Chinese restaurant has expanded to two stories and features an aesthetic inspired by the streets and markets of 1950s Hong Kong. Ken Kee has also added a new menu devoted to Hong Kong Cart Noodles, along with its usual options. 2129 S. China Place, 312-326-2088, AdvertisementWicker Park will regain one of its ramen spots with the reopening of Kinton Ramen. The Japanese restaurant chain offers dine-in, carryout and delivery services. 1426 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-770-3452, AdvertisementSmyth’s downstairs, more casual sibling has reopened for business, which means The Loyalist’s beloved burger is back for the full on-site experience as well. Right now, The Loyalist is serving a seasonal spring menu, and the bar said it will open a sidewalk cafe on Ada Street once warmer weather arrives. 177 N. Ada St., 773-913-3773, AdvertisementOak Brook gets a new restaurant this weekend with the opening of Lucca Osteria &amp; Bar. The Italian restaurant boasts a menu based on chef Claudio Ulivieri’s hometown of Altopascio, a village in the Italian province of Lucca. Lucca will be open for dinner service with expanded hours, lunch and Sunday brunch coming soon. 1415 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook; 630-866-7234, AdvertisementThe West Loop bar made its return in April with expansions in all areas: The pandemic inspired a renovation at Moneygun that added 1,100 square feet of space, and the bar also lengthened both its cocktail and food menus. Otherwise, it’s the same Moneygun that people know and love. 660 W. Lake St., 312-600-0600, AdvertisementOne of the city’s most popular sushi restaurants has reopened in its River North location and added a new pickup point for to-go orders. If you’re having trouble deciding, guests can now combine orders from Naoki Sushi with orders from Shaw’s Crab House and Vong’s Thai Kitchen, which are also Lettuce Entertain You properties. 21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722, AdvertisementThe hotel restaurant has reopened and is currently serving a seasonal spring menu. Make sure to grab a reservation for dining in both the restaurant and rooftop perch. 854 W. Randolph St., 312-779-8800, AdvertisementOaken Bistro + Bar is the hotel restaurant housed inside the new Forester Hotel in Lake Forest. The concept will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurant, bar, lounge and outdoor patio spaces and feature seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also offers a strong weekday happy hour called the “Oaken 5,” a selection of five appetizers and five cocktails, each for $5. 200 N. Field Drive, Lake Forest; 847-582-6410, AdvertisementIt’s going to be a good summer for the Original Rainbow Cone. Not only is the ice cream shop opening a second location, in Lombard, but it will also add more ice-cream trucks to its mobile fleet in time for summer. 498 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard; AdvertisementThis isn’t The Press Room that you’re used to, as the bar has been temporarily transformed into Dead Plants, a speakeasy-style bar with occasional cabaret shows. It’s designed to be a full experience, including dinner and cocktails by candlelight, even on nights without a show. Reservations are required and can be placed by calling 872-240-2317. 1134 W. Washington Blvd., 331-240-1914, AdvertisementRavinia Brewing has one taproom in its home village of Highland Park, but the brewery has major plans to open another location in time for Mother’s Day. Ravinia’s newest location will be in Logan Square along Diversey Avenue, adding another taproom to an already-crowded craft beer scene in the neighborhood. 2601 W. Diversey Ave., 773-362-5553, AdvertisementIf you’re looking for a fine-dining option that you can bring home, Robert Et Fils has you covered. The French restaurant is still offering its menu for takeout only, with fresh, seasonal offerings that rotate every two weeks. 4229 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-687-9179, AdvertisementThis new West Loop spot channels the kind of neighborhood deli you’d hope to have around the corner from your apartment. Specializing in fresh, house-made bagels, house-smoked pastrami and cold-smoked salmon, the restaurant has plenty of familiar choices to enjoy. The deli is also beginning a special dinner service on Thursdays and Fridays called Rye After Hours. 25 S. Halsted St., 773-602-2100, AdvertisementOne of the city’s tallest cocktail lounges and restaurants has reopened with the return of The Signature Room in the former John Hancock Center. The space is currently open for service Wednesday through Sunday, so there’s likely to be a crowd, but the views are worth the wait, especially around sunset. 875 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-9596, AdvertisementA plant-based, fast-casual spot based in Berkeley, California, Stand-Up Burgers opened its second location at the corner of Lake and Wells streets in April. Expect meat-free versions of hamburger stand favorites, plus a falafel option and the In-N-Out-inspired “animal”-style fries. A second Chicago location — Stand-Up’s third overall — is slated to open May 13 in the Lakeview neighborhood. 204 N. Wells St.; 614 W. Diversey Parkway; AdvertisementThis upscale seafood spot in Gold Coast reopened May 1 with indoor and patio dining service. Truluck’s also offers a weekday social hour with 25% off cocktails and expects to host live music on select evenings from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-982-0050, AdvertisementLogan Square’s prominent corner wine bar is offering fresh pours again, and Webster’s has added a gift shop and retail component featuring wine by the bottle, plus items for the kitchen and home, many of which are locally sourced. It also welcomes new chef Remy Ayesh (Spiaggia). 2601 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-929-9462, AdvertisementAll three locations of the popular entertainment center have reopened. WhirlyBall will be following COVID-19 safety precautions in all of its spaces, including laser tag, bowling and WhirlyBall itself. The locations in Chicago and Naperville have attractive outdoor options, including a rooftop terrace at each spot. Locations vary; AdvertisementWood is back, and it’s serving both brunch and dinner featuring the restaurant’s customary seasonal approach. Seatings are limited to 90 minutes per party, and reservations are highly recommended. 3335 N. Halsted St., 773-935-9663, AdvertisementChicago’s most decorated restaurant reopened for indoor dining in March for the first time in a year. Alinea returned to Lincoln Park on March 17 with largely the same setup as it had pre-pandemic. Co-founder Nick Kokonas that the restaurant will seat fewer guests and space tables further apart in the future. 1723 N. Halsted St., AdvertisementWicker Park’s main drag has a new resident following the opening of Big Mini Putt Club. The operation is, indeed, a large space for miniature golf that doubles as a bar, filling out the panoramic storefront that most recently housed the Silver Room pop-up. Guests can play the nine-hole, 45-minute indoor course in groups of up to four people. Food will be provided by nearby Big and Little’s. 1302 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-857-6464, AdvertisementThe longtime Logan Square restaurant and cocktail bar is open for indoor and outdoor dining. While most of the seating is for walk-in service, some reservations are available. 3143 W. Logan Blvd., 773-661-2485, AdvertisementThe stylish West Loop steakhouse reopened March 17 for dinner service Wednesday through Sunday. Takeout and delivery service will remain available. 817 W. Lake St., 312-526-3116, AdvertisementThe restaurant chain adds another location to its Illinois lineup, and this one is the first to come to Chicago’s North Shore suburbs. Cooper’s Hawk opened the new digs March 29 in Morton Grove’s Sawmill Station mixed-use development. 6731 Dempster St., Morton Grove; 847-461-9991, AdvertisementThe popular downtown tavern made its return this month and will be serving up lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The reopening announcement notes that the Dearborn added a brand-new ionization air-filtration system using hospital-grade filters to help limit air pollutants. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312-384-1242, AdvertisementThis West Loop restaurant will reopen for service Thursday through Saturday with a daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. that includes discount cocktails and half-off certain bottles of wine. 1111 W. Lake St., 312-248-8942, AdvertisementThe fiery South American steakhouse reopened Tuesday for dining indoors and on its sidewalk patio (weather permitting). Guests will find some minor tweaks on the menu, and the Chef’s Counter experience will occur at an adjacent Hearth Table to accommodate social distancing. El Che Meat &amp; Provisions, the pandemic-born retail portion, will also continue to offer pickup and online ordering. 845 W. Washington Blvd., 312-265-1130, AdvertisementThe downtown standby for steady sub sandwiches is back in action. Online orders for delivery and pickup are still available as well. 332 S. Michigan Ave., 312-663-3061, AdvertisementThe Southern-influenced, German-style beer hall is reopen for dinner service in West Town. Funkenhausen will restart its popular weekend brunch soon, a news release said, and will also reopen its sidewalk patio when the weather allows. 1709 W. Chicago Ave., 312-929-4727, AdvertisementHopewell to reopen its Logan Square taproom at the start of April. The brewery’s Instagram post also noted several changes to the indoor setup. To ease capacity restrictions and maximize allowances under COVID-19 guidelines, Hopewell is switching to a 21-and-over crowd with no dogs at this time. Previously, the taproom allowed kids and dogs indoors. 2760 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-698-6178, AdvertisementPerched atop the Hyatt Place near North and Ashland avenues, the Kennedy Rooftop offers a first-come, first-served option for rooftop dining and drinking. The space offers a tidy menu of shareables and solo entrees, plus cocktails, wine and beer bottles and cans. Kennedy boasts pretty good views of downtown too. 1551 W. North Ave., 773-270-6770, AdvertisementLM Hospitality’s Land and Lake operation expands its footprint with a second location slated to open in Andersonville in the middle of this month. (The original Land and Lake Kitchen is tucked in the ground level of the downtown LondonHouse hotel.) 5420 N. Clark St., 708-607-2102, AdvertisementThe Latin-American-inspired Lírica is a new restaurant nestled in Navy Pier’s Sable hotel. Both opened in March. The restaurant aims to offer a slightly elevated option for dining on Navy Pier, but the real attraction is an open-air, 150-seat patio. Lírica takes reservations and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 900 E. Grand Ave., AdvertisementThe East Pilsen taproom has reopened both its indoor space and outdoor patio. Dogs and kids remain welcome at Lo Rez, and guests may also still bring their own food. 2101 S. Carpenter St., 888-404-2262, AdvertisementThis posh spot on Division Avenue has reopened for food and cocktails. On weekdays, Machine offers a half-off discount during the 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. happy hour for communal cocktails and bottles of wine. The restaurant will continue to offer food, drinks and cocktail kits to go as well. 1846 W. Division St., 773-276-7422, AdvertisementThe Puerto Rican restaurant swung open its virtual doors in late March. Like many ghost-kitchen-style setups from the last year, Marina’s is a digital restaurant available for pickup or delivery only. 3517 N. Spaulding Ave., AdvertisementThe second location of Glenview’s acclaimed Mesa Urbana restaurant will replace Mundano, the Latin American concept that had just opened before being felled by the pandemic. The Mexican restaurant is helmed by Ruben Beltran (Topolobampo) and is aiming to open by the end of March. 1935 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-492 8005, AdvertisementAfter opening its first restaurant just last year, Oooh Wee It Is has already opened a second spot, this one in Chatham. The new location, which opened at the end of February, serves the same soul food menu that has drawn lines at its Burnham storefront. 33 E. 83rd St., 708-933-0363, AdvertisementAfter both suburban locations reopened recently, the Chicago location of Old Town Pour House has now followed suit. Reservations are available for the beer bar. 1419 N. Wells St., 312-477-2800, AdvertisementThe favorite Wicker Park pizzeria and brewery has reopened, and it’s taking reservations. Piece is open daily for lunch and dinner. 1927 W. North Ave., 773-772-4422, AdvertisementThe Michelin-starred restaurant will offer a tasting menu for its reopening, starting with Friday through Sunday service and additional weekly dates to follow in April. Smyth also plans to continue to offer its custom at-home meal experiences. Once the weather fully warms, the sidewalk patio will reopen. 177 N. Ada St., 773-913-3773, AdvertisementThe beloved Jewish deli opened its new location earlier this month and has attracted crowds to its storefront — conveniently situated next to the Music Box Theatre, another Chicago staple. 3737 N. Southport Ave., 773-661-2469, AdvertisementThis new Italian spot in Logan Square comes from the owner of Osteria Langhe. The restaurant and wine bar welcomes guests for both indoor and patio dining, plus it’s planning a pair of complementary concepts set to launch later this year: the rustic Soif Wine Lounge, located downstairs, plus Pizzica, a food truck concept catered to patio guests and takeaway service. 2456 N. California Ave., 773-661-6028, AdvertisementJust in time for the Cubs’ opening series, the Bar at Hotel Zachary — located adjacent to Wrigley Field — will reopen its indoor space for limited capacity. The patio and kitchen will remain closed for now, but guests can belly up to the bar top on a first-come, first-served basis. The regular drink menu will be served, and food is available in the form of small plates from Big Star next door. The Bar opens at 11:30 a.m. on Cubs game days. 3630 N. Clark St., 773-302-2300, AdvertisementThis food hall delivery concept is now open, serving food and drink from five kitchens in the same facility. The lineup includes Chickpea (Middle Eastern cuisine), Like Salads (soups and salads), Planta (acai bowls and smoothies), Cup-of Noodle (ramen bowls) and Sweet Cream (inventive milkshakes). The Cafeteria’s concepts tout a strong selection of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto and paleo-friendly items on their menus, per its news release. Preorders are available for delivery and pickup. 840 N. Orleans St., 312-835-7787, AdvertisementEveryone’s favorite late-night dance bar in Logan Square is making its return. The Owl that it will stay open until 1 a.m. for the evening crowds, and it will bring back its weekday happy hour as well. 2521 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-235-5300, AdvertisementThe popular River North tropical-themed bar offers limited indoor and outdoor patio dining. Dining room reservations are limited to 90 minutes and six guests. Bottled cocktails and cocktail kits remain available for takeout. 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220, AdvertisementThis new property from Third Coast hospitality is a modern Italian restaurant helmed by chef Marco Colin (La Luna, The Publican, Alinea). Tree House is now open in River North. 149 W. Kinzie St., 773-348-8899, AdvertisementThe well-known chocolate-maker reopened its striking Chocolate Temple location for in-store shopping in February. Guests can still make purchases through the website for pickup. 2950 N. Oakley Ave., 773-388-5560, AdvertisementThe Michelin-starred contemporary Japanese restaurant has reopened for indoor dining and will be offering an eight-course tasting menu. With a focus on returning to dining, Yugen will no longer have its meal kits to go. 652 W. Randolph St., 312-265-1008, What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. Sign up for our Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter . Advertisement

By Chicago TribuneMay 05, 2021 at 11:56 amAdvertisementAs the weather warms and vaccine distribution ramps up, many restaurants and bars are in the midst of reopening and expanding their service offerings.We’re running a tab and keeping track of which spots have opened their doors for customers, either after hibernating for the winter or staying shut through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. New restaurants are also starting to pop up around the city — a welcome change after so many closings in 2020.Be sure to call ahead to check on restrictions or health measures and to confirm...

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Adam Lukach

The Chicago Tribune is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television are named), it remains the most-read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region. It had the 6th highest circulation for American newspapers in 2017.

Giant, The Loyalist, Moneygun make their returns, plus 20 more new restaurants and reopenings in Chicago

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