Au Cheval's Brendan Sodikoff Is Heading Up A New Food Hall, On The Mag Mile

By Stephen Gossett in Food on Nov 2, 2017 3:44PM

900 N Michigan Shops / Google

One of Chicago's busiest, buzziest restaurateurs, Brendan Sodikoff is taking the reins on the latest installment of the city's buzziest culinary trend. No, not poke. That's dead. We speak of food halls, of course. The Hogsalt Hospitality founder is heading up the in-the-works food hall that's set to debut at the 900 North Michigan Shops mall, on the Magnificent Mile.

Sodikoff—whose empire includes Au Cheval, Maude's Liquor Bar, Doughnut Vault, California Clipper, Gilt Bar and several other high-profile ventures—and his company will oversee the transition of two floors at the mall into the food court. Expect to see up to 15 vendors (most likely some Hogsalt satellites and some other faces) spread throughout the 21,000 square feet of space, on floors five and six.

Given the tourist-friendly environs and Au Cheval's vaunted reputation, it certainly seems like a good location for an outpost—though that's purely wishful speculation.

The group hopes to have the hall open by fall of next year.

As you may have noticed, food halls are so hot right now. The most recent, Forum 55, opened last month in the Loop, rebranding and upgrading an old food-court space with well-respected vendors. That followed in the wake of Revival Food Hall, Latinicity, Eataly, the announced Wells St. Market, et al. So far, the bubble shows no threats of a burst.