The new Buddy Guy's Legends (700 S. Wabash) is open and is having their official grand opening this Tuesday. Again, we haven't been inside but have peaked in and it looks to be much more open then the old club. We're hoping to head to the party on Tuesday and will let you know how our experience is. If you're eager to get more information on the new spot, the Chicago Sun-Times has a good read here.
It appears two new restaurants will be opening in the Sloop. Next door to Jimmy Green's (where the UFood and The Grill use to be) there is a sign for a "fast food" Asian restaurant called Wok Out. We've seen some movement and construction inside, so we will keep an eye on this.
Also next door to Winestyles on Michigan Avenue it appears that some construction is also happening in the last vacant retail spot within the Michigan Tower (1250 S. Michigan) condo building. Although we didn't find much about this online, we've been told it is a Pita place. If this is true, a pita place would be a solid addition on this stretch of Michigan Avenue in our opinion.
(Image from Chicago Sun-Times)
We went to Jimmy Green's this Sunday for lunch before heading to Printers Row Lit Fest. The place is very nice and trendy-looking inside. However, the food was average (at best) and the SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE! Unfortunately, this does not appear to be the "standout" addition to the Sloop we were all looking for.
ReplyDeleteOn the brightside, it looks like 'utopia/exposure/grand opening/now open' is finally shut down. It would be SUPERB if high-end pub grub type of bar and grill opened up in that spot!
It looks like a Sarpinos Pizza will be opening up at 1923 S Archer. There are "Coming Soon" signs in the windows of the building and their website also has it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gosarpinos.com
I've been to Jimmy greens a couple of times and I have to agree, while I wanted this place to be good, the food is low end bar food and it takes forever to get a drink. It's promising but it is obvious that the constuction company guys who decided to open a bar are more excited to entertain and show off for their friends than they are to create a unique place that lives up to it's billing as a gastropub
ReplyDeleteThis place is low rate. However, this is what you should expect from guys with absolutely no experience in the restaurant business.
ReplyDeleteI think there's also some activity in the retail spaces of 1720 S Michigan. South Loop Market is probably expanding or maybe it's something else.
ReplyDeleteWent to Jimmy Green's last week with two buddies. Three huge "thumbs down.". Sucks! We really need a great spot to watch a game and grab decent grub in this hood! Jimmy Green's is almost as bad as Grace O'Malley's! BTW: is Grace O'Malley's purposely letting weeds grow all over their outdoor sinage? Really doesn't look inviting.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Grace O'Malley's sucks? The food is above average, though a bit expensive, but still a better addition to our neighborhood than another subway.
ReplyDeleteI had a good experience Jimmy Greens. Nothing amazing but overall I think it's a good addition to the Sloop.
ReplyDeleteThe burger I had was above average and the waffle fries that came with it was good as well. Their beer list is also above average, not as good as Villains or Kasey's but on par with Krolls, I would argue.
The TV's all around the place were definitely top notch. My wife and I got a booth and we had a smaller flat screen in our booth (I say small but the size was still larger than other places I've seen with flat screens in the booth).
Overall I had a good experience, not sure why many of you are hating on this place so much.
I haven't been to Jimmy Green's yet, but if you don't like O'Mally's there is always Weather Mark and Kroll's.
ReplyDeleteSo far, Weather Mark is my favorite.
There's a sign for a Wing Stop over by the T Mobile store in the University Center at State and Harrison.
ReplyDeleteWalked by the place next to Winestyles the other day and saw through the window some blueprints laid out. Will be called "Pita Place".
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what's happening @ 'utopia/exposure/now open/grand opening'?
ReplyDeleteHopefully, catering to the low-brow ghetto crowd finally caught up with this "restaurant" and it was forced to close.
If true, will someone in the biz make sure that something, ANYTHING, viable opens in that spot! Such a great location. Any above-average place will do great there, considering sub-par spots like zapatista and grace o'malley's pack 'em in on warm nights.
Does anyone know the status of Utopia? I live next to the restaurant and really hope something new will be going in there. There seems to be no more valet service and the curtains are drawn and the signage is down. Needless to say I have not been a fan of the restaurant since the service and food has been sub par in my opinion. Plus they have in the past been throwing late private parties that have been very loud. Any updates would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe retail unit next to Winestyles will be Called "Pita Corner" according to a sign out front. It will serve "Mediterranean cuisine" and open in August 2010. Anyone else have more info?
ReplyDelete