PeaPod Driver Arrested on Sexual Assault Charge in the Sloop

A reader writes:

Hello Sloopin'

I have been a user of PeaPod for the last two years, and was just notified that our deliver has been arrested on sexual assault charges. I am hoping that you can update you site making those who use this service aware of the dangers and that they should not let these people into their homes no matter how trustworthy they seem. Guillermo Balingit, I thought, was a very trust worthy individual that my wife would let into our south loop condo to set the groceries in the kitchen.

Thanks,
TK

Although this is old news, we wanted to post as a reminder to be careful. For more background here is a link to an article on ABC7.

(Hat tip: TK!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Infringement

(Hat tip: CA & EC!)

Jimmy Green's Expanding into Retail Space to the North

Looks like Jimmy Green's is expanding according to their facebook page:

Big news! Can't keep the secret anymore particularly when the 12 ft tall window next door spills the beans...Jimmy Green's is HEADING NORTH!!! (Well expanding one storefront to the north that is.) Construction starts this month so soon there'll be more Jimmy to love. More screens. More window seats. Delivery. A private dining and party den. Games and more. Thanks to our friends for making our first 18 months so wonderful that we simply gotta grow!

A good sign and hopefully they fare better than the previous restaurants that have been in that spot (which shouldn't be a problem since they have some established success already).

We're huge fans of bar games, so are happy to hear that they might have some of those as well now.

Congrats to Jimmy Green's and look forward to heading to the new space soon!

(Hat Tip: JM!)

Another Shout-out for Acadia in Chicago Magazine

A quick shout-out in Chicago Magazine for Acadia:

COMING: Acadia

“I’m pretty old,” muses Ryan McCaskey, who’s only 37. But the seasoned chef (Rushmore, Tizi Melloul, Courtright’s) takes cues from his past at the 60-seat Acadia, a contemporary American eatery nostalgically named for the coastal Maine region where McCaskey summered as a kid. The classic menu will also source seafood from McCaskey’s fisherman pals in that area. “We will have all the amenities of high-end restaurants, but also fun bar food that is approachable and geared toward the neighborhood,” McCaskey says. Sounds quite hip, old-timer. 1639 S. Wabash Ave.

South Loop Resident Seeks Dish & Drink Advice

We had a recent post about the best delivery in the Sloop and another reader asked for some more advice:

Hey Sloopy,

I love sloopin and have been checking in regularly since I moved to the sloop two years ago. As a south loop resident and investor, I am very curious what people think of our local restaurants and bars. I would like to see a post about what people think of specific restaurants and bars in the sloop.

With new places opening this year such as Pita Heaven, The Scout, Waffles, Burger Point along with our existing places, the sloop definitely feels like its finally coming together. Some reviews and tips about dishes and drink specials would be helpful for us all.

Thanks!

(Hat tip: CJ!)

East-West University's New Dorm Breaks Ground at 819 S. Wabash

Back in October we posted about East-West University's proposed 17-story dorm that would be built at 819 S. Wabash. For the skeptics, it sounds like your disbelief wasn't well founded as they have officially broken ground according to Gazette Chicago:

The blend of businesses and university cultures that is so much a part of the South Loop will grow richer soon, thanks to a new ingredient.

East-West University held a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 10 for its new Student Life Center, a 17-story building to be constructed immediately south of the university’s 819 S. Wabash Ave academic building. The university’s other main campus building occupies 816 S.Michigan Ave.

Elected officials attending the groundbreaking predicted the new building will become an important part of the South Loop’s identity as vibrant center for education. “This is a celebration for the community,” said Ald. Robert Fioretti (2nd Ward). East-West University’s mission “to serve the underserved” student populations “will only be enhanced by a campus offering the services that the Student Life Center will bring.”

Glad to see this project moving forward. For reference here is the rendering of what the building should look like when completed:(Image from Gazette Chicago)

"A Warm Welcome Back" for Gioco

It's been a crazy year for Gioco, but based on a recent review on Chicagobusiness.com, the restaurant has rebounded nicely:

Everyone should recover from dust-ups with the tax man as gracefully as 12-year-old Gioco, one of the city's most charming Italian ristorantes, which closed and reopened this year following an unfortunate run-in with the state.

That seems appropriate, given the colorful past of this former gambling house and speakeasy once frequented by Al Capone and famed brothel owners the Everleigh sisters.

On a slow day you might get a tour through the lower level where, our server/history major says, Mr. Capone built tunnels to ferry bootleg liquor out to Lake Michigan and to store the odd body or two.

But even from one of the 150 seats upstairs, the past is present in the worn brick and plaster walls, bordello-like red plush banquettes and fringed lampshades above the bar.

The article continues on by specifically calling out the new executive chef, Gaetano Ascione:

Never have I seen a chef go table to table at lunch with a tray of portobello mushrooms—or anything else—enticing guests to order an off-the-menu special that arrives as meaty and smoky as steak, sautéed simply with olive oil and garlic ($12).

He surprised us again, bringing us samples of the Japanese Kurobuta pork belly, the Kobe beef of the porcine world. The meat is incomparably tender, the five-spice sauce dark and complex (when it's available, the appetizer is $14; main course $28).

This is great to hear. Hope all goes well with Gioco and it continues to flourish.

(Hat tip: ND!)

Something Simmering at Old Ole Hardwood Space?

Don't get excited, but could something be simmering at the old Ole Hardwood space (1315 S. Wabash) be seeing some new activity? A reader writes:

Ran by Ole Hardwood 1315 S. Wabash today and at least they have removed the “we think is arson” signs, painted the plywood window coverings and put new butcher paper up. Anyone know if there is a build out going on? Speculation as to new tenants?

It's funny that we got this email because we noticed the same thing. We even went out of our way to ask the men who were replacing the boarded up windows, "is there something new going in here". The man coyly looked away and said yes. We asked again, but it was clear he didn't speak English well or wasn't going to give us any additional information.

Anyway, not sure if something is going in there or if they were just being pressured to take down the ugly boarded up windows. I guess we will have to wait and see.

For those who don't remember the history, here is a link to an old post we did and the corresponding video:

(hat tip: SP!)

Tribute Closes Its Doors After 5 Months

There have been some whispers (and even an overt blog post on Sloopin) that Tribute (800 S. Michigan) wasn't doing so hot. However, it's still surprising to read an article on chicagobusiness.com saying they're closing:

Perhaps it was never meant to be.

After opening delays and other setbacks once it finally did open just shy of five months ago, Tribute restaurant has closed.

The modern-American restaurant in the South Loop's Essex Inn shut its doors for good on Sunday.

"We have succumbed to the poor economic environment that has not helped our new restaurant to grow roots," owner Phil Fernandez and general manager and partner Simon Lamb said in a statement. "We have tried to weather these crucial beginning months . . . but we have not been able to sustain."

Well...that was fast. If you remember Tribute had some hiccups prior to opening, but when it finally opened in July the neighborhood was pretty pumped. While the reviews were mixed - the space probably proved to be too large for neighborhood and concept.

Anyway, hope something else goes in because the space looks great.

(Hat tip: SN!)

Active Body Chiropractor Moving to 1600 S. Indiana

We've received two separate emails from readers asking about some work being done at 1600 S. Indiana:

Yo Sloopin,

There appears to be some activity in the empty commercial space at 1600 S. Indiana - the space opposite of Happy Cleaners.

They're framing out the space. Any idea what's happening there? Perhaps another veterinarian office.

Cheers,

JB

Sure enough, we went by and saw what JB was speaking about. Unfortunately we don't know what's going on. Does anyone have any ideas?

Update: Since we went by last week, new signs appear to have been placed on the windows. As the comment thread has suggested, Active Body Chiropractor (currently located at 1509 S. State) is moving to this new location.

(Hat tip: JB & TK and to our comment section)

Guy Fieri Chows Down at Panozzo's

Back in March we had a post about Guy Fieri's, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives show featuring Panozzo's and it finally aired on the Food Network recently. In case you missed the episode here it is on Panozzo's youtube page:

Wow that looks amazing! We couldn't be happier for the crew at Panozzo's. They do an amazing job, are nice people and we're so excited that they have chosen to call the Sloop home.

(Hat tip: TJ!)

Shots Around the Sloop: "L" Shape Tetris Building

Taking from a condo looking west from the Transportation Building on Dearborn:

(Hat tip: N&DD and Holiday Party!)

Pet Grooming Shop Coming to 1400 S. Michigan

Michigan Avenue Tower II (@1400 S. Michigan) had a slow start to their retail, but it appears that their third retail space is going to be rented out based on the building permit on the window. The building permit says (in case you can't read it):

Interior renovation for a new pet grooming shop in existing 28 story, I-A building as per plan, not part of the condo association

The pet grooming shop joins Sanctuary and Waffles in the buildings retail space. That leaves only one vacant retail space in the building and it's probably the most high-profile space which is on the corner of 14th and Michigan.

Free Flu Shots for 2nd Ward on Friday

For those in the Sloop who want to stay healthy:

2nd Ward Flu Clinic

Alderman Bob Fioretti is proud to partner with the Chicago Department of Public Health to offer FREE flu shots for residents.

No appointments are necessary; This is a walk-in clinic.

Noon to 3 p.m.
Friday, December 2, 2011
First Immanuel Lutheran Church
1124 S. Ashland Ave.