Oak + Char Appears Finally Closed After Legal Battles

The lights have remained dimmed at Oak + Char for almost a week without service, prompting the notion that the restaurant has finally closed. A web of lawsuits had previously ensnarled the River North restaurant that together with changes in ownership left the future of the two-year-old restaurant in jeopardy.

There’s no signage at the restaurant indicating a closure, but since last week the phones have been disconnected and OpenTable is no longer accepting reservations. Likewise, Yelp users also report the location has closed.

Oak + Char, which opened in October 2014, bought in early to preparing food on an open fire. Wood-burning hearths are one of the biggest trends in Chicago restaurants right now, used at Maple & Ash and Leña Brava, among others.

There was writing on the wall for Oak + Char. BlitzLake mentioned opening a new restaurant in the current space after closing the existing one. Messages to BlitzLake, the real estate team of David Blitz and Jeff Lake that also owns a part of Untitled, went unreturned. The group took majority ownership of Oak + Char earlier this year after buying out the father-and-son duo of Arthur and Tyler Mendoza's shares. If Blitz or Lake reveal the future plans for the space, this story will be updated.