Chicago's Most Anticipated Spring Restaurant and Bar Openings of 2015

Though it may not feel like it yet, spring is here and with it comes the many highly-anticipated openings of the season. The below are just some of the buzzed-about restaurants and bars slated to make their debuts in the coming months. Look over the list to get the status of each and make sure to come back to receive updates on your favorites from Eater's Most Anticipated Spring Opening Report.

Roister

Location: Fulton Market, 951 W. Fulton Market
Key Players: Grant Achatz, Nick Kokonas, Noah Sandoval
Projected Opening: May

Nick Kokonas says that the announcement of the opening date for Roister (in the former iNG space), the latest project from him and Grant Achatz (Alinea, Next), won't happen until "about five days before the doors open for business. Not before." Past the few details that Achatz has let through, including a hope to open in time for the James Beard Awards in May, little is known about Roister. Former Senza chef Noah Sandoval is on board but won't be the exec chef [UPDATE: Sandoval is no longer involved]; loud music and tight table spacing are anticipated; and the a la carte menu will feature "rustic and refined" food. The wait for the announcement to come down has officially begun.

Chicago Athletic Association Hotel

Location: The Loop, 12 S. Michigan Avenue, website

Key Players: Danny Meyer, Peter Toalson, Paul McGee

Projected Opening: May

It was just confirmed yesterday that the new concepts from Land & Sea Dept.(Longman & Eagle) and the second Chicago location of Shake Shack will both open when the historic Chicago Athletic Association Hotel renovation opens in May. Look for multiple food options, Paul McGee cocktails, and a game room.

Nishiguchi

Location: Lincoln Park, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, website

Key Players: Rich Melman, Jason Chan, B.K. Park

Projected Opening: Second quarter of 2015

Juno's Jason Chan and B.K. Park will carve out a little space inside Lettuce Entertain You's Intro with the opening of their new sushi concept, Nishiguchi. Chan tirelessly documented his and Park's recent eating excursions to New York and Los Angeles via social media.

Sink | Swim

Location: Logan Square, 3213 W. Armitage Avenue, website

Key Players: Matt Danko, Scofflaw Group

Projected Opening: Any day now

The Scofflaw Group's seafood restaurant with Cleveland native Matt Danko at the helm is rumored to be opening at any moment and will be just a few doors away from their popular cocktail bar and eatery that sits on the corner of Armitage and Kedzie. Expect a similar casual atmosphere found at Scofflaw, with drinks meant to complement the seafood.

The Broken Shaker

Location: River North, 19 E. Ohio Street

Key Players: Elad Zvi, Gabriel Orta

Projected Opening: Second quarter of 2015

Located in the upcoming Freehand Chicago hostel (formerly Tokyo Hotel), The Broken Shaker will bring a hit Miami concept to town, one that will source local ingredients and purveyors for cocktails, punches and a menu focusing on small plates. The Miami location has made Eater's 38 Essential Cocktail Bars in American and was a James Beard semi-finalist in 2013 and 2014 and should give the city's craft cocktail scene a run for its money.

Bom Bolla

Location: Wicker Park, 1501 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Key Players: W. Craig Cooper, Matthew Lair

Projected Opening: First week of May

Eschewing the tried-and-true tapas theme, the Pops For Champagne owners are taking their Spanish wine bar, Bom Bolla, into "uncharted territory" with chef Matthew Lair (Kith & Kin). Lair's menu will feature twenty or so small plates and his kitchen has a wood-fire grill that will loom large. The bar will be open until 2:00 a.m. and the kitchen until midnight daily.

Pub Royale

Location: Wicker Park, 2049 W. Division website

Key Players: Jason Vaughan, Kevin Heisner, Matt Eisler, Michael McAvena and Ria Neri

Projected Opening: April

The team behind Trenchermen, Lone Wolf and many other hip, happening places is almost ready to unleash a British-style beer pub in the former SmallBar Division home and a boutique sailor-inspired cocktail bar in a long-dead neighborhood bar. Chef Jason Vaughan is concentrating the Pub Royale food menu on Indian and Asian dishes (think chicken tikka masala and Szechuan-style curried tripe), but he could sneak in spins on Brit classics, while the beer program promises to be expansive. [UPDATE: Heisler's other Division Street project, Queen Mary, will open in summer.]

Halal Guys

Location: Gold Coast, 49 W. Division Street

Key Players: Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka, Abdelbaset Elsayed

Projected Opening: June

The franchise expansion of NYC's Halal Guys is fast approaching, with the kebob chain due to hit the Viagra Triangle before summer hits. Four more locations are planned for Chicago, but details on when and where are still unknown.

Bunny, the micro bakery / Wunder POP

Location: Lakeview, 2928 N. Broadway, website

Key Players: Iliana Regan, Phil Tadros

Projected Opening: Second quarter of 2015

Could Iliana Regan's Bunny, the micro bakery open to the public before or on April 14? Regan's restaurant Elizabeth is named in honor of her late sister, as is Bunny (Elizabeth's nickname) and that is her birth day, so it could be a way to honor her. That alone wouldn't be reason to assume, but the bakery's menu is already posted on its website with prices and a chef de cuisine will be in place at Elizabeth by April 8, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that all of Regan's ducks will be in a row by then. For now, the Michelin-starred chef is keeping details scarce.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Location: Goose Island, 923 W. Weed Street, website

Key Players: John Stage

Projected Opening: late April

The wait for Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is almost over as an announcement came just the other day that the popular Northeast barbecue chain will open late next month. Though many elements and menu items will be familiar to fans of the other locations, each location includes unique items not found at any other.

Q-Tine

Location: Logan Square, 2339 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Key Players: Ron DiNella

Projected Opening: First quarter of 2015

Q-Tine is built out and "getting near the goal line," according to owner Ron DiNella. The marriage of poutine with southern barbecue was anticipated to open earlier this year on that hot Logan Square block.

de Quay

Location: Lincoln Park, 2470 N. Lincoln Avenue

Key Players: David de Quay, Terry McNeese

Projected Opening: April 17

After initially looking to open last spring, David de Quay's Indonesian-Dutch restaurant is anticipating an April 17 launch. He's brought on Terry McNeese (Henri), who will handle the front of house and beverages. De Quay has already set his menu and hours of operation. He just needs to tweak a few things before unveiling his passion project to Chicago.

C Fish House

Location: River North, 20 W. Kinzie Street

Key Players: David Flom, Bill Montagne

Projected Opening: Second quarter of 2015

The Chicago Cut guys appear to be oh so close to unveiling C Fish House, their seafood place in the former Keefer's space, but won't give details on. It should be very soon as they're hiring staff and have already announced Bill Montagne as the head chef.

PrimE & Provisions

Location: River North, 222 N. LaSalle Street

Key Players: DineAmic Group

Projected Opening: late April, early May

Prime & Provisions, DineAmic Group's (Siena Tavern) forthcoming steakhouse at the intersection of LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive, is a massive, 12,000 sq-foot space that will seat nearly 300 guests inside and another 50 outside. The beef sourced will be prime, Heritage Black Angus and will be aged in the restaurant's own dry-aging room and be surrounded by Himalayan rock salt. The intended impression is of a supper club from the 1920s, but the hope is to still be approachable. Once opened, the restaurant will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m.

Remington's

Location: Millennium Park, 20 N. Michigan Avenue, website

Key Players: Todd Stein, Doug Dunlay, Josh Rutherford

Projected Opening: May 5

Remington's gutted the 6,200 sq-foot space that used to house Caffé Baci and put Todd Stein (The Florentine, Piccolo Sogno Due) in place to head the kitchen. Stein is focusing on locally sourced ingredients with an American-style focus for daily lunch and dinner as well as weekend brunch. The front of the restaurant will feature retractable floor-to-ceiling windows giving people a great view of Millennium Park.