Opart Thai House Receives Michellin "Bib Gourmand" Status

When we think Asian for dinner we usually wander to Ma&I, but we might need to check out a new spot based on this recommendation:

On Nov. 17, Michelin will announce the selection for its first-ever MICHELIN Guide Chicago. Today (Wednesday, 11/10), however, Michelin offers a sneak peek at the first collection of what's in store from MICHELIN Guide Chicago 2011 – the Bib Gourmand selection. The Bib Gourmand designation denotes good cuisine at a reasonable price in a variety of comfort categories. Defined as "Inspectors' Favorites for Good Value," Bib Gourmand restaurants offer two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included), and are often of most value to a city's residents, who regularly dine in neighborhood restaurants.

Among the 46 restaurants around the city that received the 'Bib Gourmand' status, only one was in the South Loop, Opart Thai House (1906 S. State). Personally we've never been, but will be going there soon to see if we agree.

Anyway, we will wait until next week to see if any of our 'less reasonably' priced dining establishments made the list. Does anyone have any guesses as to which Sloopin restaurants could crack the list?

(Images from Michelin Guides Facebook Page)

What's in that At&T Building on Congress?

On the South side of Congress sits a large windowless AT&T building, a reader ponders:

I go by the AT&T building on Federal between Harrison and Congress almost daily. What is so secret that goes on there that the building doesn’t have a single window?

We don't think it's a big secret, but we do think the building doesn't require windows. We didn't find anything about this specific building, but a large, similar windowless building sits in downtown New York. Here is a blurb about it that we found on the interwebs:

The AT&T Long Lines Building (Church street in SoHo) is a truly unique building, not because it's the tallest, the largest, or the most technically advanced. In fact, it's not even habitable, as it doesn't house apartments or offices. The 167.5 meter tall skyscraper was built to house telephone switching equipment and was completed in 1974.

Thus we assume this houses switching information for their Chicago network. Are we sure, no...but that's our best guess. Anyone else have thoughts or know for sure?

(Hat Tip: JM!)

(Image from Google Maps)

A Printers Row Helicopter Lift

A reader writes and takes some great pics:

Thought I'd let you know that the helicopter lift scheduled for yesterday morning was partially successful. They succeeded in getting two new units to the top of Printer's Square and three old units down from the roof. But there are two more units that they wanted to lift but turned out to be too heavy. And I'm sure there's more on the roof that needs to come down.

So, they'll be back. I took some pictures.

For more pics check out his flickr feed and for more background check out his blog.

UPDATE: More pics from another reader:

(Hat tip: SW & TR!)

Kingoberry Opening in Printers Row; Another Mainstay Hospitality Spot too?

Some recent comments about the new Ole' Hardwood restaurant prompted us to the Metromix "Countdown" section, which highlights news spots potentially opening around the city and this case the Sloop.

We were excited to see a new Frozen Yogurt spot, called Kingoberry (555 S. Dearborn) coming to the Printer's Row area. They will be opening on Dearborn and according to metromix will be sharing space with Pocket's. Although we're not 100% sure what it will be like, from reading its menu the concept sounds a lot like Starfruit and Berry Chill. Hopefully this is the case because those places are quite tasty!

Also of interest is a vague nod to a new potential restaurant/bar opening in 2011:

Unnamed Mainstay Hospitality Project 2011
South Loop
Mainstay owner Matthew O'Malley and Chicago Firehouse chef Kendal Duque
plan to team up again for a new project. The only certain thing at this point?
It'll be in the South Loop.

We've read some comments on Sloopin bashing Grace O'Malley's, but we're definitely supporters of the Mainstay Hospitality spots in the Sloop (see old post here for more context). Grace O'Malley's might not be our favorite, but it's a solid place. Regardless, it's good to see that they're having success in the South Loop and are continuing to invest in the neighborhood.

Where, what or when this might happen is a bigger question. Anyone have any insight?

We heard a rumor that the space that was being built out for the stalled Pita Corner restaurant (next to the closed WineStyles on 1200 block of South Michigan) was being shopped around to various proprietors in the area. We also heard that a deal to create a restaurant and/or bar joining those two places together was almost done. Could this be the Mainstay Hospitality project? Hopefully!

5 Cent Chicken Promotion at Gourmet Chicken

We recently posted about Gourmet Chicken and Chef Luciano's recent rennovations and in honor of this, they're running an interesting promotion in November. As you may recall or have read about on Sloopin (or the Chef's site), in the 1920s the building on the Southeast corner of Wabash and Cermak was the first White Castle in Chicago.

Ever since then the building evolved and didn't really resemble the photo above (however there is a 'modern day' White Castle kiddy-corner). As part of their rennovations, the crew at Gourmet Chicken and Chef Luciano, restored the building to its original glory:

In honor of the restoration and as a nod back to the good ol' days when things cost 5 cents, Gourmet Chicken will be selling some of its famous roasted chicken for 5 cents on Sundays during November. Restaurant owner Rocky Gupta explains:

"White Castle used to sell their famous burgers for 5 cents in this building back in 1929, so as we celebrate our Grand Reopening, we wanted to commemorate the building's history and give something back to our loyal customers."

Five-cent roast chicken will be available, subject to availability, during each Sunday in November. Customers are limited to one order each, which includes 2 pieces of chicken (a leg and a thigh) with a side of rice for only 5 cents. Gourmet Chicken is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A great excuse to head to Gourmet Chicken and check out some chicken. See you there tomorrow!

Quinn Wins...and then goes to Manny's

We've posted about Manny's being a popular stop for politicians and that holds true for the most recent round of elections:

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn today said he feels "elated" about his more than 19,500-vote lead, but did not call on Republican challenger Bill Brady to concede defeat.

"Who wouldn't be (elated)?" Quinn said while getting lunch at Manny's, a traditional photo op hangout for politicians. "I got elected governor of Illinois by the people of Illinois in a come-back campaign."

Damn I wish I was eating a Corned Beef on rye right now...

(Hat Tip: ND!)

Segways Falls into Lake Michigan

If you read Sloopin, you probably know we laugh every time we see a Segway in the Sloop, so imagine when we stumbled across this story in the Chicago Tribune (from Saturday, October 30th):

A Segway rider fell into Lake Michigan near the Field Museum this afternoon, but
was able to get out of the water on his own.

This has to be the best South Loop Segway story ever...and the picture makes it even better. Pure hilarity!

(Image from Chicago Tribune)

A Sloopin Deal! Buy a T-shirt get a $25 Dominick's Gift Card

If you didn't read our post this past Sunday about Dominick's you probably didn't read about the great deal we're offering. If you buy a Sloopin t-shirt on eBay for $21.90 (includes shipping), we will include a $25 Dominick's gift card for free.

A value of $46.90 for $21.90...what a steal!

We sold one t-shirt on Monday, so have 3 gift cards left! Act Quickly!

Indigo Digital Printing Comes to 9th Street

There were some recent comments about a business opening up on 9th street between State and Wabash. After some tips, sleuthing and simply walking by the space it appears that an independent printing store called Indigo Digital Printing (900 S. Wabash) is opening.

Although people always want sexier retail, we're glad to see more businesses coming to the Sloop. So welcome to them and best of luck!

Shots Around the Sloop: Sloopin Stoop

(Hat Tip: LH!)

Fioretti Has Cancer; Will Not Run For Mayor

In an announcement today, 2nd ward Alderman Robert Fioretti said he will no longer be seeking the position of Mayor in Chicago, but will still seek re-election to his current job. Unfortunately, he also announced that he has cancer.

The Chicago Tribune has more on the story, but here is a quick blurb:

Ald. Robert Fioretti, 2nd, said today he has cancer and will not run for mayor of Chicago, but will be running for re-election in his ward.

Fioretti said doctors told him he has cancer in his tonsils and he will undergo seven weeks of radiation and three sessions of chemotherapy, beginning a few days before Thanksgiving.

"It's tough words to hear. Nobody wants to hear that you are a member of a club nobody wants to be a member of," Fioretti said.

Best of luck to Bob!

(Hat Tip: ND!)

Monkey Bar Gym Coming to the Neighborhood

We got some tips that a new gym is coming to the area called Monkey Bar Gym. Yes, it sounds like it would be for kids, but from what we've read that's not the case:

Monkey Bar Gym was created by Jon Hinds in 2000 and was the beginning of a fitness revolution. MBGs are the only gyms in the nation to integrate full-body skills training for strength, speed and stamina; Eischens Yoga for restoration and healing; and a plant-based diet for the health of people and our planet. Full-body skills training, Eischens Yoga, and Plant-based Nutrition is the MBG3.

The space is currently being built out just south of Cermak at 2255 S. Michigan. A reader emailed us letting us know that they're planning on opening on December 1st. Here are some pictures of the space from their website:

Glad to see more stuff moving in down there. Although it's not the Sloop by our definition it's still an area with a ton of potential. Anyway, if you're intrigued it sounds like they're going to have free classes during the opening weeks. Check out their website for more info.

(Hat Tip: SoloMotorRow!)

Time to Vote!

Hopefully this isn't your first reminder to vote today, but if so click here to find your polling place.

Comments Suggest Fioretti Scrapping Mayoral Run

If this article in the Chicago Sun-Times is true, it sounds like our second ward alderman, Bob Fioretti, could be scrapping his mayoral aspirations and running for re-election of his current job:

Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd) is reconsidering his plans to run for mayor because of what sources close to him are describing as a "health concern," the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

Fioretti will announce his intentions for the Feb. 22 municipal general election "no later than Wednesday," when the full City Council meets after Tuesday's statewide election, a source close to the alderman said.

"He will be seeking elected office," the source said of Fioretti - an indication that if Fioretti doesn't continue his campaign for mayor, he will seek re-election to his aldermanic seat. Under city election law, Fioretti cannot run for both offices.

To be honest, this doesn't come as a surprise to us. In our opinion, it's unlikely that Fioretti could actually become Mayor. Was his campaign a opportunity to get his name in the newspaper? potentially, but regardless you can't fault a guy for having higher aspirations. Maybe he's planting a seed for a future run. Who knows...

Regardless, he's done a pretty good job in our opinion and we would be happy to see him try to defend his current 2nd ward Alderman spot. We will see.