South
When Jody Andre wanted to distinguish her Edgewater spot, The Room, from sister restaurant Speakeasy Supper Club in Rogers Park, she headed south. The new name reflects the menu’s freewheeling pan-Southern outlook: Look for items reflecting everything from cajun, Tex-Mex, and even Argentinian influences. Starters from the opening menu include fried green tomatoes with a red pepper and caper sauce ($6); entrees include a bean- and rice-stuffed poblano pepper ($17), chimmichurri chicken with serrano chili ($17) and chipotle-grilled mahi mahi ($20). Like its predecessor, South is BYOB. 5900 N. Broadway, 773-989-7666.
Michael Jordan’s Steak House
Get to one sixtyblue now; Michael Jordan’s fine-dining spot will be doing a 180 when it re-opens as a steak spot in November. (There’s already one in New York and one in Connecticut.) Instead of contemporary French, Michael Jordan’s will be doing prime rib and New York strips. Executive chef Martial Noguier says he’ll stay on board to make sure the steaks have lots of sizzle with upscale accompaniments. (We’ll see.) One sixtyblue plans to continue operating until late October. 160 N. Loomis St. 312-850-0303.
Trio Atelier
Always wanted to visit Trio, but never had the bucks? Good news: The famed launching pad for star chefs has been reborn as Trio Atelier–that’s French for “workshop”–with Dale Levitsky (formerly of La Tache) taking over for award-winning chef Grant Achatz, who’s busy planning his own spot, Alinea. A read of the menu’s affordable small ($3-9), medium ($7-13) and large plates ($15-22) shows Levitsky’s bistro flair: beef striploin with almond croquette and blueberry demi-glace ($13); and roasted poussin with seasonal stuffing ($20). 1625 Hinman Ave., Evanston, 847-733-8746.
Aloha Grill
Go Hawaiian at this just-opened BBQ joint, which prides itself on serving authentic island “plate lunches.” Featuring chicken katsu ($5.95) or Hawaiian barbecue beef, chicken and pork ($5.95-6.95), the plates come with two scoops of rice or fries and macaroni salad. But the most authentic option? Spam. (Hawaii consumes the most per capita of the stuff.) Aloha features a Spam and noodle saimin soup ($3.95), and Spam musubi ($2.95), which is sort of like a warm sushi roll. 2534 N. Clark St. 773-935-6828.
Katachi
This newly opened spot near the Sheridan “L” stop hits a home run with its clever combo of two Chicago favorites–baseball and sushi. The restaurant’s long sushi selection features a Cubs maki, made with deep-fried bell pepper, shrimp tempura, avocado and spicy sauce ($10.95). In addition to maki, look for Japanese staples like yakisoba ($8.95) noodle soup, gyoza ($4.75) and shrimp tempura ($6.95). 3911 N. Sheridan Rd. 773-880-5340.
Kan Zamen, Babylon Eatery, Samah
Hookah mania hits Chicago! First Kan Zamen (617 N. Wells St., 312-751-9600), the Lebanese spot that lost its Andersonville lease in 2003, has returned–this time in River North. It’s brought back the hookah pipes and weekend belly dancers. Look for a similar menu, including shish taouk ($12.95). Also recently opened: Babylon Eatery (2023 N. Damen Ave., 773-342-7482), which in addition to Middle Eastern standards like shish kebabs and falafel, brings out hookah pipes after 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Finally, look for Swarma (3330-A N. Clark St., 773-248-4606), which will feature 19 shisha flavors to make its Lakeview debut in late August.
Saltaus
Look for this new spot to open January or February from the chef/owner of Zealous, Michael Taus. Though he won’t reveal the exact address (somewhere on Randolph Street near Ogden Avenue), they’re aiming for a “grown-up lounge” serving a late-night menu. The name blends the first names of the two owners: Taus and NY doctor and full-time foodie Nader Salti.
