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Location, Location, Location?
19 January 2007 Send To a FriendRiver North is one of the hottest neighborhoods in Chicago for restaurants. It’s home to Gene & Georgetti’s, Chicago Chophouse, Coco Pazzo, MK, Kevin, and Kiki’s Bistro and over 100 others. Two more have recently opened - in spots that, for some reason, have seen more restaurants than Dudley Nieto (see below).
Xel-Ha opened at 710 N Wells with absolutely no fanfare. This is the former Meztiso spot, which was formerly SWK, which was formerly Swank, which was formerly Centro. Xel-Ha is focused on Yucatan-style cuisine and is led by the aforementioned Chef Dudley Nieto. He’s previously been in the kitchens of Adobo Grill, Zapatista, and Chapulin. Â According to “Dish” from Chicago Magazine, Meztiso closed December 30. Xel-Ha’s not even listed on Metromix yet, and they’ve got an army of reporters covering the restaurant scene! For now they’re open for dinner Monday through Saturday and hope to open for lunch soon.
At the other end of the PR spectrum is Aigre Doux. This new restaurant from Hollywood dining power couple Mohammed Islam and Malika Ameen certainly seems to be setting itself up for success, despite the location’s previous foibles (Pili Pili, Mio Mezzo, Havana, George’s). Aigre Doux (which means sour-sweet) has already appeared in Food & Wine as one of “100 Tastes To Try In ‘07“, as well as being listed in every major restaurant directory for Chicago: Metromix, Centerstage, Citysearch, and, of course, The Local Tourist.
Xel-Ha
710 N Wells St
(312)274-9500
Hours: Mon - Thur 5 to 10pm, Fri & Sat 5 to 11pm
Aigre Doux
230 W Kinzie
(312)329-9400
Hours: Mon - Thurs 5 to 11pm, Fri & Sat 5pm to Midnight
Bakery to open Feb 1
January 31st, 2007 at 3:46 pm
My wife and I ate at Xel-Ha last Saturday night and it was fabulous. Very interesting Yucatan cuisine from one of the best, if not the best, Mexican chefs around. Lovely decor, top-notch staff, ‘real’ Mexican music. Right in the heart of the River North gallery district. I am so glad to see Dudley Nieto back in town. A very welcome return.
February 5th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I went here with some friends, my first impression upon walking in is that the place was very tastefully decorated with a clean urban feel. I was met by a rather attractive hostess and a well dressed individual who appeared to be the general manager. I sat at the bar first waiting for my friends to come. I received personal attention from the manager and the bartenders, who although swamped from the large parties of people that were eating, gave me every bit of attention I want and deserve when I go to a restaurant. Thats one of the things with this place that I noted, their service is simply excellent, faces are friendly and people are charming, and they realize that the restaurant business is more than just serving food. The food itself was a whole different story. We arrived late so we ordered appetizers and a couple of entrees. The food was perfectly balanced, well proportioned, and absolutely delicious. Things to try as a must would be their Oxtail for appetizers and most certainly their sticky toffee for dessert, which by the way is singlehandedly the best dessert I have ever tasted in my entire life. Ever. Its worth going there just for that.
Cheers