New on the Scene: August

BYOB noodle shop Urban Belly took Avondale by storm in August.

Urban Belly
Chef Bill Kim and his wife, Yvonne Cadiz-Kim, opened this 40-seat BYOB noodle and dumpling house in Avondale Aug. 19. Kim, better known for his elegant Asian cuisine at Le Lan, says noodles are his first love--he even did a six-day noodle-eating journey through Japan in search of the best. But this is no ramen-only spot. Tantalizing dishes such as somen noodles with mussels, Chinese black beans and coconut broth make the menu too.

Tapas Las Ramblas
This tapas-focused spot named for Barcelona’s popular pedestrian mall opened Aug. 19 in the Andersonville space most recently occupied by Il Fiasco. The owners gave the space a quick makeover and rolled out a menu featuring a mix of traditional and updated tapas, plus other Spanish eats such as paella.

Chaos Theory
Organic-focused pastry chef Michelle Garcia (Bleeding Heart Bakery) opened a new sweet shop Aug. 9 in Lakeview. The perky storefront with graffiti-inspired walls is tricked out in vibrant pinks, greens, yellows and oranges, and the pastry cases are just as colorful. Look for an array of goodies such as cakes, tarts, macaroons, cream puffs and cupcakes, including a selection of vegan treats.

Yats
Joe Vuskovich, the man behind this Big Easy-inspired quick-serve in the Warehouse District, already has four Yats outposts in Indianapolis and a fifth in West Lafayette, Ind. At his latest, look for a changing lineup of eight offerings. Choices might include etouffee, jambalaya, or red beans and rice with smoked sausage. Bonus: Yats is BYOB.

Real Tenochtitlan
Geno Bahena: The man, the myth, the mole. Yes, he's back. The one-time Rick Bayless protege, still most famous for his now-closed Logan Square mole-focused spot Ixcapuzalco, makes yet another comeback with this Logan Square BYOB. The menu is almost identical to Ixcapuzalco's, offering three moles plus a mole of the day.

Sikia
This African-inspired restaurant at the Washburne Culinary Institute facility on the new Kennedy-King College campus (63rd and Halsted Streets) in Englewood showcases the talents of up-and-coming chefs—fourth-semester Washburne students staff the spot as part of their degree requirements. Though the menu favors fare from Africa, the lineup also includes fare from Brazil, Jamaica and New Orleans. Look for live music on weekends and Sunday brunch too.

Duchamp
The trio from Lumen (Jason Freiman, Peter Gogarty and Nick Podesta) and Michael Taus (chef-owner of Zealous) teamed up to open this globally-influenced contemporary American spot in Bucktown's former Meritage space. The menu includes both large and small plates, with prices topping out at $19. Expect Asian-influenced choices and spins on American staples. Read our First Look here.

Check out the city's most recent openings here.

Got a tip on a new or soon-to-open restaurant? E-mail us: kpratt@tribune.com