Wicker Parks seems to be the go-to ‘hood when you want to reinvent yourself. Whether you’re a Chad out to sate your edgier side or a bar looking to keep up with the ever-changing social scene, this part of town loves a makeover. And what better time than spring to try a new look? We checked out a couple of recent changes.
Par Lounge
This location recently has been home to a couple of short-lived endeavors: Italian restaurant Romeo, Romeo and neighborhood bar and grill Sweet Alice. The new owners are trying a laid-back lounge approach.
Since the end of 2007, Par Lounge has had soft openings with limited hours — mostly private events and small parties. By now, we expected to find the spot settled in. But menus still weren’t ready — our server had the night’s extremely limited selection (skewers, hummus and ribs) committed to memory. Our chicken skewers and hummus were fine, but nothing we’d seek out again. With no cocktail menu, we had to settle for an unremarkable glass of house wine ($7).
The interior, though sexed up with local art, candles and low-slung seating arrangements, looks like the result of “Trading Spaces: The Bar Edition.” We felt like we were sitting on a DIY project, the foam-topped wooden benches and ottomans handily covered in dark, jewel-toned fabrics.
One thing did catch our attention: the music. DJs played an upbeat mix of funk, hip-hop and jazzy beats that got a few bargoers grooving. It was deafening for such a slow night, but infectious. We might have joined in, but the small crowd seemed to be friends with either the turntable talent or the bar staff, so we almost felt like party crashers.
Opening quirks and kinks are par for the course — but the plan for Par Lounge seems unusually vague.
Peek inside Par Lounge Wednesday on CLTV’s ‘Metromix’ at 7 p.m.
Chaise Lounge
There’s nothing like a new chef to reinvent a place, so after a couple of so-so meals during last summer’s opening, we were excited to revisit Chaise Lounge since the recent addition of executive chef Cary Taylor.
Taylor, who’s worked at Blackbird, Avenues and most recently Ambria, tells us he’s trying to use local ingredients in approachable yet creative contemporary American dishes. Though the menu’s still mostly meat and seafood, he introduced more vegetarian dishes, including a veggie crepe and a Waldorf salad, plus elegant, open-faced sandwiches for lunching ladies. Our risotto cake with pine nuts, balsamic butter and spinach was light and lovely ($14); our Chaise burger was a juicy, affordable ($8) alternative to heavier, $20 entrees such as braised pork filet and beef short rib.
Best of all, we were reminded of how much we love this Bucktown spot’s South Beach-meets-Scottsdale decor. The tented rooftop lounge is a swanky scene, great for cocktailing and conversation. (Look for the tent’s walls to come off soon; the roof will stay up so there’ll never be a rainout.) It felt like we were on a mini-spring break.
After another look, we’re ready to lounge around this Chaise again.
Chaise Lounge launches a new menu April 1.
Aberdeen
Last home to Celebrity — the lounge that set out to change its wall color and art with the seasons — this tiny corner space boasts a new look and concept catering to a wider audience.
Still a DJ-driven lounge on weekend nights (resident DJs Sye Young and Jem are our faves when it comes to danceable mashups), it’s a neighborhood bar by day, with six flat-screen TVs showing sports. (March Madness, anyone?)
After a March 8 grand opening, the bar closed for several days to sort out some kinks. We made a couple of attempts to stop in during that time, and though we were welcomed, we didn’t get a true sense of how the service and scene will stack up in the long run.
Here’s what we do know: A bar food menu touts items made from scratch, and our chargrilled, homemade burger proved it ($6.95) — too bad that’s all they had to offer us. At least Aberdeen added ample seating for diners: There are 10 bar stools and four high-top tables, and banquettes with cocktail tables line opposite corners of the room. The decor is simple. White chandeliers, dark wood wall panels and a bar top made from an elm tree section add subtle rustic flair to an otherwise ordinary space. But maybe on this corner, simplicity finally will be the key to a long life.
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Karen Budell is the Metromix nightlife producer. Meals and drinks are paid for by Metromix, and reviewers make every attempt to remain anonymous
kmbudell@tribune.com
