Openings
Just in time for patio season, Federales Tequila & Tacos (180 N. Morgan St., West Loop, 773-831-9696) and its 154-seat tequila garden have arrived. Besides barbacoa-style tacos and plenty of tequila, there’s a retractable roof in case of rain … and the always-looming Chicago winter. Read more here.
Beloved St. Louis food-truck-turned-fast-casual restaurant chain Seoul Taco (738 N. Clark St., River North, 312-265-1607) has rolled into River North, with wallet-friendly, Korean-influenced tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and nachos.
Take a break from the West Loop bustle at Honey’s (1111 W. Lake St., West Loop, 312-877-5929), where seasonal fine-dining and culinary-inspired cocktails meet laidback-elegant decor.
Get out your leis: Hawaiian-themed Mahalo (1501 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park, 708-328-3091) has taken over the former Bom Bolla space in Wicker Park, with casual Polynesian-Asian fare, tropical cocktails, and a rooftop deck that will feature luau feasts. Read more here.
Poke officially hits “trend” status with FireFin Poke Shop (10 S. LaSalle St., Loop, 312-754-0609). Expect mixed raw fish bowls, salads, and plenty of aloha (love) from chef Rodelio Aglibot and Team Furious Spoon.
Artisanal tea bar Love That Tea (1893 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, 847-780-4658) is offering hand-blended, health-minded, and gourmet teas to North Shore residents, along with Bent Fork Bakery sweets and pastries.
Calling all ramen and hip hop lovers: The second outpost of Shin Thompson’s popular shop Furious Spoon (2410 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-770-3559) is now slinging Tokyo-style noodle bowls in Logan Square.
Morsels
Another opening of sorts: Eataly (43 E. Ohio St., River North, 312-521-8700) has added Pizza alla Pala, a Roman-style pizza spot, to its second-floor dining marketplace. It’s the first one of these in the U.S.
Congrats to Monteverde (1020 W. Madison St., West Loop, 312-888-3041), which picked up another national accolade today as one of Food & Wine magazine’s Restaurants of the Year. (It recently made GQ’s list of Best New Restaurants, too. And ours.)