Karamela Kafe closes, Asian Outpost to open “soon”

Doors are locked and pastry display is gone.

It looks like Karamela Kafe, 1250 S. Michigan Ave., is closed. The doors are locked and their pastry display is no longer part of its unique rectangular counter. The last update to their Facebook page was made February 15, 2013. It was a comfortable place with good coffee and pastries, as well as crepes. A nice concept for the neighborhood, but apparently they weren’t able to make a go of it.

Asian Outpost, 1315 S. Wabash Ave., will be opening in the space formerly occupied by Ole Hardwood (closed due to fire in December 2010). According a post in ChicagoMag.com, David and Lois Lee, owners of the Chicago chain Hot Woks Cool Sushi will be serving up “rustic” mid-priced Asian fare. The Lees plan on opening their new restaurant midsummer. You can like their Facebook page to check for opening updates.

Asian Outpost will open in the the former Ole Hardwood
space at 1315 S. Michigan Ave.

Thinking about Asian Outpost, it will be great to have that section of Wabash Ave. occupied with several interesting dining options.

City Tavern to open in Grace O’Malley space this May

 Grace O’Malley's was located at 1416 S. Michigan Ave.

According to Chicago magazine’s online Dish column, Kendal Duque and the folks that own Chicago Firehouse and WabashTap, will open City Tavern a “18th-century tavernesque” at 1416 S. Michigan Ave. The menu is being created by Kendal Duque, the chef at Chicago Firehouse, according to Dish editors Penny Pollack and Graham Meyer.

According to Dish, the bar and dining areas have been “united.” Kind of a fancy way of saying they knocked down a wall! The atmosphere is supposed to evoke Revolutionary-era inns of New England.

Dish says the menu will be small, but focused on “ingredients,” according to  Duque. The ingredients will be “simple” and “elegant.”

Grace O’Malley’s closed in February 2011.

When we learn more details, including the exact opening date, we’ll post here.

Baltzley Out, Letrero In at Tribute

Set to open in June at 800 S. Michigan Ave.

 
According to a Twitter post by Chicago Magazine's dining editor, Penny Pollack, chef Brandon Baltzley is out at chef of Tribute set to open June 21, 2011. Replacing Baltzley is Lawrence Letrero who was chef at Karyn's on Green on Green.

A check of today's Tribute's Twitter page reveals the change (see below).

Gioco: It's Open!

Penny Pollack from Chicago Magazine called it on April 20, 2011, and she was right. If you walked by Gioco this evening, you would have seen that the South Loop landmark is open for business.

As promised, Gioco was open for business tonight.

Now that Gioco is open again, will you be dining there any time soon?

About Last Night...at "Meet Me at the Movies" and Little Branch Wrap Party

Hitchcock's Favorite
Alfred Hitchcock's personal favorite, Shadow of a Doubt, was screened last night at the monthly "Meet Me at the Movies." The movie events are held at Sherwood Community Music School, Columbia College recital hall, 1312 S. Michigan Ave. Movies are shown at 6:30 p.m.


Many attendees had never seen this classic film starring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton. The consensus was pretty unanimous that it was worthy of the title classic; many were surprised by the ending, even though it was a satisfying one.

The LBC burger with sweet potato fries...and a glass of wine

Wrap Party at Little Branch Cafe
After the movie, a group of us went to Little Branch Cafe at 1251 S. Prairie Ave. for dinner. A favorite brunch spot of mine, I had never eaten dinner there before. The menu has something for everyone including chicken and waffles, crispy grilled cheese, and red and golden beet salad.  I opted for the LBC burger with sweet potato fries. The  burger was juicy and flavorful. The burger and fries were served with a spicy ketchup that added a little kick to the already delicious burger. LBC has a great reputation for breakfast and brunch (best French toast in Chicago according to Chicago Magazine), so it's great to see them serving up dinner too. And if you want a glass of wine or beer to pair with your meal, they have a full bar and offer daily and weekly drink specials.

Happy diners at Little Branch Cafe after the movie

November "Meet Me at the Movies"
Next month's (November 19) movie presentation is Otto Preminger's classic murder mystery Laura. The film stars screen legends, Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb (nominated for Best supporting actor). Other members of the cast include Vincent Price and Judith Anderson. This 1944 film made Tierney a film icon and the films haunting musical theme written by David Raksin is forever linked to the actress.

For more information regarding upcoming and future "Meet Me at the Movies" events, check this blog, the "Meet Me at the Movies" Facebook page, or the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance (PDNA) Web site.