Openings

Persona Pizzeria (170 W. Washington St., Loop, 312-255-7575) is now serving up individual wood-fired pizzas in under 90 seconds from World Pizza Champion Glenn Cybulski. (So your pizza could be ready before you finish reading this story).

Charlie McKenna’s long-awaited upscale Southern restaurant Dixie (1952 N. Damen Ave., Bucktown, 773-688-4466) made its debut in the bygone Takashi space. Expect composed small plates and contemporary cocktails in the onsite liquorette, dubbed 1952½.

As part of a recent remodeling that tripled its size, Red Star Liquor store opened an adjacent, 50-seat taproom and lounge called the Walk-In (2727 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square, 773-697-8726).

Surf’s up, Chicago. Team Emporium unveiled beach-themed bar Surf (2367 N. Milwaukee, Ave., 872-206-5245) next door to its Logan Square arcade. Expect summery draft cocktails, beer, food from chef Jorge Miranda (Chilapan), rope swings, palm trees, and an enclosed front patio.

AMK Group’s pop-up Nosh & Booze (838 W. Randolph St., West Loop, 312-733-3379) has popped up in the former Vivo space. The American street food–inspired spot will be here till the end of the year.

In multipurpose concept news, Heisler Hospitality group (Pub Royale, Sportsman’s Club) debuted Estereo (2540 N. Milwaukee Ave., Logan Square, 773-360-8363), serving coffee by day and Latin American-style cocktails by night.

Morsels

Beloved Logan Square taqueria L’Patron generated a lot of buzz when news broke they’d be adding a second location (3749 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-799-8066). But this new location comes at a price–the original spot at 2815 West Diversey Avenue has shuttered due to an issue with the landlord.

Seems like there’s a Naf Naf Grill (multiple locations, see nafnafgrill.com) opening everywhere you look, and because of this, the Middle Eastern chain was dubbed a 2016 Hot Concept by trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News. The growth isn’t over yet–by 2017, they’ll have more than 30 restaurants in six states.