Chicago’s Long-Awaited Nobu West Loop Is Finally Slated To Open This Year

Nobu Chicago is finally slated to open this year

The long-awaited Chicago location of Nobu, the renowned Japanese restaurant and hotel brand backed by Robert De Niro, is finally slated to open on Randolph Row this year, chef Nobu Matsuhisa said in an interview with UK’s The Week. Word of Nobu coming to Chicago first broke in 2013, but a ceremonial groundbreaking didn’t happen until June 2016 and construction stopped in late 2017 and started again in May 2018. Reps haven’t responded to inquiries by press time so stay tuned for updates.

A Taco Bell near Loyola could become boozy

Loyola is slated to be the next Chicago neighborhood to get a boozy Taco Bell. Ownership of an existing Rogers Park location at 6460 N. Sheridan Road — basically across the street from Loyola University’s campus — applied for a liquor license. The first Taco Bell Cantina, which serves freezes with liquor as well as beer and wine, opened in Wicker Park in September 2015 and others have since opened in the Loop, Lincoln Park, and Logan Square.

Eater Chicago’s Restaurant of the Year could open a rooftop bar

Pacific Standard Time, Eater Chicago’s 2018 Restaurant of the Year, may be adding a rooftop patio. Owners Erling Wu-Bower and the One Off Hospitality team applied for liquor licenses for a rooftop at the River North address, but a rep says there is “nothing to confirm at this time.” Stay tuned.

Detroit-style pizzeria is exiting the Loop’s Revival Food Hall

And finally, Detroit-style pizza specialist Union Squared announced on social media that it’s Revival Food Hall location will close after service on Friday in order to “go all in” on its Evanston and Wrigleyville spots. Revival reps haven’t yet revealed if a different vendor will replace it in the essential Loop food hall.