The Most Anticipated Chicago New Restaurants, Fall 2015

With fall right around the corner, we're gearing up for another round of new restaurants popping up all over town. Check out what's coming in the next few months with Eater Chicago's Most Anticipated Fall Opening Report. A new Grant Achatz project and a world famous fried chicken shop are just a few of the things to look forward to so start planning now if you want to snag a table at one of the following places.

Roister

Address: 951 W. Fulton Market

Projected opening: Fall

Grant Achatz's new restaurant with Nick Kokonas inches closer to completion. Details are still scarce but it'll be located in the former iNG space and The Aviary's executive chef Andrew Brochu will lead the kitchen. Expect a casual atmosphere with communal dining and foods cooked on an open hearth.

[Photo: Ashok Selvam]

Swift & Sons

Address: 1000 W. Fulton Market

Projected opening: October

Despite a recent name change, Boka Group's modern steakhouse Swift & Sons is on track for a fall opening. The restaurant pays homage to Chicago meatpackers Philip Armour and Gustavus Swift with a menu of locally-sourced cuts of "boutique beef," ranging from bone-in filets and porterhouses to A5 wagyu. Chris Pandel is in charge of the food while desserts will be handled by pastry chef Meg Galus and include a rotating selection of seasonal soufflés.

[Photo: Facebook]

Duck Duck Goat

Address: 857 W. Fulton Market

Projected opening: November

Stephanie Izard's Chinese-influenced restaurant is on schedule for a late fall opening in Fulton Market. She's done plenty of traveling overseas to prepare and diners can look forward to handmade noodles and dumplings when it arrives. Izard also hopes to have a takeout window ready before the restaurant is finished that will serve Taiwanese street food.

[Photo: Facebook]

GreenRiver

Address: 259 E. Erie St.

Projected opening: September

Danny Meyer and the team behind New York's acclaimed cocktail bar The Dead Rabbit are set to unleash their highly-anticipated collaboration in Streeterville. The bar and restaurant, which is located inside a Northwestern Outpatient Medical Building, celebrates legendary Irish-Americans who helped transform the city after the Great Fire. Cocktails will be broken into eight sections—grouped by the raw materials used in distillation—and the spirit list will feature an extensive selection of whisky alongside 12 beers on tap. Executive chef Aaron Lirette (Celeste, Acadia) will put out dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients like a Slagel Farms pork terrine with housemade mustard and greens.

[Photo: Huge Galdones]

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Address: 847 W. Fulton Market

Projected opening: November

The famous Memphis chain is coming to Fulton Market this fall. Its fried chicken has garnered countless accolades thanks to a secret family recipe that produces perfectly golden-brown skin and juicy interior flecked with cayenne pepper. With more than 60 years of tradition behind it, Gus's is set to take the chicken scene by storm when it opens. And guess, what? The Chicago location is special because they will serve alcohol.

[Photo: Facebook]

Cruz Blanca

Address: 900 W. Randolph St.

Projected opening: Fall

Brewpubs are all the rage these days and Rick Bayless is getting on the action with his new Restaurant Row project. The foray will include a 10-barrel brewing system, tasting room and growler program. Always one to push boundaries, Bayless has said the restaurant will be a "completely new concept that you've never seen before."

[Photo: Ashok Selvam]

Maple & Ash

Address: 8 W. Maple

Projected opening: September

The Gold Coast steakhouse is nearing its debut and ready to bring more beef to hungry Chicagoans. The star of the show will be the flame-grilled meats cooked over a wood and coal hearth by executive chef David Ochs, but the beverages aren't taking a back seat. James Beard Award-winning sommelier Belinda Chang is returning to Chicago after a stint in New York to build a "serious wine program" fit for a classic steakhouse.

[Photo: Facebook]

Monteverde

Address: 1020 W. Madison St.

Projected opening: Fall

Sarah Grueneberg's first venture since leaving Spiaggia will have her cooking Italian again but otherwise be a far cry from the Michelin-starred restaurant. The spot will be a more laid back experience and focus on pastas from the country's various regions as well as modern takes on the classics with a nod to her German and Texan roots. Rounding out the menu is a global wine list and housemade frozen desserts such as sorbet and ice cream.

[Photo: Loopnet]

El Che Bar

Address: 845 W. Washington Blvd.

Projected opening: Late fall

John Manion's follow-up to the popular La Sirena Clandestina is an Argentinean-inspired bar and restaurant. The focus will be on wood-fired meats coming from a custom-made hearth and Manion hopes the vibe will transport guests back to another time and place.

Packed

Address: 1321 E. 57^th St.

Projected opening: September

Dumplings are getting reimagined at Mike Sheerin's fast-casual shop in Hyde Park. Instead of traditional Asian flavors, he'll be steaming up interesting options like French onion soup, pastrami and king crab dumplings. The menu will change seasonally to highlight locally-sourced ingredients.

[Photo: Facebook]

Latinicity

Address: 108 N. State St.

Projected opening: October

Celebrity chef Richard Sandoval is launching his massive Latin food emporium in Block 37. The 22,000-square-foot space will house 12 food and drink stalls, a full restaurant and a full bar. Similar to Eataly, it'll have everything from sandwich, grill and salad stations to juice, coffee and pastry bars for guests to walk around and check out. It's the largest of Sandoval's projects to date and will undoubtedly be a hot attraction when it opens in October.

[Photo: Marc Teer]

Band of Bohemia

Address: 4710 N. Ravenswood Ave.

Projected opening: Fall

An upscale brewpub from two former Alinea vets is headed to Ravenswood in the next few months. Craig Sindelar and Michael Carroll's 6,000-square-foot "culinary brewhouse" concept is aiming to be where diners can get nice wine, unique beers and fine dining all in one spot. Beers will be listed on the menu with suggested food pairings and while an executive chef has yet to be announced, the food will be globally-inspired and more than just the typical wings and burgers.

[Photo: Facebook]

APPELLATION

Address: 5212 N. Clark St.

Projected opening: October

The fourth location of Pastoral will be its largest opening to-date. The 3,800 square-foot space will be arranged into separate, intimate sections where guests can expect attentive service while shopping for specialty cheeses, wines, charcuterie and other products. Appellation, a 75-seat wine bar and restaurant, is also slated to launch inside the store and will be led by Chef Jessica Williams, a veteran of Birchwood Kitchen and former Pastoral cheesemonger. The menu is still in the works but promises to be simple and straight-forward, focusing on “rustic, seasonally driven” dishes.

[Photo courtesy of Pastoral]

Queen Mary

Address: 2125 W. Division St.

Projected opening: November

Heisler Hospitality is reviving a Division Street bar that's been closed since 1975. Queen Mary will be a cocktail-focused tavern featuring drinks inspired by the British Royal Navy such as grog and a tea-for-the-table shared cocktail.

[Photo: Facebook]

Beatrix

Address: 671 N. St Clair St.

Projected opening: October

Lettuce Entertain You's all-day spot is getting a second location inside the former Cicchetti space. The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer the same favorites on the current menu as well as the addition of hot and cold food bars and on-the-go choices.

[Photo: Marc Much]

Shake Shack

Address: 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, IL

Projected opening: Fall

The third Chicago location of the massively popular New York burger chain is coming to Old Orchard mall out in Skokie. The restaurant joins a number of new places that have recently opened in the shopping center and offers North Shore residents a chance to try Danny Meyer's famous burgers, shakes and custards.

[Photo: Malls.com]

Baker Miller General

Address: 4642 N. Francisco Ave.

Projected opening: October

For their next project, Dave and Megan Miller are expanding into Ravenswood with a "general store." It won't quite be another Baker Miller but instead sell produce, dairy, meats and other housemade food items. There will also be a hot food bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner each day with a rotating menu.

[Photo: DNAinfo]

Dos Urban Cantina

Address: 2829 W. Armitage Ave.

Projected opening: Fall

Drawing on the experiences gained from working at Topolobampo, husband-and-wife duo Brian Enyart and Jennifer Jones are opening their own Mexican-inspired restaurant in Logan Square. The two spent years at Rick Bayless' famous spot but now have found a location to share their interpretation of Mexican cuisine, which promises to offer "bigger, bolder flavors."

[Photo: Facebook]

Shophouse

Address: 22-24 W. Jackson Blvd.

Projected opening: November

Chipotle's fast-casual Asian concept is set for a Loop opening in November. There are currently 10 locations in Los Angeles and the Washington D.C. area serving the company's take on Southeast Asian cuisine. Like the counter service at Chipotle, customers will be able to choose a base (rice, chilled noodles, salad) and customize it with protein (chicken satay, steak laab, pork & chicken meatballs, tofu), veggies, sauce and other toppings.

[Photo: Facebook]

Pizza Barra

Address: 3011 Butterfield Rd., Oak Brook, IL

Projected opening: September

Chicagoans know their pizza but Rich Labriola's new spot will throw even more variety into the mix with its ciabatta-style pies. He's partnering with executive chef Chris Macchia (Coco Pazzo, The Florentine) to bring a unique style to Oak Brook in the fall. The pies are cooked at a lower temperature for longer times than traditional Neapolitan pizzas to produce a crisp and airy crust, and toppings will change with the seasons. In addition, the restaurant will also offer classic deep dish and thin crust options.

[Photo: Facebook]

Cotton Duck

Address: 937 N. Damen Ave.

Projected opening: Fall

James Beard-nominated chef Dominic Zumpano is at the helm of a hybrid restaurant/art gallery that will rotate menus with each exhibit. Zumpano, previously at PM Prime in suburban Highwood, was nominated in 2009 for Best Chef: Midwest for his work at Umami Moto in Milwaukee. His latest project promises to be unlike any other dining experience in town and the exhibits are expected to switch seasonally.

[Photo courtesy of Cotton Duck]