Ole' Hardwood Fire Deemed "Incendiary"

Ole' Hardwood, the short-lived gastro-smokehouse that went up in flames on December 30, 2010 seemed suspicious from the start. Barely open for three months in a location that saw two previous restaurants come and go in as many years, Ole' Hardwood took a pounding from local restaurant critics shortly before the fire.

Ole' Hardwood boarded up after fire damaged it December 30, 2010.

The fire is now considered incendiary according to a report at the Chicago Journal Web site. The investigation of the restaurant at 1315 S. Wabash has been turned over to the Chicago Police Department Bomb and Arson Unit, according to Quentin Curtis, spokesman for the Chicago Fire Department.

Utopia opened and closed in 2010.

Ole Hardwood Owner, Julius Thomas owned two other restaurants at the 1315 S Wabash address: Exposure Tapas opened and closed in 2009 and Utopia opened and closed in 2010.

End of Utopia

Utopia in the South Loop  was Short-lived

I think it's safe to say this place is closed. I called their number and the recording says the number has been "temporarily disconnected." Their Web site is still up, which makes it appear to still be in operation.

Doesn't look very inviting

Nothing is happening here.