Bruce Finkelman and Craig Golden are at it again. With Dusek’s, Promontory, and Longman & Eagle under their belts, the duo’s next project aims to bring together some of Chicago’s best restaurateurs under one roof in another historic overhaul.
Located in the National Building, Revival Food Hall (125 S. Clark Street, Loop) will feature various collaborations at 15 fast-casual stalls in a “grab and go” setting. Diners can then choose where to sit amongst an eclectic mix of furniture and decorations throughout the space. When it opens this summer—no specific opening date yet—RFH’s dining options will include neighborhood favorites as well as new, quick-serve concepts from acclaimed Chicago chefs.
The first collaboration is Antique Taco Chiquito, a joint effort with husband and wife partners Ashley and Rick Ortiz. Chiquito’s menu will comprise favorites from the original Wicker Park location as well as the debut of breakfast items, including chorizo and egg empanadas, skillet tacos, and a “market fruit shaker,” an homage to Mexican fresh-fruit carts.
Finkelman will make more announcements in the coming weeks and says that the chefs chosen are based on a range of criteria including the service and creativity of the food in order to “create something magical.” While the other participants are being finalized, Finkelman says that RFH will also include a multi-roaster coffee shop and full bar, with both cocktails and coffee given equal importance, similar to a coffee shop/bar in Paris.
“[It’ll be] the same place where you would get your coffee in the morning and where you could get a drink in the evening. Maybe add something to the coffee, like a liqueur, during the day,” Finkelman says. “As the sun sets, you go all the way to liquor.”
Finkelman hopes that the food hall will solve the often frustrating lunch dilemma for workers in the Loop who have limited dining options. “Here you can really experience culinary avenues you don't normally get to at all, let alone at lunch time,” Finkelman says.
RFH will also act as a multi-purpose space with a locally focused record store and reading corner, curated by Curbside Splendor. With Finkelman and Golden’s track record and the variety of food, drink, and entertainment venues available, it's got the potential to become a Loop dining staple.