Get in My Belly: Pitabelly Coming to 600 Block of South Wabash

We love some Mediterranean food (see post on Pita Heaven), so were excited to see a new option coming to the South Loop called PitaBelly. The store will be on the 600 block of South Wabash between Harrison and Balbo (on the West side of the street where Subway, Dunkin Donuts, and Tamarind are).

As you can see by the picture above, the signage is already up. We couldn't find much online in regard to web stuff (except for their twitter handle @thepitabelly). Anyway, we will keep our eyes open for this launch.

In honor of Pitabelly we couldn't help but think of the disgustingly charming Fat Bastard from Austin Powers:

Rahm Helps Acadia with Government Bureaucracy

Time Out Chicago recently posted a list of eateries that Rahm Emannual has been spotted dining at, complete with commentary from restaurant owners. It looks like the mayor enjoys everything from fried chicken smothered in gravy to fish specials and salad. And apparently, he's lent a helping hand to Acadia, Sloop's new and much talked about restaurant:

Acadia
Emanuel showed up at the doorstep of Ryan McCaskey’s new South Loop spot before it opened. “He wanted to weed out some of the red tape in City Hall for people to build small businesses,” the chef-owner recalls. “My restaurant is on city park space, so he asked what the biggest issue was and we said dealing with the city—not only with getting permits but also finding out what’s going on with the developing park that’s next to us. We wanted two things: a little buffer between the restaurant and where the people would be, because the park is supposed to be part dog park. The other thing is we wanted a patio of about 14 seats out there. Four days later, I had a meeting with all the head people at the park district. The design is approved, and as far as I know he pushed that through for me."

Have you spotted Rahmbo chowing down or anywhere in the Sloop? Where and when?

We've heard about him at Manny's (but every politician goes there). Anywhere else?

(Image from: Time Out Chicago!)

The Foundry | Printers Row CrossFit Coming to 730 S. Clark

For those of you who like to get your work out on, you're probably happy to hear that a new gym is coming to Printers Row. A reader sent us a link to a Facebook page for to The Foundry | Printers Row CrossFit. The actual website isn't up and running yet, but the Facebook page states:

Our mission is to forge healthy bodies, empower people to achieve sustainable well-being, and promote maximum enjoyment of life.

Sounds good to us. It also looks like they're already making progress on the build-out of the gym:

(Images from The Foundry | Printers Row CrossFit)

(Hat tip: JK!)

Winter Almost Over? Regardless this Poll is Stupid

Shots Around the Sloop: Colorful Sunrise

(Hat tip: WC!)

No Plans Tonight? Check Out Chicago Art Exchange Tonight

Sorry for the late notice on this one, but if you don't have plans tonight and are looking to stay local, checkout a night of music, booze, tapas and art at the Chicago Art Exchange (1530 S. State). It's a cool place and the event promises to be fun:

This event is designed to stimulate multiple senses in order to heighten awareness and enlighten ones understanding of the intrinsic relationships between Music and Contemporary Art. Singer-songwriter Todd Clemmer, who is a native of Dayton, Ohio and founding member of Take Back Kings, will perform his original songs highlighted by a stunning backdrop of contemporary artwork in Chicago Art Exchangeʼs current gallery exhibition.

$20 suggested donation
Wines provided by Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
Reservations Available 312.808.1958

For the entire pdf flier click here.

Enjoy!

New Docents wanted for Clarke House and Glessner Museums

The Clarke House Museum (1827 S. Indiana Ave.) and Glessner Museum (1800 S. Prairie Ave.) are looking for new Docents for the upcoming 2012 tour season. Training is free and begins Saturday, March 10. There are five consecutive Saturday training sessions in total, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each week.

Becky Young LaBarre, Assistant Curator of Clarke House Museum wrote more about the program:

“To prepare volunteers to give tours, the museums offer an individualized docent training program that covers architecture, decorative arts and social history as they relate to each house. Docents must commit to 48 hours of volunteering during their first year, which usually works out to 4 hours a month. Docents lead tours on afternoons Wednesdays through Sundays, although some mornings are available.”

Benefits of the position include invitations and discounts to museum events, 25 percent off merchandise in the respective museum gift shops, annual recognition and opportunities of continued education.

(Image: JH)

Rumors Around the Sloop: Square One Progressing

A new tavern called Square One (Southwest corner of 14th and Michigan) was an old rumor that was confirmed late last year thanks to a reader and we know it's a topic many readers are curious about, so we were glad when a reader sent us this sneak pic of the build-out:

This is a shot from the back of the bar (the windows in the middle of the picture are the ones facing Michigan Avenue). Anyway, it looks like things are progressing well and hopefully they can still hit their opening goal of Spring.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the Alain's (1355 S. Michigan), the restaurant that was supposed to go in kitty corner from this spot. Last time we heard anything on the topic was in an article by the Tribune stating that they were shooting to open by end of January. Maybe they meant January 2013?

Anyone have an update on Alain's?

(Hat tip: MD!)

Greek American Foundation Hosts Masquerade Ball at Blackstone in the Sloop

On Saturday, February 25, 2012, the Greek American Foundation is hosting it’s first ever Venetian blue masquerade ball at the Blackstone Renaissance Hotel to raise funds for the Hellenic Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund. The festivities include music by DJ John Grammatis and live performances by Paul Psarras and Margarita. This Greek ball would not be complete without the opportunity to win prizes at a carnival casino, as well as enjoy an open bar and hors d'oeuvres from 8pm-1:00am.

For this event, your finest Venetian attire, black tie, and masks are requested. There will be a grand prize of $1,000 for the best mask, so don’t hold back and go for the gold! All event proceeds go to the Hellenic Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund.

General Admission/Open Seating - $250.00
Open bar and hors d'oeuvres all night
Complimentary casino chip

VIP Lounge Seating/Seating for 10 - $5000.00
Open bar and hors d'oeuvres all night
Complimentary casino chips for everyone at your table
Reduced valet parking available at the Blackstone for guests of the Blue Masque Ball

For more information - click here.

Rumors Around the Sloop: Marble Slab Closes Up Shop

Back in October of 2011, we heard some rumors about Marble Slab Ice Creamery closing their doors. At the time we were unsure about the validity of this rumor, but as many suspected it appears to be true.

Upon a recent stroll down Michigan Avenue, we noticed the lights on at Marble Slab, but signs down and the place pretty much torn apart:

It's unfortunate to see. One of our Sloopin contributors has a theory about the "East side of the Street" being less than ideal because the lack of foot traffic over there. Obviously we don't have any quantitative data to back this up, but it definitely seems a little lighter over there.

Anyone have any thoughts on Marble Slab closing? or the East side of the street being less conducive to business?

(Hat tip: ND!)

Buddy Guy Gets Obama to Sing Sweet Home Chicago Chorus

We've said it a hundred times, but the Sloop is lucky to have Buddy Guy call the neighborhood home to his blue's club, Buddy Guy's Legends (700 S. Wabash). Anyway, just thought we would post a video of Mr. Guy "encouraging" President Obama to sing an ode to his "hometown":


While it ain't easy being the pres, it must be nice to have Buddy, Mick Jagger, BB King, Derek Trucks, among others play your house for a concert.

We also want to note that a young 28 year-old, up and coming blues artist by the name of Gary Clark Jr. also got to share the stage with the other much more accomplished performers (see man to the right of Jagger, with red guitar and hat on). We saw Gary at last year's DMB Caravan and other Chicago music lovers probably took notice of him at Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads festival at Toyota Park in Bridgeview - we suggest you do too:

We like Buddy Guy, Obama singing Sweet Home Chicago and Gary Clark Jr.'s talent!

Rumors Around the Sloop: Multi-Purpose Building on Jewel Land?

Please take this one with a grain of salt, but we recently heard a very juicy rumor about the land where Starbucks and Jewel-Osco sits (Southwest corner of Wabash and Roosevelt). A source tells us that there have been preliminary talks about turning this lot into a multi-purpose high-rise similar to what you see across the street where the Walgreens at State and Roosevelt sits.

While we haven't seen anything formal in the press, we heard that the building would have residential, office space and that the street level floors would be retail (including Jewel and presumably Starbucks).

We haven't heard anything in regard to timing or feasbility and in reality feel that this might have a 5% chance of being true. Regardless, it's interesting and something we assume most resident would appreciate.

We often hear complaints about how parking lots disrupt the "urban" feel of the city and this current lot is the poster child for that complaint. We doubt that they would scrap parking if this happened, it most likely would just be tucked behind the building (like Target on Roosevelt).

What do you think? Good? Bad? Not going to happen?

(Image from Google Maps)

Rumors Around the Sloop: George and Angela Mitchell Building

Well it's been awhile since we've had our infamous "Rumors Around the Sloop" posts and we've had an uptick in emails, observations and discussions about random things in the neighborhood. As a result, expect some posts this week about rumors in the South Loop.

Today, we're going to start with a partial validation of a recent rumor we heard of back in December revolving around the building at 1150 S. Wabash (just North of Bongo Room). Back then we heard that the owners of Artists Cafe (412 S. Michigan) were behind the renovations at this building. While this was simply a rumor in December it appears to be true based on some of the renovations on the exterior of the building:

It's might be hard to see in the picture above, but carved into the stone says, "George and Angela Mitchell Building". So it appears that they have something to do with the renovations. However, what is still the big question? Will this be a dinner similar to the Artists Cafe? Or will it be something else?

Anyone heard anything about this?

(Hat tip: Anon!)

Critics Love Acadia, but Hate on the Sloop

We loved Acadia when we had our maiden voyage to the upscale eatery at 1639 S. Wabash and according to a post on Curbed Chicago, other culinary critics from around the city are also having similar feelings:

Mike Sula (Chicago Reader) thinks Acadia gets it right in the unlikeliest of neighborhoods. Garnishes “support and synergize” a la carte dishes such as a foie gras torchon rolled in malt crumbles from which “radiate” arrangements of jellied hot-toddy cubes and smudges of curried apple butter. Chicken presse is “highly refined, but unironic and satisfying,” and fat shrimp “summon the nostalgia” of Spain. For drinks, a “depthless and enduring” rum and kola smash will ease you through the courses. Despite the lack of competition in the area, Sula thinks the restaurant “ought to do well just about anywhere.”

The Curbed Chicago post also has links to the Chicago Tribune write-up by Phil Vettel and Julia Kramer's piece in Time Out Chicago. While all seem to have positive things to say about the neighborhood, all seem to get jabs in at the neighborhood's expense.

While they're entitled to their opinion, it seems like a common view form outsiders. What evs! Haters gonna hate.

(Image from Time Out Chicago)