Ever feel like you need a GPS just to leave the house for dinner? That’s how we’ve been feeling recently, thanks to a slew of new and soon-to-open spots with mind-bendingly similar names. Before you head out for the evening, reference this quick breakdown—or risk walking to Wicker Park while your crew cabs it to Lakeview.
Hub 51
Just-opened River North spot from R.J. and Jerrod Melman, the sons of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises head honcho Rich Melman. The menu covers everything from sushi ($9-$13) to dry-rubbed ribs ($12) to tacos ($14-$18). The River North tourists should be lining up in no time.
Not to be confused with ...
ZED451 (pictured)
Globally inspired all-you-can-eat concept featuring roving waiters who serve carved meat and more tableside. If you opt to skip the $49 prix-fixe option and head to the rooftop deck for the light a la carte menu (and we suggest you do), bring your patience: Lines are not uncommon.
Mana Food Bar
Wicker Park vegetarian spot from Susan Thompson (De Cero and Sushi Wabi co-owner) and Jill Barron (De Cero executive chef), set to open in mid-July. The menu will feature globally inspired fare such as soba noodles with peanut sauce and Asian veggies.
Not to be confused with ...
A Mano
Contemporary River Noth trattoria from the folks behind Bin 36. It opened in the fall, but outdoor seating debuted June 20—so now you can enjoy your pizza and pasta alfresco (look for seaonal eats such as ricotta and summer greens ravioli, $17).
Su-Ra
Cozy Wicker Park BYOB sporting a super-secluded, zen garden-inspired back patio and a compact menu of above-average Korean fare. Try the brown rice bibimbap.
Not to be confused with ...
Sura
Lakeview Thai-fusion spot that opened last spring as a BYOB and has since added a liquor license. Good news if you prefer toro to tom yum: Sushi was just added to the menu.
Table Fifty-Two
Oprah-anointed chef Art Smith’s Southern-styled Gold Coast restaurant, featuring upscale takes on down-home faves, such as pan-seared catfish with cheese grits and bacon-braised collard greens ($26). If you couldn’t score a reservation when this spot launched last summer, try again: A second dining room opened in early 2008 and Sunday brunch debuted in May.
Not to be confused with ...
Park 52
This highly anticipated Hyde Park spot from Jerry Kleiner (Room 21, Carnivale), finally debuted this spring. Throngs of restaurant-starved folks from the neighborhood now descend nightly to gaze at the tricked-out decor and graze on American eats such barbecue-braised short ribs ($24).
Angels & Mariachis
New East Village taco bar and rock cantina, the latest venture from the group behind English and The Grand Central. The bi-level space is chock full of Mexican artifacts, including, of course, a bevy of angels and mariachis.
Not to be confused with ...
Angels & Kings
New River North rock ’n’ roll bar from Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and locals Matt Eisler (Empire Liquors) and Stephen Westman (Lakeview Broadcasting Co.). The edgy decor includes lots of celeb mug shots—including a couple of Wentz and wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz.
Terri Mooney is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com
The name game
What’s in a name? We take a look at a roster of similarly named spots and find out
By Terri Mooney
July 1, 2008
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