Summer is almost in the books so it's time to look ahead to fall. Elevated tasting menus, veggie-focused concepts and notable openings in Pilsen and Evanston are just some of things to get excited about. Starting tracking these spots now or you'll be waiting weeks to dine at the next big hit.
Elske
Address: 1350 W. Randolph St.
Projected opening: November
Dream team couple David (Blackbird) and Anna (The Publican) Posey are setting their sights on (where else?) Randolph Row for arguably the biggest opening of the season. In a time when fine dining costs are steadily increasing, Elske will offer an affordable 8-course tasting menu as well as a la carte options inside the 55-seat space. Look for Posey to cook New American cuisine with Scandinavian influences and expect the restaurant to be hot hot hot when it makes its debut.
Publican Anker
Address: 1576 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Projected opening: Fall
One Off Hospitality Group continues its march toward Wicker Park dominance with a spinoff of its wildly popular Publican restaurant. The group is completely renovating the former Francesca's Forno space and turning it into a "rendition of the perfect bar room." While the Publican is best known for its pork-laden dishes, the menu here will lean toward seasonal veggies, shellfish and other kinds of bar bites including a burger. And of course there will be plenty of booze, ranging from classically-brewed beers to affordable, off-the-beaten-path wines.
Bad Hunter
Address: 802 W. Randolph St.
Projected opening: September
Despite the multitude of restaurants on Randolph Street, few give vegetarians a reason to be excited. That changes this fall when Heisler Hospitality's veggie-driven concept arrives next to the group's watering hole, Lone Wolf. Chef Dan Snowden (Nico Osteria) will cook seasonable fare on a wood grill in order to bring out the most flavors, while guests sip on low-alcohol content cocktails and escape the hustle and bustle of the city by relaxing in an English garden-inspired space.
Kitsune
Address: 4229 N. Lincoln Ave.
Projected opening: October
Iliana Regan has had quite an eventful year already with the short-lived Bunny, The Micro Bakery, but she shows no signs of slowing down. Her next concept—a casual Japanese izakaya—has been oft-delayed and should hopefully arrive in the coming weeks. The small restaurant won't just have a singular focus but instead feature items like ramen, wagyu shortrib and other locally-sourced ingredients with twists. Diners will also be able to enjoy a $50 washoku family-style menu that emphasizes seasonality.
Haisous
Address: 1800 S. Carpenter St.
Projected opening: Late fall
Argyle Street is a mecca for Vietnamese cuisine but Thai and Danielle Dang (Embeya) are venturing to the South Side for their passion project. The casually chic Pilsen restaurant is an ode to Dang's roots and will have a unique style of cooking by utilizing clay pots over open flames. Diners can expect specialties like barbecue grilled prawns, charred pork cheeks, whole-fried fishes and pho on the weekends. Complementing the food will be a beverage program composed of cocktails, cider, beer and lots of bubbly wine.
Temporis
Address: 933 N. Ashland Ave.
Projected opening: October
One of fall's most lofty openings will be an intimate, 20-seat fine dining restaurant from two Les Nomades vets. Chefs Sam Plotnick and Evan Fullerton will balance flavors and textures to prepare eight-to ten-course seasonal tasting menus that are "a simple yet refined representation of the ingredients." The duo have hosted pop-up previews over the summer, letting guests sample dishes like king crab (fennel, parsnip, smoked trout roe), rabbit three ways (tandoori spice, carrot, greens) and foie gras (passion fruit, black sesame, canelé).
Austin Baker's Chinese Restaurant
Address: 905 W. Randolph St.
Projected opening: October
The man behind last year's surprise hit Bar Marta will heat up the West Loop in a different manner come October. Restaurateur Austin Baker is thinking big and his 220-seat, bi-level Chinese spot will focus on Sichuan cuisine. The ground floor is a fine dining affair that can accommodate 70 guests in the main area alongside two private rooms devoted to ticketed, family-style feasts. Upstairs, the 150-seat space will be more casual and consist of a cocktail bar, buffet stations, dim sum carts and more. It's safe to say Chicago has never seen a Chinese restaurant quite this ambitious before.
Noyane/Baptiste & Bottle/Il Tavolino
Address: 101 E. Erie St.
Projected opening: October
The Conrad Chicago has high aspirations when its doors open next month and celebrity chef Richard Sandoval is hoping to deliver with an eclectic collection of restaurants. Guests will be able to drop into the all-day Italian café, Il Tavolino, for a selection of panini, pizzas and pastas, or enjoy classic American cuisine and a bourbon-focused bar program at Baptiste & Bottle. Up top, the hotel's rooftop experience, Noyane, serves contemporary Japanese fare including sushi, sakes and top-shelf cocktails. Sandoval has done a fine job at covering all of the bases and we're sure that even the pickiest eaters will find something satisfying among the various choices.
The Barn
Address: 1016 Church St., Evanston
Projected opening: September
Evanston dining has never been better than it is right now, thanks in part to Amy Morton. The follow-up to hugely successful Found is a meat-centric tribute to her father, the late steakhouse king Arnie Morton. It'll be a throwback experience with a straightforward, three-part menu from chef Nicole Pederson that includes dishes prepared tableside. As for the name? The restaurant, which will only be accessible through an alleyway, is in a 19th century building that previously housed a horse barn.
Moody Tongue Tasting Room
Address: 2136 S. Peoria St.
Projected opening: Fall
Brewmaster Jared Rouben has made Moody Tongue one of the city's premier craft breweries in just two years' time. Now the former Goose Island vet is expanding his company with a 75-seat tasting room. Taps will pour 12 year-round and limited-release beers but instead of usual bar snacks, the food will only consist of fresh oysters and cake slices. Rouben explains it's because they're "indulgent yet in completely different ways—and enjoyable without overwhelming the palate."
Terra & Vine
Address: 1701 Maple Ave., Evanston
Projected opening: September
Moviegoers heading to Century Theatre in Evanston will soon have a ballyhooed new spot to grab a bite before the show. Alpana Singh is taking on Mediterranean this time and has enlisted Andrew Graves, an alum of The Alinea Group, to lead the kitchen. He'll put Italian touches to the rustic menu that'll offer options such as roast chicken, pastas, pizzas and more. A majority of the cooking will be done on an open-hearth grill while a spacious patio can accommodate 70 people in addition to the 115-seat dining room.
Entente
Address: 3056 N. Lincoln Ave.
Projected opening: Late September/Early October
Fine dining is going for a casual approach when Entente hits Lakeview in the fall. Fujimura Hospitality (Arami, SmallBar) closed Japanese restaurant Ani earlier this year in order to reconcept and has put Brian Fisher, whose previous stints include Schwa and Saved By The Max, in charge. He'll present guests with a la carte selections of game meats, offal, charcuterie and more in addition to a reservation-only tasting menu. Rounding out the experienced team is pastry chef Mari Katsumura (Grace, Acadia) and beverage director Angie Silberberg (Cochon Volant, Soho House), who will pair the food with craft cocktails, local craft brews, wines and sake.