East Village breakfast/brunch hang Jam opens this week (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)
. . . there are some key openings around the horizon, starting Thursday:
Urban Daddy introduces us to Jam, a sweet little breakfast/brunch joint opening in the old Dodo space in the East Village.
Sayeth The Daddy:
"Before we get ahead of ourselves, just know that your brunch favorites will be waiting for you whenever you arrive. But since the chef is a former Trotter's and North Pond guy, you won't mind if he takes a few liberties with them.
"You know, a little crisp pork belly on your eggs Benedict here, some braised pork cheeks, ricotta salata and pickled plums in your egg sandwich there. If morning somehow becomes afternoon, and Malted Custard French Toast isn't going to cut it, a double-burger topped with smoked tomato sauce, butterkase cheese and—why not?—fried egg should."
Also scheduled to open this weekend is Red Canary, the city's first-ever "gastro lounge," with offerings like house-cut fries with truffle pesto and black pepper; pulled short ribs on garlic brioche; and buttermilk fried quail with basil whipped potatoes.
Division Ale House, owned by Baris Yuksel (who's also behind People Lounge), is scheduled to open July 24. It should fit right in the newly pub-centric area of Wicker Park's Division Street strip with its Irish-inspired decor, food, and eight draft beers favoring Irish and English brews. Of course, you'll be able to watch your favorite games on several large-screen monitors.
And, DISH got the scoop on Belly Shack, the brainchild of Bill Kim (of Urban Belly fame). Expect Asian- and Latin-influenced soups, sandwiches and small bites like yuca fries with a chimichurri dressing when it opens this fall.
