Museum of Contemporary Art’s New Restaurant By Lula Cafe Owner Gets A Name

Marisol is the name of the under-construction restaurant inside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Streeterville. Jason Hammel—who closed Lula Cafe in Logan Square for one day today as part of the day without a woman protests—has shared a few more details about his second restaurant with a few media outlets.

The restaurant is still on track for a summer opening—either June or July. It’s named after a 1960s sculptor that spent time in New York. Hammel told Food & Wine that Marisol Sol Escobar spoke only a few words, preferring to express herself through her art. She died last year at age 85. Marisol, as she was simply known, hung out with Andy Warhol, the Tribune pointed out. The paper also noted that Hammel likes names inspired by artists. Lula is short for actress Talullah Bankhead, while his shuttered Pilsen restaurant, Nightwood, is named after a book by Djuna Barnes.

The space will have room for 125, and it will have a bar and private dining room, according to a news release. There’s also space for laptoppers, and they’ll offer carry outs. Weekend brunch will have a shared plates format.

Hammel also provided a preview of three menu items. One is a stuffed shrimp dish inspired by his grandmother who died in December. Another dish uses dry-aged beef, spring onions, and black currants. A swordfish dish is prepped with sunflower and English peas. Hammel’s hyper-seasonal menu should somehow mix in with the museum’s mission, according to a new release. Stay tuned for details.

The restaurant is part of $16 million in renovations for the MCA.