Nana Owners Planning Cocktail Lounge

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Oct 13, 2011 3:30PM

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

With places like Pleasant House Bakery, Zaytune Mediterranean Grill, Han 202, Maria's and others, the wunnerful Bridgeport area is slowly showing some signs of a dining and nightlife area.

One of the integral players in shaping that change is Nana, the restaurant that proved an organic and sustainable concept can actually work in a neighborhood that loves its meat and potatoes.

Nana co-owner Omar Solis is an ambitious man. His family owns the building that houses Nana and an adjacent storefront has been unused since the restaurant's 2009 opening, looking for a tenant. Prior to opening Nana, one of Solis' uncles ran a bar out of the space called "My Office." Solis also discovered a 40-year-old case of Filbert's "Mr. Newport" lemon-lime soda and a five-liter ceramic moonshine jug in the building's basement recently.

With no tenants biting and Nana's cocktail program in full swing, Solis has decided to revive the family tradition and resurrect My Office in the adjacent storefront. "The organic and sustainable philosophy we have at Nana will continue at My Office," Solis said. He also said he's received preliminary approval from the neighborhood's power brokers at the 11th Ward Democratic Organization to start the process of getting My Office off the ground.

As for a timetable for expecting My Office to open, Solis wouldn't say as it's still in the planning stages. It is, at least, good news for Bridgeport residents looking for more nightlife options within walking distance from their homes.