Shots Around the Sloop: Happy Halloween!

Some creative soda stacking at Jewel:

Custom House to Close After Service Tonight

Custom House (500 S. Dearborn) is closing its doors after seven years (photo via Eater Chicago)

Apparently it's out with the old lately in the Sloop.

Yesterday, we read a blog post on Eater Chicago about one of the nicer restaurants in the Sloop closing:

Well here's a shocker: Custom House Tavern will close after service on Oct. 31. The news broke on 312 Dining Diva Monday night, but no explanation was given.

Eater finally did get an update from owner, Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky:

She explained that this was something they've been considering for a while since the neighborhood is changing and more students have been moving in. "The hotel wants a sports bar and I don't want to do a sports bar," she said with a laugh. "They don't want a three-star restaurant anymore. I don't want to get into that game with them." Kim-Drohomyrecky said they love Custom House and that the concept may re-emerge in the future. "We may tuck this one away and see if there's an opportunity to do it someplace else. I think our new places are phenomenal and we're going to focus on those. We'll see what happens in a year or so."

So the neighborhood is changing?  Ok, but it seems like there is still a place for a restaurant like Custom House (especially given it's proximity to the Loop).  Seems like an excuse if you ask us.

We imagine that something will replace Custom House in relatively short order.

We've had some solid meals at Custom House, but in reality we aren't going to miss it much.  Every time we've been service has been very spotty and inconsistent.

Anyway, the bigger question we have is what do you think about the assertion that the neighborhood is changing?  And that the hotel wants a sports bar?  Is that what the Sloop wants?  More sports bars (didn't Gino's East just open across the street with the sports bar concept)?

(Hat tip: EW!)

Toppers Pizza to Open on November 7th

Well that was fast.

While some other restaurants and businesses take months if not years to open, Toppers Pizza (2 East Eighth Street) plans to open on November 7th according to a sign in their window.

We recently walked past the store and snapped a quick photo as well.  Looks pretty straight forward.

Looking forward to trying some of those Topperstix!

It's Almost November 1st -- What's Up With Roosevelt Collection Retail?

It's almost November and while much of the world is focused on the upcoming election, we have another early November date that we've been keenly waiting for.  In February the new owner of the development, Dan McCaffery, had a promising statement:

Construction on the property will begin immediately so that we can stay on track to host a Grand Opening before November 1st of this year. In addition to having construction complete by that time, we plan to have 75% of our retail stores leased and opening as well.

Plaza Playground at Roosevelt Collection (photo: YoChicago)

There has been a lot of progress at Roosevelt Collection.  The plaza in the middle is completely redone and as far as we can tell looks pretty damn good.  We've also spoken to some residents at Roosevelt Collection who have been very impressed with how the McCaffery team has conducted business.

So that leads us to the biggest question of all -- the retail.  Is an Apple store coming to this development?  How about Yard House?  Or maybe some of these other quality retailers? Or maybe we won't hear anything?

Joe Zekas, from the blog YoChicago, visited the complex recently and weighs in on the situation:

I visited Roosevelt Collection last Friday, and the plaza appears to be nearly on target for completion by the end of this month. There were no signs, however, of progress toward any retail openings. The Roosevelt Collection blog isn’t listing any on-site retailers, although the McCaffery site does have a brochure naming several tenants.

The November 1st date is looming and a curious bunch of Sloopin shoppers and residents are eager to hear where we might want to spend money.

At a minimum we would at least like to hear if any retailers are confirmed.  We will see what happens...

Anyone have any thoughts or news on Roosevelt Collection?

Shots Around the Sloop: Peaceful Clouds

(Hat tip: EW!)

Lacuna Fitness Officially Opens Tomorrow

Thanks to our message board we learned about Lacuna Fitness, a new gym concept that is coming to 645 S. Clark:

Lacuna Fitness is a 10,000 sf fitness facility on three levels, wherein personal trainers and fitness instructors pay a monthly membership to have access to this unique and full-equipped shared gym space for the purposes of hosting their individual or group classes or training sessions. 

Lacuna Fitness boasts such amenities as: 30-foot ceilings; a 5,000 sf astro-turf covered exercise field, perfect for allowing clients to feel like they are working outside in Chicago's winter months and with large garage doors open to Clark Street in summer months to give the gym its open and airy feel; top-of-the-line equipment throughout facility; luxury trainer's lounge perfect for your consultations, client progress meetings, or a place to relax between sessions; in-house concierge service to supply complimentary water to trainers and your clients as requested, provide towel service and equipment maintenance, and monitor and assist with booking of on-line scheduling system; community kitchen space on the second floor complete with granite countertops, a full-sized refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, and microwave; custom bench seating through-out; and more!

Interesting concept.  It also appears that you can rent out this space for events and what not.  On their website they have some videos of a "color outside the lines movie premiere". 

Welcome to the neighborhood -- we wish you the best!

(Hat tip: Jim in the Sloop and Joanna!)

Square One Adds Delicious Hot Plates to Their Menu

Last week we were invited to come to Square One (1400 S. Michigan Ave.) to check out their new "hot plate" menu.  If you're up-to-date with the dinning/drinking scene in the Sloop you would know that when Square One opened they originally stated they would "evolve with the neighborhood".

Originally, the food menu primarily consisted of cheese plates, meats, salads and light sandwiches.  Apparently it's time to evolve to food that is hot -- which sounded like a good reason to check the place out again.  While the hot plate menu isn't huge, it offers a nice variety:

Mac and Cheese - $6
Roasted Tri Color Potatoes - $6
Grilled Fish Tacos - $7
Cheese & Vegetable Croquettes - $6
Lemon Shrimp Kabob and Spanish Rice - $9
Albondigas - $8
Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Pepper Vodka Tomato Sauce - $9
Warm Goat Cheese Spread in Marinara Sauce - $6
Roasted Pork Shoulder Sliders - $7
Roast Beef Sliders - $7

Given our love of cheese and all things tacos, we opted for the Mac and Cheese, Grilled Fish Tacos, and Warm Goat Cheese Spread in Marinara Sauce:

First off, they clearly do a good job with presentation.  When the plates came out our mouths were watering.  The two cheese plates were piping hot and ready to be devoured.  It took some serious restraint to get a picture before digging in.

The Mac and Cheese was super rich and very flavorful.  While the portion size was average, it definitely needed to be shared, because one person couldn't finish it.  

The fish tacos on the other hand were delicious, but rather small.  Two bites for us and they were gone.

The Goat Cheese and Marinara was probably the highlight of the group and definitely something that would be good and easy to share with a larger group.

While all the food was quite enjoyable, this was clearly not a substitute for dinner...and as far as we can tell that's not the objective of Square One.  If you're looking for a full meal, this isn't the place for you.

If you're looking for some interesting cocktails/wines, coupled with a cool, laid-back vibe (love the high ceilings) with the option of some delicious nibbles  this is the place for you.  

Seems like a perfect place to meet-up with a friend, go on a date, or spend sometime pre or post dinner.

We will be back.

Event: Toni Preckwinkle & "The Future of the South Loop"

If you're looking for something to do tomorrow night (10/25) or are interested in the future of our fair neighborhood, this seems like an interesting event that the Prairie District Neighborhood Association is putting on:

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to Speak at PDNA Open Community Meeting
"A Look at the Future of the South Loop"
Thursday, October 25th, 6:30pm 

PDNA Meeting and Hyatt Tasting Event Date: Thursday, October 25, 2012
PDNA Meeting Registration: 6:00pm to 6:30pm
PDNA Meeting Time: 6:30pm
PDNA Meeting: Free and Open
PDNA Meeting Location: Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, in Conference Center, room CC12

PDNA Meeting Agenda: A Look at the Future of the South Loop. Come to the PDNA meeting to learn about the $65 million in Tax Increment Financing dollars Mayor Rahm Emanuel committed to fund a wide range of infrastructure projects and developments throughout the South Loop and Near South Side.

• PDNA: Organization Update 
• Motor Row Improvements 
• Streetscape Improvements 
• Development Update 
• Education Update 
• Park Improvements 
• CTA Improvements 

Special Guests: 

• Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle 
• Alderman Pat Dowell 
• Alderman Will Burns 
• Alderman Bob Fioretti 
• NTA Principal Issac Castelaz

While most of these items have probably been discussed in some form on Sloopin, it's always good to hear it straight from the horses mouth.

For Rent Signs Mean Alain's Apparently Will Not Re-open

It's been an interesting three months for Alain's (1355 S. Michigan), the high-end restaurant lead by chef Alain Njike and partially owned by Bears D-lineman Israel Indonje.  After many months of build-outs and preparation, the restaurant finally opened on Friday, August 3rd.  At the time we and others were excited about the plethora of new eating and drinking establishments at the intersection of 14th and Michigan.

On an ominous Monday in September (9/24), the infamous eviction signs showed up on the front door.  Was it a misunderstanding with the landlord?  Was it a short-term problem?  Or was it a sign of bigger problems?  There were clearly more questions then answers.

However Chicago Magazine posted that the restaurant would re-open on Monday, October 1st.

Well that didn't happen.

And now what appears to be the nail in the coffin..."for rent" signs on the window (see picture above).

It's unfortunate.  We never like to see businesses fail in the neighborhood, but such is life.

So what can we take away from this?  At least the space is now built out for a restaurant.  Stay tuned...we imagine that we will be eating something there at some point soon.

Shots Around the Sloop: Burt Reynolds Convention or a Bears Game?

Judging by the amount of limos on Indiana Avenue on Monday night, we weren't sure if it was a Burt Reynolds Convention or a Bears game:

We're pretty sure it was a Bears Game...and an excellent one:

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Happy Gilmore reference.

Additional Hotel Plans Surface for Development Near McCormick Place

Image from Crain's Chicago

A massive hotel development (among other things) near McCormick Place has just reared it's ugly head again according to the Chicago Tribune and Crain's (behind paywall).  This has been covered by us in the past and it continues to drag on...sigh:

The prospect of private hotel development north of McCormick Place, delayed for several years, resurfaced Friday in federal bankruptcy court. 

Olde Prairie Block Owner LLC, led by developers Pam Gleichman, Karl Norberg and Gunnar Falk, indicated it has struck deals with three buyers for a 3.67-acre parcel at 330 E. Cermak Rd. The buyers have plans for a convention hotel, a smaller boutique hotel and a data center, the filings indicate.

We're not sure what to make of this, but if it could ever get going it would probably help the area quite a bit. 

We will see what the judge thinks...

Anyone have thoughts on this.  We don't claim to be real estate legal experts so would be curious to hear some thoughts on the subject.

(Hat tip: TB!)

Suggest Sloop Locations for Chicago's Bike Share Program

Some of you might have put your bike away for the season, but that doesn't mean we can't think about biking around the lovely streets of Chicago.  A reader sent us this interesting email about suggesting locations for the new Chicago Bike Share program:

I saw a story about this in today’s Sun Times. Sloopers should weigh in on where they might want rental bikes in the South Loop. Looking at the map, we could use more votes and locations in our neighborhood. 

From the website (http://share.chicagobikes.org/):

“Bike share will be a new way to get around Chicago. It is an affordable, self-service personal transit system that allows bikes to be picked up from one location and ridden to any other location in the system. Commuters, residents, and tourists don’t need to own a bike to make bicycling a part of their trip! 

Already successful in cities around the world, bike share in Chicago will make it easier for everyone to get around. 

Please tell us where you’d like to see bike share station located, and why you'd use it. Find a good location on the map, then click "Add location", and tell us why it's a good location. Click "Submit location" when you're done. You can also find existing suggestions and click to your support.”

We are huge supporters of this and if we want the Sloop to be represented well in any new biking program...get on the website, recommend locations and click support!

(Hat tip: SD!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Bears Game Towing

Let this be a warning - they like to tow cars during Bears games...

(Hat tip:  SW!)

This Week on the Sloopin Message Board (w/o 10/15)...

Booms, a place for kids to play, potential new businesses, Halloween  MTV shows were discussed this week on the Sloopin message board:

• Possible source of "booms" by JeffWagg
• Sprout Playrom- Now Sod Room- Still Not Open by VG
• Rook cafe and hopscotch? by TS
• Underemployed premiered tonight... by s0nginmyheart
• SLoop Kids Halloween events? by Stateand14th
• LACUNY opening tonight on Clark by Jim in the Sloop