![]() He says Chicago’s dining critics have a history of honing in on just a few well-known restaurants, and that excludes many independents: “Stop the crap - there’s too much good stuff out there,” he says. Time Out reached out to Pisolino in late March, and De Marte is thankful for the change in the food hall’s philosophy and commitment to being more inclusive. At the food hall, expect vegetarian and bolognese lasagna, arancini, meatballs, and a rotating slate of fresh pastas. That shift afforded them the stability to pursue projects like Time Out. ![]() That saved the business, as James De Marte says that sales are now steadier than they were pre-pandemic. Last year, he and co-owner Rachel De Marte converted their full-service restaurant into a retail market while still offering catering and lunchtime sandwiches. Although Time Out is holding a job fair Wednesday and Thursday, June 2 and 3, the labor situation has De Marte nervous. Time Out gave him the option of offering delivery, but he opted out - he doesn’t have enough workers to keep up with demand. Chef and co-owner James De Marte says many of his delivery orders come from the West Loop, so opening nearby makes sense. “It’s coming, I’m getting to it - I have too many requests,” he says with a laugh.Īnother newcomer is Pisolino, the Italian restaurant in Avondale. Carter doesn’t think the South Side specialty is too messy for posh Fulton Market. A Chicago original, rib tips, aren’t part of the opening menu. For now, they’ll serve baby-back ribs and brisket. He says he’s teamed up with Salumi Chicago’s Greg Laketek on a special hot link with ‘nduja they’ll unveil exclusively at the food hall. ![]() It’s been a huge year for Carter as he now has his Evanston restaurant, two Chicago ghost kitchens, and the Time Out stall. “I grew up in inner-city Chicago on the South Side and I’m on the Time Out roster - that alone is huge for me.” “It’s a lot to take in,” says Soul & Smoke chef D’Andre Carter. Wednesday’s announcement seemed to address that criticism as three out of Time Out’s six new vendors are Black-owned - Soul & Smoke barbecue and two Bronzeville stalwarts: Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream and Cleo’s Southern Cuisine. For an operation that desired to curate the best of Chicago’s culinary scene under one roof, a one-stop shop for tourists who prefer to stay close to downtown with limited time to explore the city, this was a glaring omission. The food hall’s original roster included zero Black-owned restaurants. Time Out Market Chicago, which bears the same name as the media company responsible for the magazine, has also shifted its strategies after a year marked by a pandemic and the outcry that followed after George Floyd’s murder. They’ve also partnered with All Day Kitchens, a delivery-only company that works with several Chicago restaurants through ghost kitchens. Even Fat Rice has quietly launched a delivery-only cocktail service as the Chicago Spirit, fueling speculation that a comeback in Logan Square is imminent.ĭanielle Dang tells Eater they’ve decided to focus on their Pilsen restaurant, aiming to relaunch on June 17 with new dishes. Hai Sous, the Vietnamese restaurant from Thai and Danielle Dang Decent Beef from Kevin Hickey (Duck Inn) and a stall from Purple Pig chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. Though chefs rave about the exposure Time Out could give their restaurants which would grow their customer base and brand, the pandemic has forced restaurant owners to rethink their strategies.Ĭhef John Manion of El Che Steakhouse and Bar has refocused his energy into launching a barbecue shop inside legendary suburban music venue FitzGerald’s. Meanwhile, the pandemic has left restaurant owners with several choices when it comes to pursuing auxiliary projects. Of that group, only Fisher remains Fat Rice and Band of Bohemia both closed under controversial circumstances. When Time Out Market debuted in 2019, it was a splashy affair with three bars and 18 restaurants that featured some of Chicago’s bigger culinary names like James Beard winner Abe Conlon, Band of Bohemia (at that time, America’s only Michelin-starred brewpub), and Brian Fisher of Michelin-starred Entente. The food hall’s new lineup consists of 11 vendors, a roster that includes returning restaurants Dos Urban Cantina, Arami, and Urbanbelly. Time Out Market Chicago has announced a reopening date - Thursday, June 17 - marking the first time the two-story food hall will be open since the state suspended indoor dining in late October due to COVID-19.
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