A Family-Owned Filipino Restaurant Should Soon Open in Wicker Park

Wicker Parkers will soon get lumpia, pork belly bao, and more Filipino dishes in the former Birchwood Kitchen space on North Avenue. Cebu, a family-owned spot from three siblings, is slated for an early March opening at 2211 W. North Avenue.

The restaurant comes from Philippines natives and siblings Marlon Tan, Cybill Marie Tan, and Malvin Cydric Tan. It’s named for their hometown — Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippines — according to a news release. They had previously hoped to open it in November.

The siblings are still putting together the menu, but expect the Filipino Spanish-Chinese staples lumpia (fried spring rolls), lechon manok (spit-roasted chicken) with soy vinegar sauce, kinilaw (Filipino-style ceviche), adobong calamari, and halo-halo for dessert. Bao buns filled with humba braised pork belly are also among the dishes teased on its website. Alcohol service is also in the works.

The restaurant will make ample use of the former Americano 2211 and Birchwood Kitchen space, including the back patio that was popular in the warmer months. It will seat 46 in the dining room, eight at the bar, and 50 in the backyard. Americano 2211 last called the space home before it shuttered in July 2017.

Stay tuned for more details in time for the opening.