Sloopin Top Ten of 2012: #10 - The Drama that was Alain's

2012 is almost over and with that we fired up our google analytics account to see which stories had the most views during the year.  With that said, look for posts daily counting down our top ten stories of 2012.

#10:  The Drama that was Alain's
Where to begin...

It all started back in October of 2011 when we learned that Alain's was moving into the retail space at 1355 S. Michigan.  Of interest (and much fanfare) was that the restaurant was associated with Bears d-line stud Israel Indonije.

We then read an article in the Tribune stating that they were shooting for a January 2012 opening.  Not surprisingly that didn't happen.  We heard a lot of rumblings that the concept was dead, but then in April a simple sign reading "Alain's" appeared on the door and naturally things seemed back on track.

The restaurant build-out was in full swing and there was a lot of movement at the restaurant.  This all progressed to a post we did on August 3rd announcing the grand opening of Alain's and the blossoming restaurant/bar scene at the corner of 14th and Michigan.

Life seemed good for eaters and drinkers in the Sloop, but this was relatively short lived as an ominous (and familiar) green eviction sign appeared on the door on September 24th.  Naturally this was surprising to everyone in the neighborhood as the place just opened a couple of weeks ago.

There was a lot of information and rumors floating around and Chicago Magazine even went on to say that Alain's would re-open on October 1st.  Well that didn't happen.  The writing was on the wall when red for lease signs went up on the windows.

Since then the restaurant owners have been sued by the landlord and former employees.

This drama isn't all bad.  The good news was that the space was ready to accommodate a restaurant or bar.  And just last week those red for lease signs have come down and a we found out that a Mediterranean restaurant potentially named Kurah is going to be moving in.

That's a lot of drama.  Hopefully the new restaurant has a better go at it then Alain's did.