24 of Chicago's Most Anticipated Fall Openings

Summer's almost over and many restaurants are gearing up to open in the coming months. We've got everything you need to know about the most anticipated spots in Eater's Fall Opening Report.

Little Goat
Address: 820 W. Randolph
Major Players: Stephanie Izard, Rob Katz, Kevin Boehm
The Situation: Stephanie Izard's second restaurant in the West Loop has been pushed back a few times but finally looks to be on track to open in October. The retro, '50s-style diner will feature a bakery that makes its own bread and a bar that sells local craft brews. The second floor will host a demo kitchen and classroom that can double as private party room. Izard also says she wants to serve up a pulled pork sandwich on a pork fat doughnut, need we say more?
Projected Opening: October

Grace
Address: 652 W. Randolph
The Players: Curtis Duffy, Michael Muser, Bobby Schaffer
The Situation: As if the West Loop was lacking good dining options, Curtis Duffy's Grace will add to the long list of places. The Grant Achatz protégé will be joined by wine director and general manager Michael Muser, formerly of The Peninsula, and Duffy's pastry chef at Avenues, Bobby Schaffer. Expect tasting and prix-fixe menus and a focus on small-batch, handcrafted wines.
Projected Opening: Late October

Embeya
Address: 564 W. Randolph
Major Players: Thai Dang
The Situation: The Asian-inspired restaurant from Laurent Gras' L20 protégé Thai Dang promises to be a good one. A preview dinner in July showcased what you can expect when it opens: dishes full of clean and bold flavors, exotic ingredients, traditional platings and a wine emphasis on Riesling.
Projected Opening: Early September

Carriage House
Address: 1700 W. Division
Major Players: Mark Steuer, Michael Simon, Sean Spradlin, Michael Velo
The Situation: Inspired by the cuisine of South Carolina's Lowcountry, Mark Steuer's new place will draw from his memories growing up along the coastal region. Joining him will be beverage director Michael Simon, formerly of Acadia. The space and décor will include elements of home such as whitewashed wood, a Southern-feeling front porch and 40-seat patio that features rocking chairs. While the main menu will change seasonally, expect dishes such as tender braised pig's feet, shrimp and grits, she crab soup and a clam boil to make their way on there.
Projected Opening: Mid-September

La Sirena Clandestina
Address: 954 W. Fulton Market
Major Players: John Manion, Kim Dalton, Justin Anderson
The Situation: John Manion's newest restaurant will have a "Latin local" vibe featuring Brazilian flavors from his childhood. It will offer lunch and dinner menus with both refined dishes and those of the street food variety.
Projected Opening: September

The Boarding House
Address: 720 N. Wells
Major players: Alpana Singh, Christian Gosselin
The Situation: Sommelier and Check, Please! Host Alpana Singh will open her multi-level restaurant and wine bar in River North. The wine program will play off dishes from Christian Gosselin and feature French-inspired progressive American food.
Projected Opening: Mid-September

Sumi Robata Bar
Address: 702 N. Wells
Major Players: Gene Kato
The Situation: The traditional Japanese robata will offer a variety of sashimi to compliment its grilling as well as an open dessert bar filled with jelly and fruit-based desserts, ice creams and cakes. The space will also feature a separate lounge, Charcoal Bar, that will have a vibe like the Aviary or Violet Hour.
Projected Opening: Mid-Fall

Reno
Address: 2607 N. Milwaukee
Major Players: Johnny Anderes, Elliot Green, Katie Wyer, Jeremy Quinn
The Situation: The Telegraph crew has taken over the space formerly occupied by Ciao Napoli Pizzeria and plans to open Reno, an American osteria. The place will feature wood-burning pizzas and pastas and offer a daytime and a dinner menu that aims to keep dishes under $15. (Photo)
Projected Opening: Mid-October

Found
Address: 1631 Chicago, Evanston, IL
Major Players: Amy Morton, Nicole Pederson
The Situation: Amy Morton and former C-House chef Nicole Pederson plan to open their newest venture in Evanston. The pair are still working on the menu, but say the restaurant is about "building a community and creating a comfortable space with welcoming food," with the décor evoking the period between the 1920s and '50s.
Projected Opening: October

Jellyfish
Address: 1009 N. Rush
Major Players: Harold Jurado, Joseph De Vito, Josh Carl, Andy Galsan, Daniel Finnigan
The Situation: Owners Joseph DeVito and Josh Carl and chef Harold Jurado's upscale pan-Asian spot is set to open in the Gold Coast and will feature a diverse mix of proteins and flavors including a signature jellyfish salad. Sushi chef Andy Galsan and beverage director Daniel Finnigan also join the team.
Projected Opening: Early September

Baume & Brix
Address: 351 W. Hubbard
Major Players: Steve Tavoso, Jeff Krogh, Thomas Elliott Bowman, Ben Roche, Nate Park
The Situation: Former iNG and Moto chefs are collaborating on a new spot with the owner of Epic to serve a globally inspired menu that features small, large and sweet plates. The restaurant will be broken up into four sections—bar and lounge, dining room, private dining and a six-person chef's table set in a former elevator shaft.
Projected Opening: Mid-September

Elizabeth
Address: 4835 N. Western
Major Players: Iliana Regan
The Situation: Longtime underground dinner chef Iliana Regan will open her Lincoln Square storefront restaurant on September 19. There will be several farm-to-table tasting menus, priced $65 to $205, and reservations are done through a ticketing system.
Projected Opening: September 19

Bub City/Three Dots and a Dash
Address: 435 N. Clark
Major Players: R.J. Melman, Jerrod Melman, Paul McGee
The Situation: The Melman Brothers have teamed with the founders of Joe's Bar for their forthcoming country/western bar and barbecue shack. The bar will serve craft brews and a large selection of whiskey and bourbon. Meanwhile, the tiki bar downstairs will be led by Paul McGee and feature a mix of classic tiki drinks and some McGee originals.
Projected Opening: Late October

Lao 18
Address: 18 W. Hubbard
Major Players: Tony Hu
The Situation: Tony Hu has already conquered Chinatown and it looks like he has no intentions of stopping there. He recently opened Lao Mala and plans to expand Lao Sze Chuan into Uptown, but the biggest project will be a new, upscale spot in River North focusing on dishes from numerous Chinese regions.
Projected Opening: November

Mezcalina
Address: 333 E. Benton
Major Players: Manuel Bañuelos
The Situation: Mexican chef Manuel Bañuelos will open a restaurant focused on the cuisine of Oaxaca near Millennium Park. The menu will feature traditional Oaxacan dishes including chapulines, a nutty-tasting grasshopper delicacy often served in tacos. Mezcalina will also share space with Black Coffee Gallery, a coffee shop chain in Mexico.
Projected Opening: September 15

Bar Pastoral
Address: 2945 N. Broadway
Major Players: Greg O'Neill, Ken Miller, Mark Hayes
The Situation: The 40-seat wine bar next to Pastoral will be a casual place to drop in for a quick bite. Expect cheeses, craft beers, earth-friendly wines and hot and small plates featuring food made in house.
Projected Opening: October

Tortoise Club
Address: 350 N. State
Major Players: Keene Addington, Gray McNally
The Situation: The restaurant from former Flat Top Grill CEO Keene Addington and chef Gray McNally will have a classic Chicago clubhouse feel and serve both lunch and dinner. One of the dishes to look for is the pheasant pie, a pot pie with whole roast pheasant and sautéed root vegetables and herbs.
Projected Opening: November

Billy Sunday
Major Players: Matthias Merges, Alex Bachman
The Situation: Hot off his yakitori-inspired restaurant, Matthias Merges will open a cocktail lounge in the same area. The name is a nod to the popular Prohibition-era evangelist and will be led by Yusho mixologist Alex Bachman.
Projected Opening: Late October

OON
Address: 802 W. Randolph
Major Players: Matt Eversman, Tony Cournia
The Situation: Former Saigon Sistsrs chef Matt Eversman will open his new place in the West Loop focused on contemporary American influenced by Southeast Asian cuisine. He will be joined by Tony Cournia, former general manager at Girl & The Goat.
Projected Opening: Mid-September

Marigold
Address: 5413 N. Clark
The Situation: The modern Indian restaurant in Uptown will move to its new location in Andersonville.
Projected Opening: October

Leghorn
Major Players: Jared Van Camp, Chris Dexter, John Warken, Chris Freeman
The Situation: The team behind Nellcôte and Old Town Social is set to open a socially conscious chicken shop that will serve fried chicken sandwiches.
Projected Opening: Late Fall

Local
Major Players: David Flom, Matthew Moore
The Situation: The team behind successful Chicago Cut Steakhouse will soon open another new restaurant inside the Hilton Suites Hotel. Specializing in upscale comfort food, Local will use ingredients that are mostly sourced locally and include dishes like chicken and waffles, chicken pot pie, Berkshire pig ribs and meatloaf with old-fashioned Dr. Pepper sauce. (Photo)
Projected Opening: November

Edzo's Burger Shop
Address: 2218 N. Lincoln
Major Players: Eddie Lakin
The Situation: Evanston's favorite burger shop expands as Eddie Lakin brings his patties, fries and shakes to town. (Photo)
Projected Opening: Late October

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Address: 58 E. Oak
Major Players: CEO Mark Mednansky, Chef TBD
The Situation: Del Frisco's, with nine locations around the country, plans to open a 23,000 square-foot second-level steakhouse overlooking Oak Street in the former Esquire Theater location. Expect prime USDA steaks, chops and fresh seafood.
Projected Opening: Late November/early December