New Restaurant Roundup
New restaurants open at a rapid rate in Chicago throughout the year. Lately, the onslaught has beget a burger spin-off, a Lakeview pizzeria, and a Thai wonderland.
Inspired by the hyper popularity of Au Cheval’s burger, restaurateur Brendan Sodikoff decided to give the people more of what they want: a burger-focused restaurant. Called Small Cheval, the burger eatery took the place of Sodikoff’s former Roxie’s by the Slice in Bucktown. Billed as a quicker, more accessible version of Au Cheval, the smaller spin-off features a concise menu of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, shakes, draft cocktails, beers, and shots.
While one restaurant group goes smaller, another goes bigger. DineAmic Restaurant Group debuted their bi-level Bar Siena in the West Loop, an 8,000 square foot sister restaurant to Siena Tavern in River North. Helmed by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, the menus at Bar Siena are inspired by Italy’s various regions, with a heightened focus on Italian street food, pizza, and cicchetti. The first floor is loungier and more casual, with a comfortable bar area, while the second floor houses the dining room overlooking the ground level via a 25’ by 25’ opening. There’s also BomboBar, a walk-up sidewalk service window featuring Italian bombolini, Italian ice, and gelato.
Riding off the success of West Town’s Coalfire, the East Coast-inspired pizzeria opened a second location in Lakeview. The larger space contains a full bar, communal tables, and two coal ovens presided over by chef and pizzaiolo Gianni Gallucci. With extra space and a certified pizzaiolo taking the reins, the Coalfire sequel has room to expand its menu offerings substantially, implementing new pizzas and utilizing new creations like pistachio pesto and more West Loop Salumi provisions. Coming soon: a sidewalk patio.
Ravenswood got a new drinking and dining destination in Ampersand Wine Bar. The intimate space looks to be a new neighborhood staple on the north side, featuring comfortable small plates by chef Darren McGraw and accessible wines galore. Afternoon tea is served daily from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm, while dinner service showcases refined plates, reimagined classics, and contemporary desserts.
Famed for his namesake fine dining Thai restaurant, Arun Sampanthavivat just unveiled a massive, multi-tiered follow-up in Albany Park called Taste of Thai Town. A Mecca of Thai and Asian cuisine, Thai Town contains a cafe, a noodle bar, a liquor bar, a banquet hall, a dining room, and a spa. Food-wise, the menus run the gamut from salads and noodles to rice, dumplings, soups, and more.
Small Cheval
1732 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Website
Bar Siena
832 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 492-7775
Website
Coalfire Two
3707 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago
(773) 477-2625
Website
Ampersand Wine Bar
4845 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago
(773) 728-0031
Website
Taste of Thai Town
4461 N Pulaski Road, Chicago
(773) 299-7888
Website
