Modern Greek Mega-Hit Avli Takes Over Vacant Steakhouse in Lakeshore East

Greek sensation Avli is opening its third Chicago location as it’s taking over the space recently vacated by III Forks overlooking the Lakeshore East development. This location will be operated in tandem with Magellan Development Group, the food-service company that owns the space. Avli has locations in Lincoln Park, River North, and suburban Winnetka. The new location is slated for an April opening at 180 N. Field Boulevard.

During the pandemic, Avli’s River North location kept busy thanks to sidewalk seating and a patio. The restaurant proved as a reliable and comfy environment for dining during COVID-19. The forthcoming restaurant, dubbed Avli in Lakeshore East, has a rooftop deck for outdoor seating and heated cabanas for all-season dining. At 13,000 square feet, the indoor space will house two stone fireplaces, a huge U-shaped bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Ownership hopes to make diners feel like they’ve been whisked away to a town on the Greek coast.

The menu will have more of a Mediterranean focus than the other restaurants with a wider seafood selection and more “healthy dishes,” according to a spokesperson. Still, fans of the growing modern Greek empire will be able to find most of their favorites — like Avli’s wildly popular kataifi prawns — at the new location.

Chef and owner Louie Alexakis originally founded Avli in suburban Winnetka, where he found himself with a massive hit — and a crew that includes longtime Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis.

Avli’s annoucement foretells a busy year at Magellan, which is also involved in a nearby project with the world-famous Alinea Group. Alinea, Chicago’s only three-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, say they’d been in discussions on endeavor with the development group for several years. They plan to open two new restaurants inside St. Regis Chicago, which likely won’t be complete until the third quarter of 2021.

Downtown steakhouse III Forks permanently closed this month after nearly a decade on Field Boulevard. Representatives pointed to the pandemic as the cause.

Avli in Lakeshore East, 180 N. Field Boulevard, Scheduled to open in late April.