Jellyfish’s seven-year run in Gold Coast will soon end, as the Pan Asian restaurant and lounge is about to be replaced by a new lounge and restaurant from the same owners. Stockton Restaurant and Lounge should open in mid- to late-September at 1009 N. Rush Street. The Stockton will be larger than Jellyfish as ownership added the upstairs floor that housed men’s clothier Scoop NYC.
Stockton will have more of an organic and throwback feel, said co-owner Josh Carl. Jellyfish had a sleek and modern design. Carl and team are adding a living wall, Chicago brick, and more nostalgic finishes. He described the space as a multi-pronged entertainment venue, a place where groups can hang out and hear conversation. But it’s also a place to hear a live band or DJ. The lounge will feature premium bottle service to cater to the Rush and Division crowds. Taking over upstairs doubled ownership’s space.
Management will bring back five to six sushi rolls from Jellyfish’s menu as an homage. Other than that, they’ve redesigned the menu and hired chef Gerardo Martinez who worked more or less across the street at Maple & Ash. New dishes include truffle burrata, barbecue baos, Korean barbecue short ribs, and lobster macaroni. Seafood towers are trendy around town, and Carl touted the Stockton’s new tower which comes in two sizes stacked with lobster, oysters, king crab, and jumbo gulf shrimp. They’ll also have vegan plates including pasta and spinach edamame hummus. Jellyfish didn’t offer a full weekend brunch, but Stockton will have a new weekend menu with items like cinnamon roll pancakes.
Carl tells a story about how former Bulls basketball player Jimmy Butler came in — before he was an All Star — and camped out behind Jellyfish’s sushi counter. Jellyfish became a celebrity spot for other folks including Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder and Coldplay. Carl wants the Stockton to continue that vibe of giving celebrities and high rollers a place to let their hair down without worry about being public spectacles.
At the same, the remodel and new menu are designed to expand the restaurant’s customer base. Passers-by could easily miss Jellyfish while walking down Rush Street, as its signage isn’t huge or super visible. Stockton’s signage will be more visible which could attract more customers.
The venue’s name has nothing to do with John Stockton, the NBA Hall of Fame point guard who played for Utah. It’s a callback to Julia Stockton Rush. Her husband was Dr. Benjamin Rush. He signed the Declaration of Independence and is also the street and hospital’s namesake.
Carl co-owns the restaurant with partner Joseph De Vito. For Carl, it was time to try something new, a place for elevated food, chic surroundings, and fun music. Jellyfish could close by the end of the week.
“It’s would be a little more bittersweet if we were going under or something,” Carl said. “But the opportunity to take it up to the next level is something special.”