Restaurant News: Achatz Takes Over ING Space, Sodikoff To Conquer 'Next Frontier'
By Lisa White in Food on Jun 27, 2014 4:30PM
-Chef Grant Achatz’s next concept will be next door to Next. Achatz and business partner Nick Kokonas have signed a lease on the former iNG space that shuttered last month after Chef Homaro Cantu announced he wanted to concentrate on moto and other projects in the works. It’s an obvious idea for Achatz to grab up the space since Next and Aviary already take up some of the prime real estate on that block. There is no other news about what the venture will be except it will likely open in early 2015. [Crain's]
-Knockbox Cafe, the cozy coffee shop in Humboldt Park that is one of our favorites, will be closing up shop when their lease is up in October. Why? Because the landlord of the building and Brendan Sodikoff have plans for the “growth area” or “next frontier” known as the intersection of Augusta and California. It looks like Sodikoff is now planning on opening multiple establishments at that intersection, as reported by DNAinfo Chicago. Because, as Sodikoff puts it, “It’s a very gratifying feeling...turning [an area] into something coveted.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
-In other sad closure news, beloved Bucktown spot The Bluebird closed last night after their final service. Co-owner Tom MacDonald stated they were approached by a buyer and the timing was right, since they want to focus their energy on moving Webster’s Wine Bar to the recently closed Telegraph location and Chef Dave Ford is moving to Kansas City to open his own restaurant. [Eater Chicago]
-Masada, the Middle Eastern restaurant from the owners of the popular Sultan’s Market, finally opened this week in Logan Square after a decade of work from the team on getting the project up and running. The menu offers a variety of small and large plates, wraps and cocktails just a few steps away from the California Blue Line stop. [Eater Chicago]
-If you like your coffee served with a bit of butter, you are in luck. The butter coffee trend has hit Chicago, although not everyone is buying the idea of mixing fat with your caffeine. DNAinfo talked to a few major players in the Chicago coffee world who swore off the idea of serving this “disgusting” beverage but Ugly Mug Cafe is giving it a chance. Although owner Mik Wright does admit it is an “acquired taste” [DNAinfo Chicago]