All The Local Food News You Missed During The Election

By Anthony Todd in Food on Nov 10, 2016 3:26PM

Mussels at Bar Lupo, now open. Photo via Facebook.

Let's be honest: We weren't paying much attention to restaurant news over the last few days, for obvious reasons. But that doesn't mean nothing was happening! Here's a roundup of some of the key happenings so far this week.

Rick Bayless is making a change to his Wicker Park restaurant. Formerly known as Xoco Bistro, it will now be known as Fonda Frontera, according to a statement from his restaurant group. Instead of the more fast-casual (like the downtown Xoco) menu, it will now focus on raw seafood, a wood burning grill and, in a sure sign that Wicker Park is definitely filled with aging hipsters, a great value $6 childrens' menu.

Arami, which had closed because of a fire back in October, is back open and serving its well-known awesome sushi. According to a statement from the restaurant, there's some new dishes on the menu to celebrate the opening, and Eater Chicago has the full menu. We congratulate the place on its fast turnaround. The same group has also just opened Entente, a more upscale fine dining spot, on Lincoln Avenue.

Bar Lupo, a new Italian spot from veterans of Maple & Ash and RIA, has been open for a little over two weeks now. Zagat Chicago has a full profile of the restaurant, but we're actually most excited about the return of Liz Pearce, formerly of The Drifter and The Drawing Room, to the bar scene. It's occupying the old Oak & Char (and before that Graham Elliot) spot, which has a ton of potential to be gorgeous. According to Chicago Mag, there's homemade pasta and sausages. That being said, it's hard to get too excited about another River North mid-priced Italian spot, so we're reserving judgement on whether Bar Lupo is worth a visit until we actually get there.