8 Updates On New Chicago-Area Restaurants Coming Soon

LINCOLN PARK— Crews have begun construction on Colectivo, the new outpost of the Milwaukee-area coffee shop chain. It will be the chain's 17th, and first outside of Wisconsin. The revamped space at 2530 N. Clark St. will feature a patio, floor-to-ceiling windows, an indoor/outdoor garden room and skylights. There's also an outdoor fire pit, and they're aiming for a fall opening.

Courtesy of Colectivo Coffee

[Rendering: Colectivo]

WEST LOOP— The folks from The Lunatic, the Lover & The Poet tell Chicago they will really open in August at 736 W. Randolph St. They'll have 21 wines on tap, a 15-seat bar and a 40-seat dining area. They'll serve small plates.

WEST LOOP— El Che Bar, from La Sirena Clandestina owner John Manion, has started staff training. Hopefully that means an opening will come soon for the hearth-centric restaurant/bar at 845 W. Washington Blvd.

WEST LAKEVIEW— 4 Star Restaurant Group's Mexican spot —the one replacing Justin's— apparently has a name. They're listed as Tuco & Blondie, according to a liquor license application.

UKRAINIAN VILLAGE— Soul food is coming to Uke Village, courtesy of Soule at 1931 W. Chicago Ave., according to DNAinfo. They're aiming for a fine-dining setting, will serve lunch and dinner, and are "praying for" an Aug. 1 opening.

LINCOLN SQUARE— Mid-July is the targeted opening for Oromo Cafe, a coffee shop with coffees from around the world. Crain's first reported about the cafe at 4703 N. Lincoln Ave.

MAYCREST— Fried seafood staple Lawrence's Fisheries is planning to open its third restaurant at 3242 W. 87th St. They're asking folks who want updates to check their social media pages.

ELMHURST— Who needs beer robots? Red Arrow Tap Room will allow guests to pour their own beer from a selection of 48 taps —as little or as much as they want. They'll open their first location later this summer at 111 E. First St. in suburban Elmhurst. They'll also serve Texas and Carolina barbecue from the owner of Sweet Freaks in Beverly.