Restaurant News: Jeni's Splendid To Open In Wicker Park, TMIP Shut Down
By Lisa White in Food on Jul 15, 2014 4:40PM
-Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream has won over many a fan since the Ohio chain opened their first location in Chicago on Southport Avenue. Now delicious ice cream lovers will have two locations to get their fix, as building owner Steve Lipe confirmed that Jeni's has signed a lease at 1505 N. Milwaukee Ave. (That's is just across the street from the soon-to-be second location of XOCO as well.) No word yet on when it will open, but we can't wait to grab a scoop after a round of margaritas and tortas. [DNAinfo Chicago]
-In other exciting openings, Webster's Wine Bar, which closed suddenly in June, will reopen in the former Telegraph space this Thursday. Former Telegraph sous chef Aaron Mooney will oversee the menu, which will focus on small plates and desserts. [DNAinfo Chicago]
-New York-based and cult favorite Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is set to open their first Midwest location in Chicago next February. The massive 12,868-square-foot establishment will be on Weed Street in the building that use to be the nightclubs Zentra and Mask. The restaurant will have an outdoor beer garden and will house their barbecue pits on the second floor. Crain's Chicago spoke to owner John Stage about how the planning is coming along for his new venture. [Crain's Chicago]
-While Mindy Segal is hard at work getting ready to open her bakery in Logan Square later this year, fans can get a taste of what to expect now that Hot Chocolate is open for breakfast. Hot Chocolate will now be open all day Tuesday through Friday, and they are working on offering WiFi for those who would like to spend their mornings doing a bit of work while nibbling on Segal's delectable pastries. The breakfast selections you can now try starting today includes quiches, sweet and savory croissants and Danishes, bagels and hot fudge or ham and cheese rugelach. They will also serve coffee and, of course, hot chocolate. [Zagat]
-Sadly, Brandon Baltzley's latest ambitious endeavor, TMIP, has been shut down. The ten seat restaurant in Michigan City, Indiana was opened only eight days before it was closed down by orders from the LaPorte County Health Department. Originally Baltzley and team were going to fight to keep the full concept open, but yesterday afternoon Baltzley confirmed on his Twitter account that TMIP will not be reopening. It's a shame things didn't work out, their full farm concept was something very interesting we would have liked to see unfold more. [Eater]