photo courtesy of Rodan via Facebook.
Thousands of chicken wing lovers gathered to celebrate Chicago's 15th Annual "Best Wings Fest" on Sunday afternoon which took place at Bailey Auditorium at 1340 W. Washington Street in Chicago.
25 local eateries participate in the annual fundraiser and this year, "Best of the Fest" was awarded to Wicker Park's very own Rodan located at 1530 N. Milwaukee Avenue.
Congratulations guys. Great job.
Last year we reported the team behind Wicker Park's Big Star and Violet Hour (One Off Hospitality Inc), had secured the space formerly Cipolina at 1543 N. Damen Avenue setting their sights for a new eatery in the neighborhood.
And according to Chicago Magazine's Penny Pollack, Paul Kahan (Chef and Co-Owner of One of Hospitality), the new space is going to be more Mexican.
With Rick Bayless's new restaurant opening this year at 1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue and the many Mexican spots already in the neighborhood already, we were hoping for something a little different. But opening a "sister to Big Star" as Kahan describes it, makes perfect sense for the location.
Additional details to follow as they become available.
The Power 100 [Chicago Magazine]
photo credit: Timothy Hiatt
Wicker Wire: We're sorry to share the news that Storefront Company at 1941 W. North Avenue has closed up shop according to a report published by Eater Chicago earlier this week. Open for less than 2 years, the team behind Debonair Social Club and Chef Bryan Moscatello parted ways in early December when Moscatello moved to Colorado.
The restaurant closed after serving their New Years Eve pop up dinner with Dirk Flanigan ... and never reopened. We will keep you posted on any new developments.
Storefront Company Hangs Up The Closed Sign [Eater Chicago]
Photo: Tilapia Apple Salad. Photo courtesy of Sticky Rice Chiang Mai via Facebook.
Wicker Wire: We reported waaay back in April of last year, that Sticky Rice would be opening a 2nd location and we've been waiting for this one to open since last Summer. So we're excited to report, at long last, the 2nd location for the much beloved Sticky Rice is set to open today according to a report published by DNAInfo.
Sticky Rice Chiang Mai moved in to the space formerly Dunkin Donuts at 1746 N. Western Avenue bringing authentic and adventurous Thai food to the neighborhood. Unlike the original spot which offers 100 items, the 2nd location will offer about half of that according to today's report. The focus is on dishes from Northern Thailand and you'll find everything from appetizers to noodle dishes, soups, salads and a number of different entrees. Entrees include many favorites from the original location like: papaya and beef salads and curries, a tilapia apple salad that features the who fish (pictured above), baby squid lime soup and more.
Today's report doesn't mention whether or not the more adventurous items on the North Center menu will also be included here....like those fried caterpillars. So we'll be sure to check in and let you know. We've been waiting for this one to open for a long time.
For additional information: Sticky Rice Chiang Mai - 1746 N. Western Avenue. Phone: 312 - 818 - 1810. Hours Monday - Thursday 11am - 10pm, Fri- Sat 11am - 11pm and Sunday 12pm - 10pm.
Sticky Rice to Open Bucktown Location
Sticky Rice Chiang Mai Brings Northern Thai to Wicker Park [DNAInfo]
image courtesy of Grass Fed
Wicker Wire: Bucktown's Grass Fed at 1721 N. Damen Avenue announced earlier today via facebook, that they will be closing following Chicago Restaurant Week. Their final day will be Sunday February 8th.
According to their announcement, plans to re-concept and re-open are in the very near future.
We will keep you apprised of details as they become available.
We first reported on La Colombe heading to Wicker Park waaaay back in May of last year and their target date for opening then was September 2013.
Wicker Park location photo courtesy of La Colombe via Facebook.
Well, delays do happen and La Colombe is getting ready at long last to open their doors in the space formerly the location of Greener Cleaners at 1552 N. Damen Avenue directly next to the Blue Line in Wicker Park. Today is "health inspection day" according to an instagram photo published earlier.
They should be opening any day now.
We, of course, will keep you posted.
Related: La Colombe to Open in Bucktown.
Breakfast tacos $2 every day at Riverside Cafe.
Riverside Cafe has been a part of the Bucktown community since 1984 (yes almost 30 years). They're located at 1656 W. Cortland Avenue and serve breakfast (like pancakes and sausage) plus lunch every day. In the Summer, they'll feature a special dinner or two on their gorgeous secluded patio.
Throughout the week you'll find a variety of American, Latin and Spanish fare here; everything from soups/salads/sandwiches to empanadas.
And on Sunday they offer a huge family style brunch with almost 50 items including: french toast, eggs, sausage, bacon, bagels, croissants and much more.. They're byob so you can bring the champagne and they'll provide the oj.
So here's the scoop. Riverside Cafe serves an American Classic Breakfast Monday-Saturday from 7am-2pm that features some Latin options like the delicious breakfast tacos above.
They're considering offering their All-You-Can-Eat Brunch on Saturday AND Sunday. Right now they're offering it only on Sunday.
So...is offering their All-You-Can-Eat-Brunch on Saturday a good idea? Just tell us Yay or Nay by 12pm Friday (January 3rd 2014) to enter to win.
Just let us know via Facebook or via Twitter and look for our announcement.
We'll be announcing the winner at 12:15pm on Friday January 3rd 2014 and the winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Ready. Set. Go. And good luck !
photo courtesy of The Savoy via Facebook.
Wicker Wire:
We always on the look out for amazing deals in the neighborhood. And these are great deals ending soon.
Save on a 1 Year Membership or 3 twenty-four hour passes to be used by June 2014.
Save 50% For A Limited Time Only
Ends in 2 days.
Great spots. Great deals. All information courtesy of Groupon.
We reported last December that a new Middle Eastern restaurant was in the works for Division Avenue in the former home of Habitat and at long last Shawarma Garden is ready to open.
Owner Mary Anne Mubayed is bringing her family's "secret" Middle Eastern recipes to Wicker Park and, based on the menu, it looks like a lot of traditional dishes will be available. You'll find favorites including: hummus, grape leaves, baba ghanoush, falafel, tabouleh salad, a variety of 'kabob' entrees, shawarma, and gyros. Approximately 25 menu items are available that offer affordable prices & generous portions. Prices start at $3.00 for falafel and work their way up. The highest priced item is the lamb kabob entree at $13.99. Sandwiches are in the $5.00 range.
Take out and delivery are also available. Shawarma Garden will be open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
Look for Shawarma Garden to open at 1951 W. Division Street this Wednesday November 20th .
Less than a year after opening at 1252 N. Damen Avenue, 312 Dining Diva is reporting today that The Haute and The Dog shuttered on Sunday November 10th....sort of. Although the storefront has closed up shop, they will continue the catering side of their business. But the owners would like more freedom to take on other projects. Following Bagel on Damen, it will be interesting to see what moves into this location at Potomac and Damen in the heart of Wicker Park's historic district.
The Haute and The Dog Shutters; Here's Why - (312) Dining Diva
