Spanish-Themed Salero Coming to Alimentari Space

Salero, a Spanish-themed restaurant from the crew of Wood, is taking over the old Alimentari space next door to Blackbird in the West Loop. Wood's executive chef Ashlee Aubin will be heading up the kitchen, and tells Crain's that it "won't be a tapas restaurant" and that they're "going to push the flavors into a modern, very clean, contemporary direction."

Dinner will be the focus of Salero at first, but lunch, along with a sidewalk patio, is in the plans as well. Aubin will work with a flat-top plancha, as well as wood-fired grills, and plans to cure his own salted cod, as well as prep classic Spanish charcuterie.

The Alimentari space, which shuttered in January, holds 60 seats in the restaurant and 40 more in the second level private dining room. Salero will also house a San Sebastian-style "stand-and-eat" area. The plan is to focus more on wine more than cocktails, with particular attention paid to a list of sherry. The hunt for someone to head up the beverage program is on now. Look for Salero to open next April.
· Team Behind Wood to Open Basque Restaurant on Randolph [Crain's]
· Alimentari Shuttered Six Months In [-ECHI-]
· Wood [Official Site]
[Photo: LoopNet]