Chicago’s Getting Two Greek Restaurants From the Suburban Avli Team

While 2017 saw Sumi Robata Bar close to end a five-year run in River North, there’s now news of a promising replacement restaurant. Chef Louie Alexakis, the owner of Avli Restaurant — an acclaimed Greek spot in suburban Winnetka that begot a more-casual spin-off in 2016 — is taking over the space. Alexakis plans on opening another Greek restaurant this summer at 702 N. Wells Street, according to a spokesperson.

Alexakis hasn’t shared the restaurant’s name — it hasn’t been finalized — but the spokesperson shared that the new restaurant will feature five dining areas, including two outdoor spaces. It’s part of a grander scheme for Alexakis who is starting his own restaurant company. No, that name hasn’t been finalized either. Meanwhile, he’s working on opening a second Chicago restaurant at an undisclosed location in Lincoln Park. That unnamed restaurant will be more intimate compared to the River North location and more focused on the neighborhood crowd. They’re also targeting a summer opening in Lincoln Park.

Avli

Chicagoans may know Alexakis from his time as GM at Greek Islands, the Greektown mainstay on Halsted Street. The original Avli opened in 2009 and has grown to become one of the best Greek restaurants in the Chicago area.

The spokesperson said they’ll share more information next month, so brave the cold and come back in February for some updates.