Bargain cocktails, NYC pizza and Trotter's return to Chicago
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A grasshopper, Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman, and the bar at Gus' Sip & Dip. Photos: Monica Eng/Axios
Despite the wintery temps, restaurant openings are heating up this month.
Gus' Sip & Dip in River North
Lettuce Entertain You founder Rich Melman has taken the old Hub 51 spot in River North back to the future with Gus' Sip & Dip.
The vibe: "I wanted to recreate a 1960s bar with really good food people can relate to and classic cocktails at a really nice price — $12 for all of them," Melman tells Axios, noting that the warm lighting is meant to make "everyone look suntanned."
On the menu: Top-notch twists on martinis, grasshoppers, Harvey Wallbangers, stingers and more along with fish 'n' chips ($26.95), a luscious smoked ham sandwich ($22.95) on Cristal bread, and a wagyu beef dip ($25.95) with horseradish cream.
Monica's pick: The grasshopper and warm olives with Parmesan cheese ($8.95).
Bonus decor points: Framed cue cards from a "Saturday Night Live" Blues Brothers' performance (with Jim Belushi) and a vintage pink phone in the ladies' room.
Prince Street Pizza in Fulton Market
Local food entrepreneurs David Choi (Seoul Taco) and Matt Chiu (Chiu Quon Bakery) have partnered with this New York pizzeria to bring big NYC slices and Sicilian squares to their first location in the Midwest.
What they're saying: "We've got some great Detroit pies and obviously tavern and deep dish here already, but I think [Prince] might be the best walking pizzas in the country," Choi tells Axios. "We're bringing something different and truly authentic to how a grab-and-go shop should be."
On the menu: This tiny, counter-only shop serves a wide array of generous, crisp-bottomed Sicilian squares ($5.75-7), including the Spicy Spring, with Prince's signature pepperoni cups, and the Chicago Supreme, with Italian sausage, pepperoni and Caruso's giardiniera.
Monica's advice: Skip the NY slices for a square of the Spicy Spring.
Charlie Trotter's returns
At press time, a few seats were still open for Next's Charlie Trotter tribute dinners, presented for two weeks at the original Lincoln Park location.
Yes, but: If you can't get one of those hot $315 tickets, you can still dine in the historic building later this year.
- Block Club reports that the late chef's son, Dylan Trotter, plans to reopen the restaurant sometime in 2025. Stay tuned.
Los Angeles fire relief
Dozens of local restaurants are joining forces with Chicago Chefs Cook to raise money for fire relief in Los Angeles.
- Order certain dishes in the next few weeks and a portion of the sales will be donated.
- Find the whole list here.