Eater Chicago - Chicago's Restaurant and Bar Closures of 2016The Chicago Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2017-01-03T10:18:32-06:00http://chicago.eater.com/rss/stream/120746632017-01-03T10:18:32-06:002017-01-03T10:18:32-06:00Tony Mantuano’s Bar Toma Pizza Restaurant Shutters In Gold Coast
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<figcaption>Bar Toma | <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bar-toma-chicago?select=wil35KwZu__o4svnlkAsAw">Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>Staff wasn’t notified until Monday</p> <p id="UKQPfb">It’s only three days into the New Year, and there’s already another major restaurant shutter. Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Terzo Piano, River Roast) told his staff on Monday that Levy Restaurants had decided to close<strong> Bar Toma </strong>on New Year’s Eve, ending a more than five-year run across from the Water Tower just off the Mag Mile. Mantuano <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-bar-toma-closes-tony-mantuano-pizza-story.html">told the <em>Tribune</em></a> that it was a financial decision. The restaurant announced the shutter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarTomaChicago/photos/a.288541184514425.62425.210823315619546/1222451504456717/?type=3">on Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.bartomachicago.com/">its website</a> yesterday at 10 a.m., which only says “Chicago it’s been a slice! Thank you for all the memories and good times.” </p>
<p id="AZ9miA">Mantuano revamped the casual Italian restaurant back in 2015, temporarily closing the Gold Coast <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2015/8/19/9177975/bar-toma-2-0-new-menu-friday-opening">spot to focus more on pizza</a> and adding a second wood-burning oven as part of a redesign. Bar Toma debuted in 2011 as the Spiaggia owner’s foray into casual dining. He told the <em>Trib </em>that it was a “heartbreaking” decision to close. </p>
<p id="VbxSYK">The location is set back a bit from Michigan Avenue, but still benefits from plenty of tourist foot traffic and is seemingly a prime spot for a restaurant. The <em>Trib</em> speculates a successful restaurant at the location would have to feature a menu with items at a premium price point. Sounds like a prescription for another steakhouse. Parent company Levy Restaurants didn’t share what they intended for the space, only that they were considering all their options, but they “have no immediate plans.”</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2017/1/3/14153590/bar-toma-shutter-closed-tony-mantuano-gold-coast-pizza-restaurantAshok Selvam2016-12-30T09:50:04-06:002016-12-30T09:50:04-06:00Longtime River North Sushi Spot Shutters, Carol’s Pub For Sale, More Intel
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<figcaption>Sushi Naniwa on Wells Street, which is closing after service on New Year’s Eve | <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/naniwa-chicago?select=xYIT6gB0K08_gvSHgMYCgw">Yelp</a></figcaption>
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<p>Plus, Restaurant Week now includes brunch and four other things to know this New Year’s weekend</p> <p id="4p0tef">—Here’s one more to add to the too-large rash of end-of-year restaurant shutters. <strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/sushi-naniwa">Sushi Naniwa</a></strong>, the 19-year-old Japanese restaurant at 607 N. Wells St. in River North, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1573228069358931&id=120817124600040">announced on Facebook</a> that it’s closing for good after service on New Year’s Eve. The closing is the second in two years for owner Bob Bee, who shuttered his Wicker Park mainstay, <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2015/7/22/9014611/bob-san-sushi-shutter-wicker-park">Bob San on Division Street</a>, in 2015, which is now <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/harvest-moon">Harvest Moon</a>. Stay tuned for intel on what will take over the River North space, as you have two nights to visit Naniwa one last time.</p>
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<p id="avmNkY">—Intriguing business opportunity alert: You can take over (or perhaps save) one of Chicago’s most venerable dive bars, the shuttered honky tonk legend <strong>Carol’s Pub</strong>, for just $249K. <a href="https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/you-can-buy-uptowns-carols-pub-for-a-steal-122916">First noticed by Time Out Chicago</a>, the bar at 4659 N. Clark St. <a href="http://kudangroup.com/all-listings/iconic-late-hour-bar-with-exceptional-lease-in-uptown/">hit the real estate market this week at that low, low price</a> following its <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/9/26/13058428/carols-pub-closed-country-music-chicago-late-night">September shutter</a> and subsequent <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/10/3/13147710/carol-s-pub-gofundme-save-publican-anker-wicker-park-beverage-preview-intel">failed GoFundMe hail mary</a>. Who will take over the iconic divey space?</p>
<p id="tMj6nz">—<strong>Chicago Restaurant Week</strong> has a new addition this year: Brunch. 36 restaurants are offering $22 brunch deals — including stalwarts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/the-duck-inn">The Duck Inn</a> and GT Fish & Oyster — for the annual wintertime two-week marketing bonanza that begins on Jan. 27, <a href="http://chicagoist.com/2016/12/28/restaurant_week_2017_will_have_brun.php">Chicagoist reports</a>. <a href="http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/dining/chicago-restaurant-week/?sfilter=all&efilter=all&listing_keyword=&subcatid=&regionid=&amenityDbField=&maxshow=50">Click here for more info</a>.</p>
<p id="EeGreF">—Following <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/21/14038792/mcdonalds-lawsuit-extra-value-meals-suburbs-chicago-cheeseburger">last week’s news of a lawsuit</a> claiming that some Extra Value Meals at a suburban <strong>McDonald’s</strong> are actually a worse deal than buying the items individually, a second Chicagoan has filed a similar class-action suit against the world’s most-prominent fast food chain. In this suit, a woman claims that a sausage burrito meal at a McDonald’s at Randolph and Dearborn streets in The Loop is a similar bad deal and false advertising, as she was charged $5.08, when ordering the items a la carte would cost $4.97, <a href="http://cookcountyrecord.com/stories/511064072-woman-adds-second-class-action-vs-mcdonald-s-over-extra-value-meal-pricing">Cook County Record reports</a>. The suit requests "requested actual and tripled damages, plus unspecified punitive damages and attorney fees."</p>
<p id="gWvrzZ">—As DineAmic Group prepares to <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/27/14088324/bull-and-bear-closing-river-north-sports-bar-dineamic-group">shutter Bull & Bear in River North</a> after service on New Year’s Eve, it’s also preparing to open a new spot. The group behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/siena-tavern">Siena Tavern</a> is <a href="https://ca.linkedin.com/jobs/view/255038635?trk=sushi_topic_jobs_guest_button">hiring for an executive chef for a "new venue opening in River North,"</a> presumably the <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/1/13489788/siena-tavern-take-over-blackfinn-ameripub-river-north">previously-announced project</a> in the BlackFinn AmeriPub space. Ownership is still keeping the concept close to the vest, and the ad reveals very few additional details, so stay tuned.</p>
<p id="GiGLxU">—Three of Chicago’s buzziest breweries and one popular national brewery are <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161229/pilsen/duseks-board-and-beer-brew-u-thalia-hall-moody-tongue-hopewell-forbidden-root-new-belgium">joining forces for an intriguing four-week beer education and tasting series</a> at Dusek’s in Pilsen. Beginning Jan. 18, <strong>Brew U</strong> will bring together <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/moody-tongue-brewery">Moody Tongue Brewery</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/forbidden-root">Forbidden Root</a>, Hopewell Brewing Co., and New Belgium Brewing for four nights in January and February. $80 tickets, which include tastings and admission to all four nights, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516589&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketweb.com%2Ft3%2Fsale%2FSaleEventDetail%3FeventId%3D7006425%26pl%3Dduseks%26dispatch%3DloadSelectionData&referrer=eater.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fchicago.eater.com%2F2016%2F12%2F30%2F14124244%2Fsushi-naniwa-closed-shutter-carols-pub-for-sale-restaurant-week-brunch-intel" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">are available here</a>.</p>
<p id="xmp9Dm">—And finally, although Bill Kim’s <strong><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/belly-shack">Belly Shack</a></strong> <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14023874/belly-shack-bill-kim-closing-cornerstone">sadly shuttered on Christmas Eve</a>, two of its most popular dishes have already become available at one of Kim’s other restaurants. His "Belly Dog" and Boricua sandwich are on the menu at UrbanBelly Wicker Park all this week.</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/30/14124244/sushi-naniwa-closed-shutter-carols-pub-for-sale-restaurant-week-brunch-intelDaniel Gerzina2016-12-28T16:17:02-06:002016-12-28T16:17:02-06:00The 23 Biggest Restaurant Closures in Chicago in 2016
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<img alt="Cantina 1910" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WG6zNWINQexEQ4g9MpR612iDyA8=/114x0:1934x1365/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52496633/21414205992_594ce4cff6_k__1_.0.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Cantina 1910 was among the high-profile closures in 2016. | Marc Much</figcaption>
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<p>Say farewell to Itto Sushi and more of Chicago’s most-beloved restaurants</p> <p id="3I88FZ">After 34 years serving Japanese food in Lincoln Park, Juco and Keiko Hattori closed <strong>Itto Sushi</strong> in June. It was one of the oldest sushi restaurants in Chicago. The couple has since moved to Boise, Idaho to be near their daughter. Juco Hattori said he doesn’t miss running a restaurant, though he does miss a few of his loyal customers.</p>
<p id="MLwaEs">“We had many,” Hattori said.</p>
<p id="d3bAc3">Boise is one of the rare places colder than Chicago, but other than that, Hattori has settled into retirement. He still doesn’t have all his belongings from Chicago, though they’ve sold the Itto building. Condos will replace the restaurant. </p>
<p id="3WkY3f">Hattori noted how much more popular sushi is now than when Itto opened more than three decades ago. That popularity has shown in the diversity of ownership, as more and more non-native Japanese are serving sushi. That includes Thai, Korean and Chinese owners who also serve sushi alongside their native cuisines.</p>
<p id="ZwcQfp">But if you’re looking for Hattori’s recommendation for a sushi restaurant, look elsewhere. Hattori remains confident that there’s no substitute for Itto. “Everyone asks me that,” he said. “I’ve been to other restaurants, but there’s just a difference between them and my restaurant.” </p>
<p id="NL70aw">Itto is among the biggest shutters of the year. Check out the rest of Eater Chicago’s picks for biggest 2016 restaurant closures below.</p>
<ul>
<li id="M3Vlfr"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/1/6/10723088/justins-closed-sold-4-star-southport">4 Star Group Buys Justin's, Ending Bar's 31-Year Run on Southport</a></li>
<li id="IbF0PN"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/4/26/11511088/bunny-the-micro-bakery-closed-for-good-reconcept-iliana-regan">Iliana Regan's Critical Darling Bunny The Micro Bakery Is Closed For Good</a></li>
<li id="espxpL"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/3/7/11173058/tete-charcuterie-closed-randolph">West Loop's Tete Charcuterie Closes Along Randolph Restaurant Row</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Packed Dumplings Photos Gallery Hyde Park Restaurant" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/FblcE8MUDuLRZp6E7GfkAAd_n9I=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5900301/24007028300_be06143bcd_k.0.jpg">
<cite>Marc Much</cite>
<figcaption>Packed</figcaption>
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<ul>
<li id="A8Te2d"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/5/10/11651874/packed-shutter-closed-mike-sheerin-hyde-park-dumpling-shop">Packed, Mike Sheerin's Hyde Park Dumpling Shop, Shutters Four Months In</a></li>
<li id="qYfdnz"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/6/10/11902388/itto-sushi-closing-pleasant-house-pork-mindys-popup-museum-campus">Itto Sushi Closes After 34 Years in Lincoln Park</a></li>
<li id="F7piCz"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/6/23/11977358/embeya-shutter-closed-west-loop-asian-restaurant">Embeya, A Former Best New Restaurant, Shuttered Suddenly Over The Weekend</a></li>
<li id="ivGHM4"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/7/1/12079930/vivo-west-loop-closing-amk-replacing">West Loop’s 25-Year-Old Vivo Closing After Selling To Bucktown's AMK</a></li>
<li id="whjrSQ"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/7/12/12159080/analogue-logan-square-shutter-closed-cajun-cocktail-bar">Acclaimed Analogue Shutters In Logan Square Two Months After Key Staff Leaves</a></li>
</ul>
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<cite>Marc Much</cite>
<figcaption>Analogue</figcaption>
</figure>
<ul>
<li id="U1ln29"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/7/20/12237178/dinosaur-bar-b-que-closing-chicago">Barbecue Bummer: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Closing Chicago Location</a></li>
<li id="fqkodN"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/8/22/12583312/cantina-1910-closed-mexican-restaurant-andersonville-yelp">Cantina 1910, Andersonville's Ambitious Mexican Restaurant and Yelp Target, Shutters</a></li>
<li id="djiJIt"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/9/7/12835928/parthenon-chicago-greek-closed-flaming-cheese-opa">The Parthenon, Chicago’s Greektown Landmark & Flaming Cheese Creator, Has Closed</a></li>
<li id="YrBHhc"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/9/13/12904602/rose-angelis-lincoln-park-shutter-italian">Popular Lincoln Park Date Spot Rose Angelis Will Close After 25 Years</a></li>
<li id="WPnS44"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/9/26/13058428/carols-pub-closed-country-music-chicago-late-night">Carol’s Pub, The Infamous North Side Country Bar, Closed Indefinitely</a></li>
<li id="v3UBo3"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/9/28/13092096/citizen-bar-closing-river-north-rooftop">Citizen Bar, The Popular River North Rooftop Spot, Will Close Sunday</a></li>
</ul>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IN9AASAdZoFI61F7s-1YkSad_-o=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7058833/IMG_4555.JPG">
<cite>Ashok Selvam</cite>
<figcaption>The Parthenon</figcaption>
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<ul>
<li id="My8BJS"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/3/13509672/salpicon-old-town-mexican-restaurant-closing-shutter">Salpicón, Old Town’s Modern Mexican Trailblazer, Is Closing After 22 Years</a></li>
<li id="2KeaCf"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/15/13638702/naples-bakery-evergreen-park-closing">After Nearly A Century, Naples Bakery Is Closing On The South Side</a></li>
<li id="Qy4yBi"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/22/13719384/cape-code-room-drake-seafood-closing">The Drake’s Famed Cape Cod Room Will Close After 8 Decades</a></li>
<li id="zPhd2m"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/9/13902642/feast-bucktown-closing-debra-sharpe">Feast Is Closing After a 20-Year Run in Bucktown & Wicker Park</a></li>
<li id="qBzdQf"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/19/14008478/perennial-virant-closing-reconcept-paul-virant-leaving">Boka Group to Close Perennial Until Spring as Paul Virant Exits</a></li>
<li id="TGJW2G"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14023874/belly-shack-bill-kim-closing-cornerstone">Bill Kim’s Belly Shack Closing Under Western Blue Line Stop</a></li>
<li id="kziXlJ"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14017464/shutters-rosarios-shabowl-trax-cullinans-cocina-ale-syndicate-arcade">Rosario’s Italian Foods Closes After 61 Years</a></li>
<li id="3mY11q"><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/27/14088324/bull-and-bear-closing-river-north-sports-bar-dineamic-group">Bull & Bear is Closing, Ending DineAmic’s River North Sports Bar’s 10-Year Run</a></li>
</ul>
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<cite><a href="http://www.roadarch.com/signs/ilchic.html">RoadsideArchitecture.com</a></cite>
<figcaption>Rosario’s Italian Foods</figcaption>
</figure>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/28/14099292/biggest-chicago-restaurant-closures-2016Ashok Selvam2016-12-28T14:34:59-06:002016-12-28T14:34:59-06:00Más, A West Loop Modern Mexican Restaurant, Set To Close
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<figcaption>Más is closing at the end of the year in the West Loop. | Marc Much</figcaption>
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<p>No more tacos after a two-year run</p> <p id="8er5V1">Here’s news of another closure near Randolph Restaurant Row in the West Loop that was buried under the holiday hoopla. <strong>Más</strong>, the modern Mexican restaurant and bar at 800 W. Washington Blvd, will close following Saturday’s New Year’s Eve service. Ownership shared the news last week via Facebook, writing that they lost their lease after more than two years in business. <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2014/5/28/6217123/inside-mas-a-modern-mexican-spot-in-the-west-loop-opening-tonight">They opened in 2014</a>.</p>
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<p id="g8T2Iv"><a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161227/west-loop/west-loop-restaurant-ms-loses-lease-as-developer-plans-future-of-building">DNAinfo chatted </a>with a restaurant co-owner who told them new owners recently purchased the building. The menu at Más features botanas—the Mexican version of tapas—tacos, guacamole and other street food favorites. The restaurant shouldn’t be confused with the Division Street Spanish restaurant with the same name that closed back in 2008 to make room for Bangers & Lace. </p>
<p id="pAUYzy">In a cryptic comment to their Facebook fans, Más asked <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mastacoschicago/photos/pb.770724912938500.-2207520000.1482874215./1505025596175091/?type=3&theater">them to stay tuned</a>, as there’s a chance for a new location in the future. They also wrote a note of appreciation: “Thank you everyone for your kind words. Stop in and enjoy tacos + tequila one more time!” Reopening in the West Loop may be too costly, Más’ owner told DNAinfo, but a new location isn’t out of the question. </p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/28/14094112/mas-closed-mexican-restaurant-shutter-west-loop-halsted-washingtonAshok Selvam2016-12-27T12:00:12-06:002016-12-27T12:00:12-06:00Bull & Bear is Closing, Ending DineAmic’s River North Sports Bar’s 10-Year Run
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<figcaption>Bull & Bear is closing after New Year’s Eve in River North. | Dineamic Hospitality Group</figcaption>
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<p>Ownership won’t renew their lease to focus on other projects</p> <p id="CpWcvl"><strong>Bull & Bear</strong>’s<strong> </strong>lease is up in River North and the sports bar’s owners, DineAmic Hospitality Group (Siena Tavern, Public House, Prime & Provisions) won’t renew their agreement. That means Saturday’s New Year’s Eve party will mark the end of a 10-year run for the stock market-themed bar. </p>
<p id="uw84wC">Co-owner Lucas Stoioff said they learned a lot about the restaurant business and serving food while operating Bull & Bear. Business has remained successful, but Stoioff and his partners didn’t think that was sustainable with a new lease and a likely increase in rent. They’ll instead focus their efforts on their new project <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/11/1/13489788/siena-tavern-take-over-blackfinn-ameripub-river-north">inside the former BlackFinn AmeriPub</a> in River North. Stoioff isn’t spilling details just yet, but they’re shooting for a late April or an early May opening, although BlackFinn is still open.</p>
<p id="7qRyJq">This was Stoioff and DineAmic partner David Rekhson’s second project, a follow up to the now-shuttered Stone Lotus nightclub. They wanted to have a stock market-like ticker at B&B that would show beer prices which would fluctuate based on sales; more popular beer would be more expensive. But the state’s Draconian liquor laws prevented sliding beer prices and the idea was tabled. Illinois lawmakers lifted the prohibition when they <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2015/6/1/8698397/illinois-lawmakers-legalize-happy-hour">legalized happy hour in 2015</a>.</p>
<p id="7ftkNs">The stock ticker was a hook designed to attract customers, but Stoioff didn’t want the bar to come off gimmicky like an amusement park ride. They just wanted to improve the old sports bar theme. That meant avoiding frozen chicken wings and hardwood benches for a more sophisticated feel. </p>
<p id="4Z2EoZ"> “That doesn’t sound like rocket science, ’oh you want it to have better food and to be more comfortable? Whoopdeedoo,’” Stoioff said.</p>
<p id="42fb3H">As with many bar operators, Dineamic has done some maturing. They started with a nightclub and moved to a sports bar before partnering with <em>Top Chef</em> alum Fabio Viviani on the Siena Tavern restaurants. “You get older, your life changes and you start wanting something different,” Stoioff said. </p>
<p id="CsmC8Y">There’s no word on what will happen to the space after Bull & Bear vacates. Stoioff remembered criticism when they first proposed the bar before 2006. Many said the location was too far west from the center of The Loop. Now it’s a prime piece of real estate <a href="http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/20026653/162-W-Hubbard-Chicago-IL/">that’s been on the market for the last month. </a></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/27/14088324/bull-and-bear-closing-river-north-sports-bar-dineamic-groupAshok Selvam2016-12-20T16:54:26-06:002016-12-20T16:54:26-06:00Red Door, A Bucktown Favorite, Shutters After 4 Years
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<figcaption>Red Door Tavern has closed have a six-year run. | Red Door Tavern</figcaption>
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<p>Sunday was the restaurant’s last day</p> <p id="FpBpsm">After four years <strong>Red Door</strong> is done in Bucktown. The restaurant’s last service was on Sunday, according to owner/executive chef Troy Graves. <a href="http://reddoorchicago.com">Their website</a> and Facebook pages have been taken down, and they’re no longer on OpenTable. Likewise, a phone call leads to a generic voicemail greeting.</p>
<p id="Q2c0qQ">When they opened in 2012, the restaurant was a big deal for the stretch of Damen Avenue, an ambitious neighborhood spot that took classic American dishes, meshing them with international flavors and craft cocktails. Graves previously worked at Eve, the shuttered Gold Coast restaurant where Bistronomic now stands. He said he was welcoming the opportunity to avoid working on weekends and early mornings. Mezcaleria Las Flores’ co-owner Jay Schroeder came up under Graves at Red Door before moving on to work with Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill.</p>
<p id="xRUqKd">The building was a revolving door for restaurants, but Red Door provided the space with stability — until now. There’s no word what will happen to the space.</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14032806/red-door-closed-bucktown-restaurant-barAshok Selvam2016-12-20T12:30:12-06:002016-12-20T12:30:12-06:008 Chicago-Area Restaurants Closures To Know
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<figcaption>Rosario’s Italian Foods is closing after 61 years. | <a href='http://www.roadarch.com/signs/ilchic.html'>RoadsideArchitecture.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>Another batch of restaurants close before the New Year</p> <p id="2rpWpu"><em>ASHBURN— </em>After 61 years, one of Chicago’s most venerable markets is closing. <strong>Rosario’s Italian Foods</strong>, known for their house-made encased meats, will shutter on Dec. 31. <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161219/ashburn/rosarios-italian-foods-closing-neon-sign-pigs-grinder">DNAinfo first noticed</a> Rosario’s Facebook post that announced the closure at 8611 S. Pulaski Road. Looks like they’ve been slammed with orders since the news broke.</p>
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<p>With our impending closure on December 31st, we would ask that anyone wanting any food to please place an order as soon...</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rosarios-Italian-Foods-202321143133526/">Rosario's Italian Foods</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1324428390922790&id=202321143133526">Saturday, December 17, 2016</a>
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<p id="TsvYbj"><em>THE LOOP—</em><em><strong> </strong></em><strong>La Cocina Mexican Grill’s</strong> last day at 178 N. Franklin St. is on Wednesday. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/the-mexican" style="background-color: #ffffff;">The Mexican</a> restaurant’s second location on Wells is not affected. La Cocina at one point had three locations.</p>
<p id="j4s30z"><em>LINCOLN PARK— </em><strong>Shabowl</strong> quietly closed earlier this month at 844 W. Armitage Ave. after opening earlier in 2016. The Asian rice bowl place should be soon replaced with a pizzeria called Downtown Pizza.</p>
<p id="B6BHtQ"><em>LOGAN SQUARE— </em>A pair of Chicago craft breweries are in jeopardy after they lost the lease on the building they shared at 2601 W. Diversey Ave. <strong>Arcade Brewery </strong>has announced they’re going out business. <strong>Ale Syndicate</strong>, which reportedly lost its lease on the building, isn’t sure of their future, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/drink/beer/ct-arcade-brewery-shuts-down-future-unclear-for-ale-syndicate-20161219-story.html">according to the <em>Tribune</em></a><em>. </em>This will make finding these beers at bars much harder.</p>
<p id="dtJhtq"><em>MORGAN PARK— </em>They’re trying to raise money to reopen, but <strong>Cullinan’s Stadium Club </strong>has closed after the state revoked its business license. Dan Cullinan has owned the bar at 11610 S. Western Ave. since 1989, <a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161214/morgan-park/cullinans-stadium-club-closed-business-license-revoked">according to DNAinfo</a>.</p>
<p id="qwJnxo"><em>LINCOLNSHIRE— </em><strong>King’s Wharf</strong>, the restaurant inside the Chicago Marriott Lincolnshire Resort, served its last meal on Saturday in the suburbs. The restaurant had been around for 40 years and has shuttered as the hotel goes through a $25 million renovation at 10 Marriott Drive in Lincolnshire.</p>
<p id="MKIDXW"><em>DEERFIELD— </em><strong>Trax Tavern & Grill</strong>, a restaurant that lasted 15 years, closed last week at 833 Deerfield Road. A Trax manager is part a new investor group planning to open a restaurant by March inside the same building, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-dfr-trax-closing-tl-1215-20161212-story.html">according to <em>Pioneer Press.</em></a></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14017464/shutters-rosarios-shabowl-trax-cullinans-cocina-ale-syndicate-arcadeAshok Selvam2016-12-20T09:36:04-06:002016-12-20T09:36:04-06:00Bill Kim’s Belly Shack Closing Under Western Blue Line Stop
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<figcaption>Belly Shack is closing this week after seven years. | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bellyshack/photos/a.385564628630.164885.211955953630/10152634964663631/?type=3&theater">Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>The Korean/Puerto Rican restaurant ends a seven-year run</p> <p id="oFzvNw">This year Bill Kim opened a restaurant—the<a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2016/4/6/11377312/urbanbelly-wicker-park-restaurant-photos-opening"> Wicker Park iteration of Urban Belly</a>—and now he’s closing one. Saturday, Christmas Eve, is the last day for his Korean/Puerto Rican mash-up, <strong>Belly Shack</strong>, right underneath the CTA’s Blue Line Western stop. The restaurant has been open for seven years. </p>
<p id="NX8awY">Kim said business was good, but with the building’s lease expiring at the end of the year, Belly Shack’s time was short. He made the decision about a month ago as he felt spread thin operating four restaurants; closing Belly Shack will free up time. Kim reminisced on Tuesday morning about learning to cook Puerto Rican food from his mother-in-law and melding his Korean culture with his wife’s.</p>
<p id="65FoAz">“We always like to say it’s a love story told through food and I think we did that with the combination of her culture and mine,” Kim said.</p>
<p id="IRIIzd">Belly Shack was Kim’s second restaurant, following the success of the original Urban Belly in Avondale. He partnered with Cornerstone Restaurants, the same group that counts basketball legend Michael Jordan as a partner. Belly Shack’s counter service was somewhat a pioneer as many operators are now following that casual model.</p>
<p id="L3cBRj">“We were just adapting to what was going on with the world,” Kim said.</p>
<p id="skCZMG">Kimchi hot dogs and other unusual sandwiches highlighted the menu. While they later added alcoholic drinks, the original BYO environment made it a popular option near the Bucktown/Logan Square border. Kim confirmed that some of those items will likely live on as specials at Urban Belly.</p>
<p id="vuKHph">Don’t fret too much for Kim. Besides his line of sauces, he’s still got Belly Q in the West Loop, which shares space with a Urban Belly. There’s also the aforementioned second Urban Belly in Wicker Park. The <em>Tribune</em><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/restaurants/ct-belly-shack-to-close-christmas-eve-20161219-story.html"><em> </em>first reported the </a>closure.</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2016/12/20/14023874/belly-shack-bill-kim-closing-cornerstoneAshok Selvam