Friday, February 28, 2014

Jones College Prep Getting Athletic Field Down at Old Ickes Land; Will Be Open to the Public

CBS 2 reports: 
A new athletic facility will be built for a South Loop high school, but officials are avoiding the kind of controversy that surrounded a soccer field in Lincoln Park. CBS 2’s Jim Williams explains in this original report. 
Jones College Prep has a brand new, state of the art building. But in the land-locked South Loop, there’s no room on campus for an athletic field, so the city will convert a vacant lot two miles south of the high school. 
Alderman Dowell says the new park at 23rd and Federal should be ready by the beginning of the next school year. It’ll also be used by the National Teachers Academy. 
The Ickes Public Housing Apartments used to be there. Some of the former residents will return to new homes built on part of that land.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Mixed Use Residential Development Coming to 817 S. Wells?

A reader writes:
Walked down Wells street today, across from River City, and noticed that the parking log at 817 S Wells will soon be closing. I did a quick web search and found that it was listed for sale for $9M recently. I couldn't find anything about who might have bought it, or what the plans for the lot are. Have you heard anything? Printer's Row keeps keeps losing parking lots. It's got to stop!
Another reader writes a similar email, but has a little more detail:
They closed down this lot today at 817 S. Wells (across from River City). They wasted no time cleaning out the cars and snow to bore for soil samples. I spoke to one of the engineers hoping they would build a parking lot because many of the old lofts do not have parking. The engineer informed me that it is likely going to be mixed use residential.
This is news to us and we actually weren't aware of any planned developments for this lot (unless it has something to do with the British School of Chicago).

Does anyone have the scoop?

Here is another angle of the lot from Google Maps:

(Hat tip: CS & RB!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Polar Vortex 3 - The Sunrise

(Hat tip:  MP!)

Aurelio's Pizza to Open "Flagship" Restaurant at 1212 S. Michigan

The battle for the South Loop pizza market continues to heat up.  Last year it was Giordano's moving into the neighborhood.  Now it appears Aurelio's is entering the fray (via Chicago Eater):
Mostly-Midwestern pizza chain Aurelio's Pizza is planning a large flagship location in the South Loop, according to a press release from a real estate firm. 
The 5,000 square-foot space occupies most of the ground-floor of a residential building at 1212 S. Michigan and will be run by the Aurelio's corporation, the release states. Opening timeframe and other details are currently unknown.
We've only had Aurelio's once and remember it positively.

In regard to the location, we assume it will be in the space underneath Snap Fitness since that's the only vacant space on the ground floor that we know of:

Seems like a pretty good spot for a pizza place.  They will get a ton of foot traffic from Soldier Field, Museum Campus and Grant Park.  Slightly surprised Giordano's didn't snap up that location, but good for Aurelio's.  Best of luck!

(Hat tip: JB!)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Lakeside Bank Headquarters Coming to Northwest Corner of Michigan & 14th

We've been writing about Lakeside Bank relocating to the northwest corner of 14th and Michigan given the city's attempt to take over their land for the Motor Row entertainment district for awhile now.  

DNAinfo Chicago confirms this, provides some more info as well as some juicy renderings:
Lakeside Bank will build a new headquarters in the South Loop with a feature that is somewhat rare on Michigan Avenue so close to Downtown: a drive-through. 
The two-story brick building at 14th Street is scheduled to be completed before the end of the year for the Chicago-based bank, which currently has six locations citywide. 
The building's L-shaped design wraps around the corner of Michigan Avenue and 14th Street, enclosing a 28-space parking lot for customers and three drive-through windows with entrances and exits along 14th Street.

While some will undoubtedly bash this, in our opinion it's a nice development.  The bank will bring some weekday foot traffic to the area during the day and won't try to jam more condos/rental into the area.

In our books this is a good development.  What do you think?

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

What Could Have Been Chicago 2016

The Sochi 2014 winter olympics are officially over.  With that creepy bear mascot still fresh in our minds, we can't help but be nostalgic with what could have been Chicago 2016.

Curbed Chicago has an excellent post with a ton of old info on our failed bid:
The Games in Sochi have been marred by technical errors and the incessant griping from media representatives about the living conditions in the Russian city. But Chicago's Olympic bid will be remembered for being the lowest scoring bid in the first round, essentially making it dead on arrival at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session.  
Come with us as we take a walk down memory lane, and take a look at what could have been. If Chicago was selected as the host city for the 2016 Summer Games, the city's transformation would have been well underway by now as our fair city would have been the very next in line to host the event.
And for those wanting even more, here is an entertaining video of what could have been:

Monday, February 24, 2014

Quarterly Report: Nordstrom Rack Opening at The Maxwell on September 10th

The Maxwell Renderings (from Bond Company)
Things at The Maxwell retail development (corner of Taylor and Canal) are progressing pretty quickly despite our brutal winter.  The shell of the building is pretty much done and the interior is getting worked on as we speak.

A financially savvy reader recently sent us a link to Nordstrom's quarterly report that lists upcoming openings and their corresponding dates:

Seems like everything is pretty much on schedule and we might have some more places to shop this fall.

(Hat tip:  CM!)

Saturday, February 22, 2014

The CTA Drinking Map Loves The Scout, Jimmy Green's & Reggie's

The fine peeps at Thrillist provide us with a CTA bar map.  The Scout, Jimmy Green's and Reggie's get the love in the Sloop:
We decided to whip out a copy of the CTA's map and our bar rolodex to plot out the best & closest bar to every one of the most popular "L" stops (sorry Skokie), and replaced each stop name with the name of said booze-slinger. The only rule: all of the bars had to be under a 10min walk away from their respective stop. You can check out a blown-up version of the CTA bar map here, plus check out deets on every single watering hole below.

Friday, February 21, 2014

McCormick Market Moving In On Cermak


Not sure about what McCormick Market is, but apparently it's moving in on Cermak just west of Michigan avenue.

We did some googling, but couldn't find much on the market.  If we had to guess, it will probably be a convenience store similar to that of South Loop Pantry, Go Grocery or Urban Pantry.

While it might not be the sexiest retail business, it will be nice to have some more space occupied near Motor Row.

(Hat tip:  RE!)

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Lawrence's Fisheries Recognized as One of Chicagoist's 8 Best 24-Hour Restaurants That Isn't a Diner

Lawrence's Fisheries (2120 S. Canal)
So we've written about this before, but still haven't been to Lawrence's Fisheries.  It's our goal to go sometime this year.

While it's debatable whether or not this is in the Sloop (we would say it's just outside of the Sloop), it's pretty close.  Anyway, Chicagoist says it's one of the 8th best 24-hour restaurant that's not a diner:
Lawrence’s Fisheries Calumet Fisheries gets most of the love and all of the James Beard recognition among local fish shacks. But they aren’t open 24 hours a day. When I’m feeling peckish after a night on the town and looking for something that will both sustain me and soak up any residual alcohol without leaving a place with grease in my hair and clothes, I head to this restaurant overlooking the south branch of the Chicago River where Pilsen, Chinatown and Brigeport intersect. Originally a commercial fishing venture specializing in smoked fish caught in Lake Michigan, Lawrence’s Fisheries now serves an array of fried fish, oysters, chicken, clam strips, frog legs and some of the best fried shrimp and catfish in Chicago. If you don’t want to partake in 3 a.m. carbo loading they also have boiled shrimp (one of their signatures) and salads that will set you straight before the sun rises and bores like a drill into your head. —Chuck Sudo 
 Lawrence’s Fisheries is located at 2120 S. Canal St.

The post also talks about two other 24 hour joints that are relatively close to the Sloop (Three Happiness and Jim's Original and Express Grill).

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Blue Star Auto Sales to Become "Low Cost" Apartments

Rendering of new apartments where Blue Star Auto Sales Shop currently sits
Some new apartments are poised to come to an old historic, but dilapidated building in the Sloop (via DNAinfo Chicago):
Developer Windy City RE hopes to renovate the Blue Star Auto Sales shop at 2001 S. State St. into a mixed-use building with 25 apartments and 20,500 square feet of retail space. 
Windy City RE bought the historic building that once housed the Cullerton Hotel, and the adjacent property at 2000 S. Wabash Ave., in November, and plans to renovate both into mixed-use buildings without adding any height or altering the current structures' footprints, principal Joshua Rubenstein said.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Asian Outpost Featured As Chicago Magazine's 10 Hottest Restaurants in February

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ASIAN OUTPOST
Despite opening during our polar vortex winter, Asian Outpost (1315 S. Wabash) has been getting some solid reviews and love from the media and readers.

You may recall a very positive review from one of our readers we posted back in early January.  

ASIAN OUTPOST When the owner’s Grandma Lee made her “famous steak,” everyone showed up for dinner. And the beat goes on. 1315 S. Wabash Ave., 312-662-1100

We actually recently went for the first time and totally understand what all the fuss is about.  The menu isn't gigantic, but everything sounded delicious.  We opted to go the chicken rout for this experience and our favorites included "Mom's Ginger Garlic Fried Chicken" and "Garden Vegetable Wok Seared Jasmine Rice with Edamame and Chicken".  Both were unique and delicious.
Mom's Ginger Garlic Chicken
The also have some exotic sushi rolls that we hope to try next time.

In regard to ambiance, it was surprising.  The space was much bigger than we thought from peaking in from the outside, yet it was warm and cozy and truly felt like you were eating at someones house (in a good way).

Finally, we had a chance to meet Lois Lee, the owner, who was extremely friendly and down to earth.

We will be back - very soon!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Shots Around the Sloop: Thundersnow!

(Hat tip: CD!)

Sizing Up Competitors for Obama Presidential Library

Image from Politico
In honor of President's day, we thought it would be fitting to post a recent article we read on Politco about the Obama Presidential Library selection process.  While it doesn't talk about the Sloop, many in Chicago think it could end up close to our hood:
The University of Chicago may be touted as the clear front-runner to host Barack Obama’s presidential library and museum, but universities from the East Coast to Hawaii aren’t ready to cede the race: They’re putting up a fight to claim a piece of the president’s legacy — and the cash that comes along with it. 
While the old Michael Reese campus (just south of the Sloop) could house it, recently city hall seemed to discount that idea.  Another long shot would be converting Lakeside Center at McCormick Place into the library.  Seems like it would fit in well with the other museums in the museum campus.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

What $1,195 a Night Gets You Just North of the Sloop

Some real estate porn for your Saturday morning.  Curbed Chicago takes a look at a apartment just north of what we consider the Sloop:
Attention Chicago area bachelors, you can stay at this swanky yet sleazy South Loop penthouse loft for only $1195 a night. At 2500 square feet, there is plenty of room for friends, guests and debauchery in this pad. The penthouse was apparently featured on the TV show House Hunters, but it's no surprise why a potential home buyer passed on this one. The loft also features a huge roof top deck, two bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.

Friday, February 14, 2014

DePaul Students, Faculty Speak Out Against Motor Row Arena

Rendering of the new (and approved)
DePaul Basketball Arena - via 
Chicago Tribune
More news about the proposed DePaul arena in Motor Row.  This time, students and faculty are speaking up against the proposal (via Gapers Block):
DePaul University student activists are trying to halt the new $173 million basketball arena construction project, which is currently set to begin later this year. 
The student organization, the Contingent for an Alternatively Funded Arena, has been working since the plan to build an arena was announced in May, approximately a week after 54 Chicago Public Schools were voted be shut down.

Separately, the faculty is arguing the money would be better used for something else:
Tom Mondschean, a professor of economics at DePaul, released a memo to all faculty council members expressing the proposal from a financial perspective. The memo was reviewed by central administration before it was sent out.  
In a letter signed by several faculty, it was suggested that the $70 million could be better used in other areas such as higher financial aid for students. We should be careful to distinguish between one-time purchases such as this proposal and annual expenditures such as student financial aid. It is not a fair comparison since we would not use long-term capital investments to fund operating expenses (at least I hope not).
The drama and debate continues.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Active Transportation Alliance Proposes Car-Free Streets; Includes Idea for Clark and/or Dearborn in the Sloop

One of our favorite things about European cities are their pedestrian streets.  That's why we perked up when we read a new proposal put out by the Active Transportation Alliance that suggests implementing similar concepts in Chicago (via Chicago Tribune):
The idea of car-free streets might seem pointless to some, but if selected thoughtfully they are just the kind of peaceful havens that are in too-short supply in Chicago, a civic group says.  
That group, which for years has advocated pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly Chicago streets, is releasing a proposal Wednesday for 20 car-free areas and public plazas across the city. 
The Active Transportation Alliance's objective is to make downtown and the neighborhoods more attractive places to live and shop, and to help residents get around easily and safely by promoting more bicycling and walking while also reducing traffic accidents, officials at the alliance said.
And one of the areas the group identified was Dearborn and/or Clark.  While it sounds like the plan is to alter one or both of the streets, it wouldn't be car-free, but rather less cars:
Dearborn and/or Clark Streets, River North to South Loop. Example concept: convert a travel lane on Clark to a protected bike lane with a landscaped seating area next to it.
We're pretty sure this has already been done on Dearborn, but maybe they're proposing taking it to the next level.  Dearborn technically doesn't have a landscaped seating area.

This isn't the first time something similar has been talked about on Sloopin.  As you may recall we thought it would be a great idea to transform Dearborn between Polk and Harrison into a walking street way back in 2010.

We can dream.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Map Showcasing Filming Locations in the City and the Sloop

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Sloop has been the setting for many TV shows and movies lately.  It seems like every week we're posting something or someone is sending us a shot of the Sloop being featured in something (speaking of which a reader sends us the picture below from Shameless).

With all this activity in the Sloop and the greater Chicago area, DNAinfo has put together a nifty interactive map that shows some of the locations where various shoots have occurred.  Here is a screen grab zooming in on the Sloop:

The link to the article and map for DNAinfo is here.

And here is what the reader sent us about Shameless (which is on Showtime):
A few months back, 16th & Wabash was closed off for a filming location in the evening. I just watched the most recent episode of Shameless and it turns out that's what they filmed there. They turned the condo building on the NE corner of 16th and Wabash into a "hospital" where Fiona (played by Emmy Rossum) gets arrested.
GO SLOOP!

(Hat tip: YL!)

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Victory Barber Salon Closing Up Shop; Moving in With Orlando Hair Salon on South Michigan

Victory Barber's opened at 1926 S. State back in 2011 and it appears that they're closing up shop and moving in with another barber slightly south of their current location.  A reader sends us this email:
Victory Barber Salon Clients, 
Many of you may already be aware but the management of Victory Barber Salon has decided to permanently close and relocate to another Barbershop in the South Loop Neighborhood. February 15th 2014 will be the last day we are accepting clients. Please bring cash for payment, we will not be accepting debit or credit cards during this last week of Business. 
As of Tuesday February 18th the new location will be Orlando Hair Salon, located at 2418 S. Michigan Ave (Located between Action Advertising and Kids Corner Daycare on the corner of E. 24th Pl.) If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment at the new location please call (312)-225-8428. Also, there is free street parking on 24th and Michigan on both sides of the street and on the side of the building. 
Thank you for your years of support and patronage. We ask for your continued support as we transition to a new location. 
-Victory Barber Salon Management

(Hat tip:  VG!)

Monday, February 10, 2014

Developer of South Loop Mariano's Sells Property for $40 Million - Makes Nice Return

The Mariano's at 1615 S. Clark.
Photo courtesy of Simon Konover Co.
Remember when we posted about the Mariano's property in the Sloop being for sale before it was completed in July.  Well apparently it was sold and with a nice return for the developer (via Crain's):
A New York real estate investor bought the Mariano's Fresh Market in the South Loop, delivering a big return to the store's developers. 
A venture managed by Leon Melohn, CEO of New York-based Melohn Properties Inc., paid $40.5 million earlier this month for the 65,568-square-foot grocery store at 1615 S. Clark St., Cook County property records show. 
The sellers, a joint venture of Chicago-based Bucksbaum Retail Properties LLC, Franklin, Wis.-based Outlook Development Group and West Hartford, Conn.-based Simon Konover Co., were expected to spend $22.7 million developing the store, according to a city of Chicago report about the project from 2012. The joint venture financed the store with an $18 million construction loan from Chicago-based PrivateBank & Trust Co., according to property records.

“I'm sure it's a very nice return on equity. They created a lot of value,” said Peter Block, executive vice president in the Rosemont office of Colliers International who wasn't involved in the deal.

Nice work for them.  Apparently a tenant like Mariano's is valuable.  Here is your weekly commercial real estate lesson for the week:
So-called triple-net-leased buildings like the South Loop Mariano's, where tenants are responsible for taxes, operating expenses and maintenance, are coveted assets right now, said Guy Ponticiello, managing director at Jones Lang. They offer buyers a “bond wrapped in a real estate wrapper” and are more predictable than purchasing a vacant retail building, he said.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Zapatista Back in Business According to Their Facebook Page

As you may recall, earlier this week Zapatista ran into some inspection issues.  Well it appears that everything is in order now and they're back open for business (via their Facebook page):
(Hat tip:  TP!)

Friday, February 7, 2014

What Could Have Been "The 12th Street Bridge"

Christopher Holt/Chicago Department of Transportation
Bridges are neat.  Bridges in Chicago are iconic.

A reader recently sent us to a story on the website Forgotten Chicago, that takes a look at what could have been "The 12th Street Bridge":
The bridge shown above might be celebrating its 95th Anniversary at Roosevelt Road (formerly 12th Street) were it not for World War I. The impressive and novel steel construction of this bridge could easily be dismissed by today’s standards, but at the time it offered a potentially fantastic expression and use of this relatively new material. This patented direct-lift design was developed by Joseph B. Strauss (1870-1938), who is best remembered as the Chief Engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Craziness.  Could you imagine this at Roosevelt right now?

A fun read for history/engineer buffs.

(Hat tip: JE!)

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Where People Run in Chicago & Sloop

From flowingdata.com
We like maps (you probably know this by now).

Anyway, we recently stumbled upon a "Where People Run" map on flowindata.com:
There are many exercise apps that allow you to keep track of your running, riding, and other activities. Record speed, time, elevation, and location from your phone, and millions of people do this, me included. However, when we look at activity logs, whether they be our own, from our friends, or from a public timeline, the activities only appear individually.
What about all together? Not only is it fun to see, but it can be useful to the data collectors to plan future workouts or even city planners who make sure citizens have proper bike lanes and running paths.
Here is what the maps showed:
The maps below (click here for other maps) are what I got, mostly for American cities, but there are a few European cities in there too (alphabetical order). If there's one quick (and expected) takeaway, it's that people like to run by the water and in parks, probably to get away from cars and the scenery. In the smaller inland cities, there seem to be a few high-traffic roads with less running elsewhere.

Here is the Chicago map zoomed in on the Sloop.  Not surprisingly the most traffic is along the lake, museum campus, Northerly Island and Grant Park:
From flowingdata.com

Yeah maps!


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

What Does the Sloop Need? Ethiopian Restaurant? Cupcakes?

We've done posts like this in the past, but it's been awhile.  So with that said, a reader writes:
Hello!  
I am a resident of the S. Loop and love your blog - it keeps me informed on all thats happening in our community.  
I have a suggestion - perhaps readers of your blog can suggest what businesses they'd like to see open and where. For example, I would love to see a great Ethiopian restaurant, or even a dedicated cupcake/dessert shop open; given the number of children in the neighborhood, I could really see this second one succeed:) The 13th-14th street block of Michigan has a number of vacant buildings ready to be filled.  
Knowing that their establishments would be supported may incentivize people to open up shop in our community.

So what do you think?  Ethiopian? Cupcakes?  Any other suggestions?

(Hat tip:  MK!)

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Zapatista's (1307 S. Wabash) License Suspended

We received a bunch of emails last night and this morning and it appears that Zapatista's (1307 S. Wabash) business license has been suspended:
Not sure what the deal is, but Zapatista is closed tonight and there is a big sticker slapped on their front door that says they have lost their license.
As we hear more, we will provide updates.

Hopefully this is just a temporary thing.  We like Zapatista!

Updated:  Eater Chicago is saying "a staffer (at Zapatista) says they hope to reopen the location by Friday."

(Hat tip:  AR, BS, BE, ND!)

Monday, February 3, 2014

Exit Realty Opens Office at 1400 S. Michigan

Real estate has been a touchy subject in the Sloop these past couple years, but as far as we can tell things seem to be heading in the right direction.

One positive sign is that real estate agents seem more optimistic about the outlook.  For instance they're stepping up their advertising (example Jeff Stewart @propreties and Related Midwest advertising on Sloopin) and even opening up new offices.

With that said, back in October of 2013 we noticed that Caring Hands Pet Spa was closed and that a new buildout was happening.  We later found out that it was a new office for Exit Realty. 

Well it looks like they're officially open.  

We always liked walking by and taking a look in the window at properties that are available and what they're going for.  Hopefully this is a positive sign for the neighborhood's real estate future.

(Hat tip:  JD!)

Chicago Reader's Joravsky:
Rahm Screwed Up Depaul/McCormick Plan

Chicago Reader's resident government watchdog, Ben Joravsky, recently penned a good read about the change in plans for the Depaul/McCormick/Motor Row projects.  His take - Rahm screwed up:
This is actually Plan B in the mayor's South Loop scheme. In Plan A, unveiled last spring, the mayor said he would buy two chunks of land near the intersection of Cermak and Michigan Avenue—one for the Marriott, and the other for DePaul's basketball arena and a small hotel. 
In this plan, he intends to buy three chunks of land. Why the change? Basically, the mayor kind of screwed up. 
He assumed that snatching South Loop land from its owners would be as easy as, oh, closing a bunch of schools in poor, black west- and south-side neighborhoods. 
But it turned out that the owner of one key parcel—a well-connected construction magnate named James McHugh—wasn't as easy to bowl over as your average west- or south-side parent. 
McHugh sued the city, arguing that it had already given him approval to build a data center on the property it now wanted to use for the Marriott hotel. 
So the city's either going to have to pay McHugh way more money than it originally offered, or leave him alone to build his data center.

We're tired of contemplating what if.  We're in the camp of "we will believe it when we see it".  Something tells us this is another change of many many more to come.

For more background, here is a post on the topic from last week.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Sloopin Doesn't Receive Grant - But Thanks to Everyone for the Support!

Just wanted to quickly close the loop on something you helped us with late last year.  As you may or may not remember, we entered the Chase/Google "Mission Main Street Grant" contest.  Unfortunately, we were not chosen to receive one of the 12 grants.

There were 35,000 businesses that applied, so it was a pretty competitive process.

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the support!

Friendly February Reminder to Claim Your Sloopin Hat Tip T-Shirt

Get em while you can - we're running out of them!  


This is a friendly reminder to claim your Sloopin Hat Tip T-Shirt if you've submitted a story and your initials are listed below:
  • BE
  • OI
  • MJ
  • RGR
  • SH
  • MS
  • PB
  • VB
  • KW
  • AR
  • DK
  • SM
  • BBC
  • JL
  • CD
  • JS
  • JW
  • KC
  • SS
  • KI
  • TE

For more background on the hat tip t-shirt program click here.

As always, thanks for all the great tips!  Keep them coming!

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Shots Around the Sloop: Low Flyer


(Hat tip: BE!)

Chicagoist Weighs in on Mercat A La Planxa's Restaurant Week Menu

Cordero a la planxa: lamb chop with pickled guindilla aioli, and romesco.(Erika Kubick/Chicagoist)
Chicagoist weighs in on Mercat A La Planxa's (638 S. Michigan) restaurant week deal.  Sounds like it was good, but not enough:
A diner's haven on Michigan Avenue, Mercat A La Planxa is explosive but civilized all at once. The first floor of the restaurant space features a waiting area with a bar alongside a swirling staircase leading into a sprawling dining room. A massive, plateau-like open kitchen overlooks the diners, allowing the wait staff to glide around the restaurant in a circle. It's an intelligent design, allowing for quick transportation and a loud, bustling atmosphere. I tend to feel skeptical towards tapas: they're so tiny that you're smart to arrive with a semi-full stomach and aren't there always a couple of blah dishes? Not at Mercat, where nearly every course is fresh and flavorful—and you almost leave full!

They sum it with:
All together the meal was fantastically tasty and I had a lovely evening. Unfortunately, I was still pretty hungry an hour later, which left me wondering if you really save money with the restaurant week deal. If I had not stuck to that menu, I surely would have ordered more food and left satiated. Rather, I felt like all I saved was room for a bag of banana chips from Trader Joe's.While I strongly recommend the restaurant, you might want to go during a different week.
For the dish by dish review click here.

Restaurant week last until February 6th, so you still have time.

We still have never been.  This will change in 2014...this is a Sloopin goal!