West Town Powerhouse Beatnik To Open a Downtown Riverfront Patio Location

After less than eight months, Pearl Brasserie is closing on Friday to make way for a new owner along the Chicago River. The brasserie represented a revamp for the space which debuted in 2014 as Pearl Tavern at 180 N. Upper Wacker Drive. Bonhomme Hospitality Group purchased the restaurant and its 120-seat patio and plans to convert the part of the space to a spinoff of Beatnik, its Mediterranean restaurant that opened in September in West Town.

The new owners will keep the space split with separate names. Cafe Bonhomme will feature breakfast, lunch, and happy hour specials. The patio portion will be called Beatnik on the River and both should open this spring, according to the restaurant’s newly launched social media accounts.

While the Tribune reported most of Pearl’s employees will retain their jobs, chef Jason Paskewitz is not among them. The former Blanchard and Rustic House chef is acclaimed for his French cooking. Most recently, he consulted on the menu design for Old Grounds Social, the relaunch of Barn & Company in Lincoln Park. Old Grounds is owned by 8 Hospitality, the same company that sold Pearl to Bonhomme.

Paskewitz didn’t have anything to share about his departure, only that he’ll reach out when he know his next move.