Spotted in Chinatown: another prospective urban izakaya. Executive chef Kee Chan, formerly of Heat and Mulan, plans to open Lure Izakaya (2017 S. Wells, 312-225-8989) any day now pending inspections, and is currently accepting applications for all positions through his website (lurechicago.com) and Facebook page. In addition to Japanese small plates and grilled items in the $5-$8 range, he’ll be serving rolls and a $10-$12 fusion menu with dishes like a seafood stew with cod, lamb, and greens. Chan has plans for late-night hours and brunch, and says he is also looking for “singers/performers/musicians.”
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On the horizon for later next year is a Chicago location of New York’s City Winery, the SoHo restaurant, bar, performance space, and wine-making facility where members can buy house-made wines by the barrel. Founder and CEO Michael Dorf says that the group will be renting a 25,000-square-foot space across from the Palmer House; marketing director Alex Baldwin confirmed that they have their eye on the landmark Louis Sullivan-designed Carson Pirie Scott Building.
On Monday Dark Cloud (2122 N. Halsted, 773-857-2449) opened in Lincoln Park. A self-described “urban coffee lab,” it will feature a roster of coffees that rotates every four weeks; currently they’re offering blends from Alterra, Intelligentsia, and Barismo—along with espresso pulled from the Slayer, a hand-built $17,000 espresso machine.
