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Maggie Daley Park Restaurant Delayed Longer, Mercadito's Mezcal Bar, More Intel

Plus, another barbecue champion may open a Chicago restaurant and Sean Penn visits a Wicker Park dive

Maggie's at the Park Rendering
Maggie's at the Park Rendering
SPACE Architects

—Downtown tourist attraction Maggie Daley Park has a skating ribbon but still no restaurant, and it will reportedly stay that way until at least 2017. The Tribune reports that the restaurant, dubbed Maggie's at the Park by operators Four Corners Tavern Group, is further delayed until at least next year due to a battle over design changes and legal implications. It was supposed to open early this year.

—On the heels of Mezcaleria Las Flores opening next to Johnny's GrillMercadito turned its downstairs bar, Double A, into a mezcal-focused lounge with a spruced up interior named La Mez Agave Lounge. Opening to the public on Friday, it serves more than 80 mezcals as well as cocktails by the Tippling Bros. Check out a photo below.

La Mez Agave Lounge

Photo: Jason Fuller/Mercadito

Myron Mixon, the three-time world champion barbecue chef and star of the TV show "BBQ Pitmasters," could open a restaurant in Wrigleyville. DNAinfo reports that renovations are underway at 3801 N. Clark St. for an eatery named Smoke Show Barbecue, and that "a public announcement of the partnership is expected in the next couple weeks."

—Actor, director, activist, and El Chapo lightning rod Sean Penn made a stealth visit to longtime Wicker Park dive Phyllis' Musical Inn on Monday, according to a post on the bar's Facebook page that was first noticed by DNAinfo. Ownership isn't revealing much about it.

Sean Penn Phyllis' Musical Inn

Photo: Facebook/Phyllis' Musical Inn

Maple & Ash continues to stockpile talent, as former Sixteen pastry chef Aya Fukai has landed at the hot Gold Coast steakhouse and lounge, according to the Tribune. Fukai, who worked with Maple chef Danny Grant at Ria, exited the two-Michelin-starred Trump Tower restaurant in December.

Public House underwent a stealth renovation in January and February without closing, replacing two bars, the deck and remodeling much of the interior.

Maggie Daley Park

337 East Randolph Street, , IL 60601 (312) 552-3000 Visit Website

Phyllis' Musical Inn

1800 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 486-9862

Public House

400 North State Street, , IL 60654 (312) 265-1240 Visit Website

Mercadito

108 West Kinzie Street, , IL 60654 (312) 329-9555 Visit Website

Maple & Ash

8 West Maple Street, , IL 60610 (312) 944-8888 Visit Website