We received a public notice in our mailbox from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Local Liquor Control Commission. After a rousing Friday night thanks to guests leaving Utopia, we were still excited to be informed that an outfit called "Flo and Santo LLC" has applied for a liquor license at 1310 S. Wabash, Howie's old location. They've asked for any objections to be sent to their office, but I think we're all for it. After some Googling, it looks like they've requested to have a catering liquor license and a license to allow consumption on the premises. All sounds good to us!Sure enough, thanks to everyblock, a "Flo and Santo LLC" has applied for an on premise and catering liquor license at 1310 S. Wabash. So obviously it looks as if something is going to be moving into this space.
Upon doing some more googling, we found that there is a restaurant in the Ukrainian Village (1434 W Chicago) called Flo Cafe and Bar. Although this is complete speculation, maybe it's associated with this space. They do have a specific tab on their website dedicated to catering.
Regardless, glad to see that there probably will be a new cafe/restaurant opening in this space!
13 comments:
I spoke with one of the owners of Zapatista last week and he is involved in this project. Flo is a polish women that will be running this with him. I don't know if there is any relation with Flo Cafe & Bar, but it does sound like they are still working out the menu. The three things that were mentioned in the conversation were pizza, polish food and beer. I am not sure how well pizza and polish food go together or if they are really going to have both of those, but in any event it will be nice to have another place in there. And hopefully, since somebody from Zapatista is involved this place will be a little more lively than Howie's was.
Thanks for the background. Sounds interesting regardless.
This is great news! Now, let's hope something new opens in the Utopia spot as well.
Good Info!
AWESOME! Food!
Great sleuthing Sloopers! I was optimistic when we got the notice but agree that if Zap is behind it, amen, it may just be a keeper. I like pierogis, deep dish too. . . bring it!
Can someone clue me in as to what Utopia is? I'm thinking very hard but cannot come up with where/what this is? Thanks! Great if something good is going in Howie's space. We could use more options in the sloop!
Utopia took over the Exposure spot on Wabash, right next to Zapatista. Didn't realize they were gone already.
I met a manager from Utopia on Monday night. It sounds like they have some pretty good deals some nights, including a wednesday night buffet. I'll try to check it out soon.
Utopia is the dump next to Zapatista. You probably didn't notice it because it has one sign scotch taped over the front door and all the bright lit up awnings say "exposure," which was the last dump in that space. If the owners are this lazy out in front, imagine what it's like in the kitchen.
Completely agree with the last comment about Utopia. The exterior (the "dump") is indeed an eyesore on the community. We tried the food once, when it was exposure. The service was bad, the vibe inside was very ghetto, and the food was below average. I'm not one for wishing ill-will on small business owners (especially in this hood where we have very little options) - but this place should hang it up.
I think I read that the owners of utopia are the same people who owned exposure (hence, not bothering to change the sign). Hopefully eventually something with good food will open there soon.
Welcoming news for the South Loop.
Pizza and Pub and Polish Food - not
a bad combination. Could work very well. Kudo's to the American Spirit to open new place in these difficult times.
Chef Luciano
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