To ensure its liquid offerings were up to snuff with Chicago's cocktail-savvy diner, Roka Akor Sushi & Steak brought on bartender Dante LoPresti, formerly of Mercadito's basement cocktail lounge, Double A, to assist with the Japanese-leaning bar program. When it opens to the public on Monday, the expansive 200-plus-seat River North space will become the second Roka Akor location from Arizona-based JNK Concepts. (Bombay Spice, also opening Monday next door, is another of the restaurant group's concepts with a location in Arizona.) We met up yesterday with LoPresti at Roka Akor's bar to hear about what he and his team have in the works. more ›

While we are mourning the loss of Shochu, we weren't going to let that keep us from checking out its reincarnated state from Lynne Wallack and Josh Hansen: Deleece Grill Pub. We dropped in to capture some of the food to give you a taste of the new place. Don't miss that last picture of dessert. Mmmm, banana bread pudding. more ›

We attempted to go to Jin Ju the other night for a birthday celebration but were dismayed to find it closed on Mondays. In the unseasonably freezing air, we had to think fast if we still wanted to satisfy our craving for Asian. The first place that popped into mind was something we’d passed on the drive up Clark Street - a new place called Shochu that had taken over the old Platiyo space in Wrigleyville. The description of “Asian Edged Small Plates” on the awning sparked our interest. more ›

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