The Cedar Hotel Now Open; Bar Ombra Adds a Wood-Fired Oven; More

GOLD COAST—The Cedar Hotel is now "soft" open for business at 1112 N. State and has unveiled a menu featuring hotel-themed sections ("Check-In" for apps, "Room Service" for larger items, "The Gardens" for veggie options). They are open from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. daily (3:00 a.m. Saturdays) and the patio closes at midnight. The official opening date is May 1. [EaterWire]

ANDERSONVILLE—Ombra is making a big change to its menu with the addition of a wood-fired oven. The restaurant will close on April 27 for one week and re-open with wood-fired pizzas, "nibbles" and new specialty cocktails. These changes shouldn't worry Ombra's regulars, as owners Marty Fosse and Tim Rasmussen say that many favorites will remain. [Edgeville Buzz]

LINCOLN PARK—Coppervine and Dr. Sonat Birnecker of Koval Distillery are pairing up for a dinner on April 30. The four-course dinner will be paired with Koval's bourbon, whiskey and coffee liqueur and is $75 per person. [EaterWire]

RIVER NORTH—Bottlefork's Kevin Hickey is adding a grilled cheese menu that is only available on Fridays and Saturdays from Midnight until 2:00 a.m. The sandwiches, including the "Spam & Jack" (homemade spam with jack cheese and giardiniera on toasted pretzel bread), are $8 a piece or $22 for all three. [EaterWire]