Chinese Stalwart MingHin Cuisine Plans Two-Floor South Loop Outpost

An essential Chinese mini-chain plans large new South Loop spot

MingHin Cuisine, a longtime former Eater 38 Chinatown favorite that’s expanded to three more Chicagoland locations, appears to be planning a large new South Loop spot for its next venture — which could include Japanese food. Management applied for a liquor license for the first two floors at 1232-34 S. Michigan Avenue and the second floor is interestingly under the name MingHin Japanese. Management has yet to respond to email and phone inquiries and additional information is not yet available, so stay tuned for more intel.

New owner resurrects a Lincoln Park sports bar favorite

One of Lincoln Park’s best sports bars is officially back under new ownership. Lucky’s Sandwich Company owner John Donnelly says he re-opened Racine Plumbing on Labor Day, bringing the bar back from the dead in its longtime home at 2642 N. Lincoln Avenue. Donnelly has yet to reveal his full menus and beer list, but Instagram posts advertise a few new cocktails, including the tequila-based “Area 51” with watermelon, mint, lime, sparkling wine, and a smoked salt rim.

Paul Kahan’s acclaimed new French restaurant now serves brunch

Cafe Cancale — the latest hit for legendary chef Paul Kahan and One Off Hospitality — now offers brunch service in Wicker Park. The restaurant’s coastal French cuisine shows up during Sunday brunch in a variety of sweet or savory crepes and gallettes, baked goods, entrees and eggs including trout koulubiac with creme fraiche gribiche. There’s plenty of other seafood such as oysters Rockefeller and the seafood tower “Cancale plateau.”

This Chicago sushi restaurant now offers $45, 45-minute omakase

And finally, omakase has the deserved reputation of being a lengthy and expensive multi-course sushi experience, but one Chicago restaurant will break the mold by offering it for just $45 and advertises that it’ll take just 45 minutes to eat 10 courses. Sushi-San’s menu will include nigiri and sashimi in limited seating at its sushi bar seven days a week from 4-11 p.m. starting Monday, the Tribune first reported. Customers at the River North restaurant can also add three sake pairings for an additional $15.