Find Butter Chicken-Stuffed Empanadas at River North’s Neighborhood Newcomer

River North is no stranger to splashy openings, but restaurateur Kirtan Gandhi wants his new project to stand apart as a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a scene-y hangout. On Wednesday, September 10, he’ll debut Íla’s, a restaurant and bar that blends global flavors with American comfort, built on a foundation of warmth and community.

“The idea is, come as you are, meet as you are. We’re trying to make comfort food that has a bit of a twist to it … cross culture, but still very familiar,” Gandhi says. “We’re trying to create a sense of community in River North.”

The menu, developed with chef John Tarcak, includes about 25 dishes, organized into appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees, plus a few desserts.

“A lot of the food reflects our staff,” Gandhi says. “We have confit pork cheek lumpia for one of our Filipino staff members. We have birria pierogi for one of our Polish staff members. Even the empanadas — we’re doing butter chicken and serving it with chimichurri ranch.”

Gandhi also points to paneer kebabs with a sweet chile glaze and sweet corn agnolotti in a cornbread foam sauce as some of his favorites. And the classics also get upgrades: A grilled cheese layers Mahón, romesco, and broccolini, while the burger comes topped with oxtail marmalade, and the Italian beef swaps in braised short rib.

The beverage menu also leans on international flavors, like the Midnight in Mumbai with garam masala syrup and cardamom bitters, or the ube pisco sour. Expect plenty of tequila, Japanese whisky, Mexican spirits, and even a Malört concoction with cinnamon, grapefruit, and egg white. The wine list pulls from around the world — Spanish, French, Argentine, and beyond — while six taps pour a mix of local beers and easy-drinking staples.

Íla’s takes over the former home of controversial nightclub El Hefe, but the space has been completely gutted and transformed. Plush seating, soft lighting, and touches such as houseplants and vases create a warm, homey atmosphere.

“The intention is: Don’t just eat and run out of there — hang out, stay longer,” he says. “Make it personal, and try to build a connection … that’s what we do when you invite people into your home. You want them to feel like they belong there.”

The restaurant carries personal weight for Gandhi. Íla’s is named after his mother, who immigrated from India to Chicago 54 years ago this month. Known for having an open kitchen and a welcoming table, she’s the inspiration behind a restaurant meant to embody that same spirit of hospitality. For Gandhi, naming the place after her was the most fitting way to root it in family and belonging.

Íla’s marks Gandhi’s second venture — he took ownership of Evergreen Park’s Irish pub Porter Cullens in 2023 — but it’s his first chance to fully execute his own vision. The restaurant will start with lunch and dinner before rolling out brunch service. In River North, where many restaurants compete for attention, Gandhi sees Íla’s as a complement to the neighborhood; just as suited for a date night as it is for a group dinner or a solo bite at the bar while watching a game. His goal is straightforward: for guests to leave happier than when they arrived, even if they can’t quite put their finger on why.

Íla’s, 15 W. Hubbard Street. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.