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.

Chicago Restaurant Week

Today is the start of the 3rd annual Chicago Restaurant Week. It runs through February 28. Over 170 restaurants around the city have special prix fixe meals for lunch and dinner.

South Loop favorites
Some South Loop favorites are among those participating, including The Chicago Firehouse, La Cantina Grill, Weather Mark Tavern, Zapatista's, and one of my favorites, Tampas Valencia.

This is a great way to check out some of those restaurants you've been meaning to try and, with the prix fixe meals, save some money too.

Support neighborhood restaurants
To find out more about what restaurants are participating, click on the Chicago Restaurant Week link. When considering new restaurants, don't neglect the ones in our own backyard.