Evanston’s dining scene is constantly evolving and continues to be full of new highlights as we head into the new school year. Here’s what’s new, what’s coming, and what we’re saying goodbye to.
What’s new:
Hewn
1733 Central St., 847-869-4396
In honor of the DNC convention next week in Chicago and inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris, Hewn is introducing the Kamalamann: a kouign-amann pastry with coconut custard filling and topped with blueberry jam. A portion of the proceeds from Kamalamann sales will be donated to the Protect Democracy Project, a nonprofit that “educates the public about threats to democratic norms and institutions and how the American people can best confront them.” Democracy has never tasted so sweet!
Lao Tian Dumpling House
1115 Emerson St., 224-491-1849
Authentic, handmade Chinese dumplings are mass-produced at Lao Tian Dumpling House, which opened in mid-July in the strip mall at the corner of Emerson and Ridge. Demand has been pretty high since our “first look” last month, so be sure to order ahead. There’s a few on-site seating options—a table of four and a couple of counter seats inside and a picnic table outside—but your best bet is to order, pick up, and eat at home. Boiled, steamed, or fried dumplings are all equally delicious, and don’t miss ordering the available salads and sides.
Photo: Lefty’s Righteous Bagels
827 Chicago Ave.
Lefty’s Righteous Bagels launched with a soft opening on July 19th with a limited menu, quickly sold out each day, closed 8 days later to recover – and then kicked off on August 1st with a full compendium of bagel and cream cheese options. So if you stopped by during the soft opening and were disappointed to find they were out of bagels, know that they are now operating at full capacity. Just joining the lineup is Beth’s Little Bake House, which is partnering with Lefty’s to sell a selection of their scones and biscuits to go with the coffee drinks, using freshly roasted beans from local roaster Magnifico. Lefty’s plans to offer sandwiches soon, and I for one can’t wait! But in the meantime, you’ll find me here with my rosemary salt bagel with cacio e pepe cream cheese (or my new favorite: giardiniera bagel with lemon dill cream cheese) and an iced decaf latte. Lefty’s is open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to noon, and closed on Mondays.
Spice Restaurant
1905 Church St., 847-859-2847
Spice owner/chef Jacqueline Hoffman has reached out to participate in a special event at the restaurant on August 25th from 3-7 p.m. To celebrate her co-worker Jestine Thomas Gunn’s graduation with a BSN/RN from Chamberlain University of Nursing, Hoffman is hosting a party featuring all of her famous Jamaican specialties, including curry chicken, jerk chicken and pork, steamed cabbage and carrots, rice and peas, and mac and cheese. She invites everyone to come and celebrate Gunn’s success. A donation of $25 per person is suggested.
What’s coming:
Celtic knot
2022 Central St.
Looks like September will be peak for the second edition of this popular Evanston mainstay. The old LUSH space in Central is smaller than their previous space on Church Street, but I stopped by a few weeks ago for a tour and they are making great use of the space, including the patio in the backyard. I’m excited for Liz and Pat Breslin to open their doors soon. Fish ‘n chips and a pint sounds like the perfect fall combination!
OMG (Olive Mediterranean Grill)
1743 Sherman Ave.
OMG will reopen a location in Evanston across the street from its old Sherman location in a former Taco Bell store. Owner Pekin Bayramli plans to open in September so you can once again enjoy Mediterranean salads, soups, sandwiches and spreads.
Soul and smoke
1601 Payne St., 847-859-2732
Owner Heather Bublick tells me they’re planning to open their big expansion in October, a full-service restaurant with a large dining area and private event space. Bublick and her husband and business partner, Chef D’Andre Carter, gave us a few “menu suggestions”: we can expect oysters, smoked brisket cigars, and pastrami burnt ends with green tomato chow chow and gold sauce, as well as many of Soul and Smoke’s classic menu offerings. I can’t wait!
Now closed:
Blaze Pizza has closed its store on Sherman Avenue, and that has sparked a torrent of hate-filled rants against Downtown Evanston on the popular Facebook page Evanston Restaurants | Where to Eat and Drink in Evanston. Folks, that was a restaurant chain’s business decision, not a parking fine indictment. Blaze has closed a number of locations nationwide and restructured itself with a brand overhaul and a new menu — and that’s after rival quick-service restaurant MOD Pizza came along thisclose to file for bankruptcy at the beginning of the summer.
Note to restaurant owners: Hosting a special wine dinner at your restaurant? Celebrating the anniversary of your opening? Winning an award? Want to spread the word? Email [email protected] and share the news.
