Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Square One is Ready to Evolve to What the Neighborhood Needs

The more we hear about the new bar, Square One at 1400 S. Michigan, the more we like (via Chicago Magazine):
When you’re opening a bar, you’ve got to start somewhere, so why not Square One (1400 S. Michigan Ave.; no phone yet), a bar scheduled to open in mid-May, from the owners Alex Hernandez and Ron Vaisman. They plan a warm-wood, aged-leather wine bar with temperature- and air-controlled wine stations allowing self-service wine pours of any amount. About 60 seats inside and 30 outside on 14th Street have table service for a simple menu of charcuterie, cheeses, and spreads. Hernandez, who also owns Waffles and manages at Japonais, says they hope to adapt according to the needs of what they consider an underserved South Loop. “We want to evolve and see what the neighborhood wants,” he says. “If there is a need for sushi, we will do that, but we want to do it right.” And if they need to go all the way back to square one, at least they already have the name.

First off, glad to hear that they're still planning on a mid-May opening. Second, we've been impressed with Waffles thus far, so have high hopes for Square One.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds intriguing, so long as the assumption of what the South Loop needs isn't along the lines of a $12 waffle as well.

Anonymous said...

There's a need for more craft beer joints. My feeling is there are more beer drinkers than wine drinkers in the South Loop. Why else did the wine stores go out of business.

My fiance went to this really cool shop/bar in Seattle. They had all sorts of unique beers across the country, but mainly Pacific Northwest. You could either buy and take home or open the bottle and drink right there. More a feeling of a coffee shop than a bar. Wish we could get something like that around here.

Anonymous said...

I was not at all impressed with Waffles. All 3 orders were cold and overpriced. Even the hot chocolate wasn't hot! I want it to succeed but won't pay those prices for substandard food. I look forward to visiting the bar when it opens.

Anonymous said...

I agree waffles is awful. Incredibly expensive for mediocre food. No thank you!

Steven said...

I think everyone will be impressed with Square 1. I was in there this past saturday morning with the wife and we were able to finally see the floor plan. Looks really good---their main focus is going to be relaxing and private.

And no they will not have "craft beer" and burritos so I assume most of this blog will not be in attendence, thankfully.

Anonymous said...

Agree with the sentiment - waffles was a miss. I won't be visiting again

Anonymous said...

There is a major need for this type of place (the wine shops closed for their own reasons). Re:
Craft Beer places: Broad Shoulders Brewing is opening this summer where you will be able to try/buy. Also, although I like Waffles, I agree you need to get a bit more for the money or drop the price by 1-2 dollars / item (I have money and am not cheap). I hope Square One provides a variety of options (not just ONE TYPE OF CHEESE PLATE OR MEAT PLATE). Really looking forward to this spot (need something like this in Motor Row area also!)

BRENDAN said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BRENDAN said...

"Waffles is awful"



Good Lord. Please do something about these "people" soon sloopy.

Anonymous said...

BRENDAN are you kidding? How is the comment that waffles is awful stupid? It's an opinion. Maybe it's not YOUR opinion, but that doesn't mean it's stupid. Two other people chose to comment and agree, so we are all stupid?

There are also lines out the door at Yolk, Bongo Room, and Eleven City Diner. Those are the places I choose to go. I hope the owner of waffles does look at these comments, maybe the prices will go down or the amount/quality of food will increase.

Anonymous said...

Waffles is overpriced considering serving size. I think most of us, even healthy people, think of yolk or traditional diner sized servings for breakfast. You dont go to Waffles for a good meal, its about the presentation. Whatever thats worth. I wish all Sloop businesses will including Waffles and very excited about Square One. Lets just hope a mid May open doesnt turn into October. This is the developers son Ron who is involved so im assuming permits and city issues wont be a problem like they are for most.

BRENDAN said...

waffles ingredients are fresh and MADE TO ORDER. Just because you do not like it doesnt mean you can generalize the entire resturant as "AWFUL".

And yes I think you are stupid. Thats my opinion. Dont's sell dumb around here

When will the idiocy end..

ms j said...

I hope that the pricing model for Waffles is not the same for Square One (I think the food is decent, but I will rarely go there because of the price). That said, I have no interest in a wine bar; I need beer or cocktails to get me into a place, and I don't think I'm alone in the S.Loop. Please, Square One, take the advice of your constituents!

Anonymous said...

Completely agree with the comments re: waffles. Such a bad vibe both times I went there. From the unbelievably rude hostess to the bland, over-priced food. There's a reason why other spots in the neighborhood have lines out the door and this place doesn't!

Anonymous said...

I am not sure how good or bad Waffles is but when I walk by Sat and Sun. morning, there are ALWAYS lines out the door.

Anonymous said...

I'm excited about a wine bar...we have plenty of beer/cocktail centered places in the Sloop (Weathermark, Scout, Krolls, Wabash Tap etc). Let's hope this place is comfortable and inviting, not as stark as Waffles.

Anonymous said...

I have been to Waffles many times and have tried at least 4 different meals. All have been way above average. It's clear there are some haters, but i agree that this place is always packed on the weekend.

Must be doing something right...

Alex said...

Can we all agree to disagree on waffles? It's safe to say each diner has had a unique experience.... no? The first time I went to waffles the inside of our food was still frozen. It was opening week so I decided to give it another try a few weeks later and it was great.... Anyways, let's stick to the square one discussion- this blog is about a new opening on 14th and michigan which is very exciting! I love wine and I'm looking forward to a place close to home to get a drink after a long day at work. I'm also really appreciative the owners are willing to cater to the neighborhood's needs, it will certainly help their business... Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

Anonymous said...

Long lines @ waffles due to the fact that it sits along a pretty desolate commercial strip with little/no competition. Again, this was why Grace O'Malleys was always pretty full despite terrible food and service. A place like waffles (that quality for that price) wouldn't survive in the "real" neighborhoods on the north and northwest sides where plenty of viable alternatives exist.

Anonymous said...

I gave up on waffles. We go to wildberry now. Same long wait but much better food (not that waffles is bad) bigger portions and much more reasonable pricing.

Anonymous said...

People who think waffles portions aren't big enough or too expensive need to reevaluate their diet. If you are unhappy with it, go supersize it at McDonalds. The portions at Waffles are more than enough for one meal and reasonably priced.

jennymatt said...

i agree with ms j. she seems, no is, the smartest person among you.

down with waffles' prices and up with more craft beer bars (not as catchy on paper as it was in my head).

Anonymous said...

Same reason why we pack up the kids and head to Staxx on west taylor street for brunch on the weekends. Bigger portions, lower prices, and kid friendly. My family and my money will never return to waffles.

MarkChicago said...

The logic that a place survives simply because there is no competition highly flawed. Wouldn't Grace O'Malleys still be here if that were true? The Sloop has far fewer options than our friends up North, but the options we do have are excellent.

Anonymous said...

We have so few options in the Sloop because people that live in these condos do not support the neighborhood. When they are here, they are at home.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't say the options in the sloop are excellent. It's getting better year by year but we're far from excellent. Hopefully over the next 5-10 years I'll be able to find places here that are yet to exist. Give me a Publican style restaurant and I'll be a happy man.

Anonymous said...

My girlfriend and I were excited about Waffles until our first (and only) visit. Yes they're made to order, but I waited almost 10 minutes for a bland waffle with no personality. And with two waffles and a small (luke warm) coffee my total was like $23. Worst of all - we were still both hungry afterward.

I think it's more of a "place to be seen for brunch" than a "Wow, this food is awesome!" establishment but more power to the guys who own it. I don't particularly like the food but you're doing something right.

However, I do hope they don't overprice everything at Square One. It would almost be torture to live in a building with a bar you want nothing to do with.

Anonymous said...

Question is will it be strictly wine or will there be a limited selection of hard liquor and beer?

FitGuy said...

I really wish all the cheapskates would leave the south loop already

I am sick of people wanting huge portions for 5 dollars in downtown chicago.
Go move back to hinsdale and have breakfast at some greek diner cheapskates

Anonymous said...

If its a wine bar I'm sure they will have beer and liquor too. The only reason Winestyles didnt is because that was their business model. Think about, most places have all three. This the way the liquor license goes. Even Lush has wine and spirits and beer.

jennymatt said...

Wow, FitGuy. Bold words. First, eff you for calling people "cheap." Second, Hinsdale is one of the richest suburbs in the Chicago area, so your suggestion that the "cheap" people move there is ignorant. But I'm guessing you're not very smart in the first place.

Jacksp said...

As a south loop homeownerr I think we should all just be thankful our empty storrfronts are filling

Anonymous said...

Fitguy is clearly some short fatman so insecure he gets off by talking down to people on a blog. Moving on, I think its possible they stick to strictly wine. I dont think they are looking to attract the beer and spirit crowd at all. They are trying to create a completely new and different image from say the scout, wabash tap and the other bars. Winestyles was more of a store, this is an actual lounge so hard to compare. Either way I do hope it is reasonably priced.

Anonymous said...

fitguy and Brendan are just trolls on this message board. They're probably the same person.

steven said...

what is it about "anons" and calling everybody "trolls"

I would think ( based off off the comments from most of the anon post) that the anons are the trolls. Never has an anon contributed a single thing to this blog.

Anonymous said...

Since you mentioned Waffles...i just moved into the neighborhood and went on my firts weekend The food was good, service great but they do not take American Express cards. There are no signs stating this prior to purchase and it is not like the food is cheap.thebrestaurant is located in a neighborhood that lends itself to credit cards. The gal at the restaurant did not care when I told her I would not return to Waffles due to this policy.

MarkChicago said...

Work continues in the Alains/Entourage Man spot kitty-corner to Square One as of yesterday, but it appears very slowly. Anyone have any updates? I think someone mentioned that it's no longer being called "Alain's"?

Emily said...

Back to Square One --- I personally am excited for this. I'm already a huge supporter of the Scout (If you want more beer, just go there... it's less than 2 blocks away). My only concern is the deadline. Mid-May? Sounds great, but I remember last year when the opening date for Waffles kept getting pushed back, and back, and back.

The sooner I get my wine from Square One, the happier I'll be.

Anonymous said...

Emily would you go to Scout to drink wine? That's about how appealing their beer list is. It's barely better than a typical sports bar.

Anonymous said...

ANON @ 1102

I think scout might offer one of the most extensive beer lists in the city, dumby.

Emily said...

I'm not really sure how this can be lack luster... http://thescoutchicago.com/drinks.pdf