Is Sodikoff Restaurant Group's New Deli Going Into The Just-Shuttered Steve's Deli Space?!

Photo: Steve's Deli

Steve's Deli has an outgoing message on its answering machine that it would only be closed the weeks of Christmas and New Year's. It still hasn't opened and direct calls to the owner have resulted in disconnected numbers (I've been told by an Ultimate Insider that he moved back to his permanent home in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where the original Steve's Deli is located.).

In related news, Sodikoff Restaurant Group (Au Cheval, Bavette's, Gilt Bar, Maude's Liquor Bar) is working on opening Dillman's, a Jewish deli in River North.

People Lounge To Close, Plus Other Shockers

People Lounge interior via Nightout.com.

The week kicked off with the news of Great Lake abandoning its Andersonville digs and Michael Simon leaving his high-profile bartending position at Carriage House. There's so much more:

• According to Eater Chicago, People Tapas Lounge is closing on Jan. 20. No word on why it's leaving, but the owners are also behind Division Ale House, which is also in Wicker Park.

• The guys behind Rockit Ranch Productions have unveiled their latest project, which is going into the old Martini Ranch space. GrubStreet's assessment was pretty restrained. For me, Ay Chiwowa's Mexican theme feels like it's going to be more like a combination of Taco Bell and Tavernita's Barcito (mostly because of the similar dog mascot). Even one of RRP's biggest fans was disappointed about the name, and added that she expected a "Latin lounge with a whimsical twist, perhaps. Fun, festive yet sophisticated. South-of-the-border Sunda?"