Tag: Chicago Restaurant Openings

For most people, retirement means slowing down and taking it easy. For former Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije it’s been anything but. Since officially retiring from the NFL in 2014, he’s been on a mission to give the South Loop neighborhood he calls home restaurants and bars that rival other parts of the city.

On Sunday, September 14, Idonije’s Pangea Restaurant Group will open Buttercup, an intimate daytime coffee bar and an amaro-focused evening cocktail lounge and bistro. The cafe was developed in partnership with the team behind nearby Oliver’s, and joins Idonije’s existing portfolio of spots that includes Signature Steak (formerly Signature) and the Staley. Notably, Idonije has more projects in the works; as he recently told Crain’s last November, he’s planning on converting a landmark Motor Row building into a boutique hotel with a restaurant.

Idonije moved to the South Loop in 2014, and describes the neighborhood as “a gem” and “a little suburb of the city.” He says he saw an opportunity to grow new businesses in the area, home to Soldier Field and residential high-rises, which he feels is sometimes overlooked by restaurateurs in Chicago.

“Often I’d be in the neighborhood, and I would see the droves of people coming out of games and concerts,” says Idonije. “It was always just amazing to me why this area didn’t have more attention from Chicago’s hospitality industry.”

Starting at 7 a.m., Buttercup features a full coffee program with custom blends for espresso and drip from Chicago-based Sparrow Coffee. It’s a welcome addition for an area where independent coffee shops are scarce. Sparrow will also provide the morning baked goods ranging from blueberry corn muffins and sticky toffee bread to laminated pastries. Depending on customer demand, breakfast sandwiches, eggs to order, and lunch offerings could be added later.

“As we grow into the space, we’ll get a better sense of what we might be doing in the future,” says chef Alex Carnovale, who also runs the kitchen at Oliver’s. “We’re excited to get some folks in the space and collect early reactions and that’ll inform how we grow into it.”

Buttercup shifts gears later in the day. The concise evening menu, which starts at 4 p.m., features Italian-leaning classics like a charcuterie plate and truffle pizzetta. There’s a kale and broccoli Caesar salad with white anchovies, smoked mozzarella, and crispy hand-torn croutons. Those looking for a heartier meal can opt for the roasted pork neck. Cured and air-dried before it’s cut into steaks, the Slagel Farms pork is slow-cooked for 16 hours and then grilled to order. It’s paired with a punchy gremolata and pickled cipollini onions.

“We want people to be able to slow down over some cocktails or wine, but then also have the ability to build a meal around it if they want to,” says Carnovale.

Drinks are under the purview of beverage director Luke DeYoung, who previously worked at Scofflaw before joining the team at Oliver’s. Leaning into Buttercup’s Italian influences, amaro plays a dominant role. DeYoung also spotlights other bitter liqueurs from around the world.

“The number one goal was to provide a fun and interesting experience for both veterans of amaro and guests who have never tried it,” says DeYoung. Offering an Old Fashioned and margarita in which amaro subs in for the traditional alcohol base provides an entryway for newcomers to the bitter Italian spirit. The rest of the menu is a collection of classic and creative amaro cocktails. A small selection of Italian wines and beer are available, too.

An unexpected twist is Buttercup’s kakigori machine. Traditionally used for Japanese shaved ice desserts that are topped with fruit syrups and sweetened condensed milk, DeYoung takes the thin sheets of shaved ice the machine makes to create fluffy snow cone-like drinks with plenty of visual appeal. (That machine is also put to good use in the morning with a frozen panna dulce topper available as a drink add-on.)

Another area DeYoung explores is nonalcoholic amaro, which he believes comes closest to mirroring its alcoholic counterpart. At Buttercup, there are a few options to sample on their own as well as in cocktails. For those looking for lower alcohol cocktails in general, many amari are naturally low ABV, explains DeYoung. He plans on doing some fun collaborations as well as hosting amaro-themed parties (look for some of the latter during the upcoming Negroni Week, taking place Monday, September 22 to Sunday, September 28).

To make the most of Buttercup’s 900-square-foot space, formerly 16th Street Bar, the team worked with local designer Nathan Michael, whose eponymous company also designed Asador Bastian and DeNucci’s. Michael was also in charge of all the branding materials.

Located on the ground floor of a four-story building with a hair salon on one side and a piano studio on the other, Buttercup’s exterior offers quiet hints of its purpose. “Cafe by Light” and “Amaro at Night” are stenciled in small gold lettering on its two windows just above the lace curtains. “Italian Apertifs” and “Fine Foods” are written above the glass door.

Inside the 40-seat room, the walls and ceiling are painted a butter yellow hue, a lighter version of which is replicated in the retro Formica-like tables. A burnt orange velvet banquette is contrasted with a brown-and-white striped back and trim. The geometric-patterned floor tiles offer a whimsical eye-catching detail.

Above the 11-seat, chrome-topped bar, globe-sized light fixtures hang below sheer curtains, adding more softness and warmth to the space. Throughout Buttercup are thoughtful vintage accessories, further blurring the line between new and old.

“Buttercup is the name of an Italian flower, and it also means to bring joy or to delight,” says Idonije. “We hope this little space brings joy and delight to the SoLo community and the people who visit here.”

Buttercup, 75 E. 16th Street. Open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (cafe) and 4 p.m. to midnight (amaro bar) Monday through Sunday. Opening September 14.

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.

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a curated roundup of recent restaurant openings big and small across Chicago.

Did we miss a spot? Drop a note at the tipline or email chicago@eater.com, and we’ll consider it for the next update.

GOLD COAST — Private members club Astor Club has introduced a new dining experience led by a prominent Chicago chef. Trevor Teich, who earned a Michelin star at his Bucktown fine dining restaurant Claudia, now leads the club’s culinary program. At The Chef’s Table, he presents a tasting menu that showcases seasonal ingredients and French technique. The exclusive 10-seat communal experience is priced at $325 per person. 24 E. Goethe Street.

IRVING PARK — After a decade in Lincoln Square, Southern comforts specialist Luella’s has relocated to Irving Park. Drop in during breakfast or brunch hours to try Darnell Reed’s lineup of favorites, including chicken and waffles, crab-stuffed shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, and peach cobbler French toast. 4114 N. Kedzie Avenue.

LOGAN SQUARE — A pair of Sushi Dokku vets have brought an affordable omakase restaurant to Logan Square. Omakase Box offers a 15-course chef’s counter experience for $98 per person. There’s also an al la carte menu featuring starters like edamame and miso soup, and a variety of nigiri and hand rolls. 3038 W. Armitage Avenue.

NORTH CENTER — A taste of the Southwest has come to North Center with The Western Bar & Kitchen. Opened by a pair of hospitality veterans, the project offers Sonoran-influenced dishes like oysters chile rellano; barbecue prawns with mojo de ajo; and a burger with gruyere, bacon jam, and watercress. Drinks emphasize agave-based spirits, while downstairs features pool and cocktail lounges. In the fall, a theater space will debut at The Western and be the new home of CIC Theater. 4301 N. Western Avenue.

OLD TOWN — A new omakase experience helmed by Mari Katsumura (Yūgen, Entente) has opened. Shō is a 12-seat restaurant that marries Japanese tradition with global influences. The 10-course menu features more than just nigiri — there are hot and cold dishes, pressed hand rolls, and fruit-forward desserts. The beverage program highlights sakes, grand cru Champagne, rare Japanese whiskies, and creative cocktails. 1531 N. Wells Street.

RIVER NORTH — Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley has moved into the former Katana space next to the House of Blues Chicago. The new home has a larger footprint, private dining areas, and a patio. Diners can expect the same Southern favorites on the menu, like fried green tomatoes, fried catfish, jerk lamb chops, and shrimp and grits. There’s also lunch and weekend brunch service. Kitchen + Kocktails was previously located a few blocks away on Wabash Avenue. 339 N. Dearborn Street.

WEST LOOP — Stephen Sandoval’s (Diego, Entre Sueños) Latin steakhouse has arrived, taking over the former Komo space. Reflecting the chef’s roots, Trino pays homage to Argentine techniques, with steaks seared on a plancha and paired with a variety of sauces. Non-beef options include focaccia fry bread, lamb empanadas, and pork milanesa, while the beverage program spotlights spirits and drinks from Mexico, Galicia, and Argentina. The interior features art by Raspy Rivera, as well as a mural on the ceiling of the bar. 738 W. Randolph Street.

WEST LOOP — David and Anna Posey are set to open a neighborhood bistro just a few doors down from the couple’s Michelin-starred restaurant Elske on August 22. Despite the name, Creepies aims to be a warm and welcoming space with Midwestern charm. Chef de Cuisine Tayler Ploshehanski will run the kitchen and serve dishes like tarte flambée; Parisian gnocchi with gruyere, ham, and egg yolk; and roasted chicken with liver and wine sauce. 1360 W. Randolph Street.

WEST TOWN — Bocadillo Market, the Spanish restaurant that closed in Lincoln Park at the end of 2024, has made a comeback. The new location serves bocadillos (Spanish sandwiches), tapas, pastries, and coffee during the daytime. A family-style dinner series will debut in September, running on weekends. 1117 W. Grand Avenue.

GLENVIEW — Ballyhoo Hospitality’s latest restaurant has landed in Glenview. Jackman & Co. is an elevated British gastropub offering dishes such as red curry prawns, fish and chips, and vindaloo mussels alongside daily specials like a Sunday roast. Emerald green, gold accents, and dark woods define the restaurant’s interior, which seats 187 guests across the dining room and lively bar area. There’s also a large patio that overlooks the North Branch of the Chicago River. 1749 Glenview Road.