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WEST LOOP — Art and Tyler Mendoza, the father-son pair behind Untitled and (now-closed) Oak + Char, are planning a new dual-concept restaurant with a double-entendre name to match. Slightly Toasted should open by the end of the month, and it will serve a variety of — you guessed it — toasts in the mornings, with options like avocado and goat cheese on rye. In the evenings, a selection of more than 200 whiskeys and craft beers will be served to help diners get “toasty.” 22 N. Clinton St., no phone number, www.slightlytoastedchicago.com
WEST LOOP — After its initial announcement nearly two years ago, The Lunatic, The Lover & The Poet — a three-level wine bar and restaurant — finally seems to be nearing an opening, Eater reports. The sizable spot plans to serve more than 200 wines, including 20 on tap, when it opens. 736 W. Randolph St., 312-775-0069, www.thelunaticloverpoet.com
WEST LOOP — Much-beloved Do-Rite Donuts is opening its third location, this one in the Fulton Market District, Crain’s reports. The doughnut shop will move into a new multiunit building that is expected to be completed some time this year. 181 N. Morgan St., no phone number, www.doritedonuts.com
LAKEVIEW — Jennivee’s Bakery, the late-night, LGBTQ-friendly bakery coming to Lakeview finally has an opening date. Owner Jennifer Vailoces told Eater she hopes to open Feb. 5, when the bakery will start serving cakes by the slice until 2 a.m. 3301 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-697-3341, www.jenniveesbakery.com
LINCOLN PARK — A new restaurant called Downtown Pizza & Wings has taken over the old Shabowl space, Eater reports, with a menu featuring thin-crust pies. 1512 N. LaSalle Drive, 312-867-7297, www.downtownpizzaandwings.com
BRIDGEPORT — Warm up with the hot pots at Taipei Cafe, where DNA Info reports that a chef who recently moved to Chicago from Taipei is serving Taiwanese cuisine. Various teas are also available, and the cafe is BYOB. 2609 S. Halsted St., 312-374-1986, no website
PORTAGE PARK — Ninja Sushi opened recently, serving Japanese, Chinese and Thai dishes, Eater reports. 3946 N. Central Ave., 773-628-7660, www.ninjafoodonline.com
ROGERS PARK — Bulldog Ale House, a suburban chain, has opened its first location in the city and seventh location overall, Eater reports. The bar-and-grill-style spot features its own house brews, as well as the elusive Three Floyds on tap. 6606 N. Sheridan Road, 773-274-9331, www.bulldogalehouse.com
RIVER NORTH — The old Ay Chiwowa space is staying in the hands of Rockit Ranch Productions, who are opening an Italian cocktail bar, Chicago Magazine reports. Otto Mezzo, from Duck Inn chef Kevin Hickey, will move in this spring and cater to the area’s late-night crowd. 311 W. Chicago Ave., no phone number or website
RIVER NORTH — The owners of Chicago Q have a new endeavor coming to the former Reza’s space on Ontario Street. Eater reports they have applied for a liquor permit for a new restaurant called Country Q. 432 W. Ontario St., no phone number or website
UPTOWN — Caravan Restaurant has been closed for most of January for remodeling, but the restaurant debuted its new look earlier this week, DNA Info reports, and has officially reopened for business. 4810 N. Broadway, 773-271-6022, www.caravanrestaurantchicago.com
BEVERLY — Mead lovers rejoice when Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery opens a 60-seat tasting room in March. Eater reports the new tasting room will seat up to 60 people, and Wild Blossom has plans to complete its outdoor space in time for warm weather. 10033 S. Western Ave, 773-233-7579, www.wildblossommeadery.com
OAK FOREST — Fisherman’s Island, a popular carryout spot for seafood in Englewood and Chatham, has opened a third location in the suburbs. 4142 167th St., Oak Forest, 708-566-4667, no website
WEST RIDGE — A new restaurant is serving burgers, hot dogs and other classic American fare with Halal meat, catering to Halal-abiding Muslims who would normally have to prepare such food themselves. F3 Grill owner Mohammad Adnan told DNA Info that he noticed a lack of Halal-friendly options, which led to the idea. 2741 W. Devon Ave., 773-381-8004, www.f3grill.com More Top Picks Best Leg Compression Massagers
SUBURBS — Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, a popular national fried chicken chain, is coming to the Chicago suburbs, Patch reports. The chain will open a pair of locations in North Riverside and Oak Lawn in late January and mid-February, respectively. 2514 Harlem Ave., North Riverside, and 11006 South Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn, www.raisingcanes.com
WILMETTE — According to its website, Torino Ramen will open shop Feb. 4, serving authentic Japanese ramen with house-made broth. 1162 Wilmette Ave., 847-920-5075, www.torinoramen.com
ICYMI:
WRIGLEYVILLE — The team responsible for Crosby’s Kitchen is bringing another restaurant to the North Side of town in the space next door. 4 Star Restaurant Group hopes to open Italian spot Ella Elli by March.
LOGAN SQUARE — In a quick turnaround, Limitless Coffee & Tea has moved into the former Owen + Alchemy space on Milwaukee Avenue, where it began serving drinks last week.
LAKEVIEW — Beloved Schuba’s Tavern is switching it up on the food front, shutting down the adjacent Harmony Grill after more than 20 years in the space to introduce a new “modern concept” restaurant.
Closings:
LINCOLN PARK — As of Jan. 9, Smashburger has moved out of the city, Eater reports. The Colorado chain closed up its only city locale in Lincoln Park, although one remains in Oak Lawn.
SOUTH LOOP/GOLD COAST — Sad news for Chicago restaurateur Paul Ko. Eater reports he has closed both of his restaurants — Tamirand and Vora — recently after mounting financial troubles. Vora has been put up for sale, while Ko has started a GoFundMe campaign to try to save Tamirand. A “for lease” sign is in the Tamirand window.
LINCOLN SQUARE — According to a post on food forum LTH, New Asia restaurant has a sign in the window indicating it will be closed for remodeling until further notice.
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