—Large and in charge: Avli Winnetka, the original location of founding partner Louie Alexakis’ modern Greek restaurant group, is undergoing a significant expansion and revamp in downtown Winnetka. The new Avli will debut in December.
The project will extend the restaurant to occupy 50% of The Laundry building, adding approximately 2,400 square feet—1,600 square feet dedicated to a new bar and lounge and 800 square feet to a front dining room. The remodel introduces the North Shore’s first vinyl-inspired bar and lounge, along with a complete concept and culinary overhaul led by Executive Chef Jorge Angulo, formerly of Vela (Celeste Group).
Cold mezes designed for sharing will include a meze platter along with traditional favorites like tzatziki with charred cucumber and taramosalata with chilled rock shrimp poached in clarified butter. Some of the hot mezes will include dishes like marrow with white anchovies; gamopílafo, a rendition of the famous Cretan wedding rice with roasted lamb and lemon broth; and dorade with skordolado (a bright garlic herb sauce) and shaved fennel salad.
—Setting a new bar: MICHELIN-recognized TenGoku Aburiya—known for its sushi, noodles, grilled skewers and Bento & Co. collaborations with the city’s top chefs—is debuting a new bar with expanded room for its izakaya-style cocktails, from soju libations to classic Japanese whiskey highballs.
To celebrate, the restaurant is rolling out a week of deals on Dec. 2-4. During dinner hours, the restaurant will offer $5 hand rolls including sake avocado, crunchy and spicy octopus, and negi hamachi. There will also be $7 cocktails like the Lychee Please, with gin, lychee and yuzu; or the Haru Spritz, with persimmon apologue liqueur and sparkling wine.
—Setting a new bar, part two: After months of planning and renovations, Wicker Park spot Estelle’s is hosting a grand reopening event on Friday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m., with its popular half-price happy hour at 4-7 p.m..
Estelle’s has been a neighborhood bar and late-night haunt since 1999. Led by Barker/Nester Architecture + Design and general contractor Aberdeen Construction, the remodel unveils a moody yet inviting new look, featuring black leather banquettes, warm tones, and a dark modern aesthetic. New drinks include the Weekend at Bernie’s, with Buchanan’s Pineapple Scotch, Giffard Coconut and lime juice; the Spritzy Spritz, with Giffard Apricot, Bitter Truth Pimento Dram and lemon juice, topped with sparkling wine and soda; and the Gobblin’ Mode, with Ketel One Cucumber and Mint Botanical, Midori, simple syrup and lime juice.
—In celebration of NAHA’s 25th anniversary, esteemed restaurant Brindille is turning back the clock with a nostalgic culinary tribute: “Let’s Eat Like It’s 1999!”
Through the end of the year, guests can enjoy the return of NAHA’s bar menu featuring favorites like mezze, chicken wings, NAHA petite burgers, spicy ahi tuna and fried chicken salad. Available at the bar or in the dining room, this limited-time offering invites guests to relive the dishes that helped define one of Chicago’s most celebrated restaurants.
—Table manners: On Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m., there will be “Many Lights, One Table”—a collaboration dinner involving The Evolved Network’s Chef Sebastian White and James Beard Award–winning Chef Zach Engel (Galit) at Cafe Yaya, 2431 N. Lincoln Ave.
The event will be a four-course, family-style dinner with wine pairings that aims to celebrate connection, generosity and the season. Tickets start at $180/each; purchase them here.
And I quote: “Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.”—C.S. Lewis
—GIVEAWAY!: Congrats go to Michael C. for winning the Keith Haring canvas reusable grocery tote giveaway!
And here’s the next giveaway—this time, for another box set of the Chicago-set show Shameless!
All you have to do to qualify is to be a paying subscriber (for less than $5/month) to either SAVOR for Andrew (future3733.substack.com) or Pop-Eds (Andrew449.substack.com). The deadline is Friday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. Good luck!
The write stuff: Be sure to read and subscribe to my other Substack—Pop-Eds: My thoughts on pop culture. (Like SAVOR, it’s less than $5/month to access everything.) Columns have discussed Labubu, cheating, R&B music, Meghan Markle, vampire facials and 10 Things I Hate Among You, among many other topics.
Until next time…