WEST TOWN — Ahoy, Chicago Avenue!
A chef from a Milwaukee Avenue seafood joint has headed to West Town to lead the kitchen of Bow & Stern Oyster Bar, it was announced Thursday.
Formerly with The Savoy, Brian Greene will be the lead chef of a new raw bar, seafood and steak house, which plans to open Dec. 19 at 1371 W. Chicago Ave., on the southeast corner of Noble Street and Chicago.
Located in the former Branch 27 American bistro restaurant, Bow & Stern will offer dinner and weekend brunch in a "laid-back, relaxed atmosphere" with exposed brick and a blue-and-gray color scheme that will radiate a "boathouse" feel, according to a news release.
A raw bar near the front of the restaurant will put eight to 12 varieties of fresh shucked oysters in the spotlight, primarily Long Island Blue Point and Oregon Kumamoto oysters flown in from both coasts and the Gulf six times weekly.
A photo of Kumamoto oysters on the Bow and Stern Facebook page describes the delicacies as "known for their deep cups sculptured shells, and mild flavor with a slightly sweet aftertaste."
Oysters will comprise 60 to 70 percent of Greene's menu along with lobster, King Crab, mussels, scallops and seasonal fish, while the rest of the menu will be "ever-evolving terrestrial" or land-based recipes, including pork belly and Wagyu beef, flatbreads and burgers.
Key-lime pie is planned for dessert, while weekend brunch includes a lox platter.
The addition of a second bar in the adjacent room will double barroom seating capacity from Branch 27’s former layout, and will showcase Midwestern brewers, "a straightforward wine list and classic and seasonal hand-crafted cocktails," according to the release.
Bow & Stern is the first food-driven project from owners Bryan Burrow, a former manager of sports bar Cans at 1640 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park and Jay Runnfeldt, a partner with Three Headed Productions (The Drawing Room, The Back Room).
Reached by phone Thursday, Burrow said, "We're very excited about being on Chicago Avenue and hope that it becomes a bustling restaurant district. ... We're happy that we're on the forefront of its renaissance."
In addition to The Savoy, which opened in June 2012, Greene, who left The Savoy in July, also previously worked at Tramonto's Steak & Seafood in Wheeling, Abigail's in Highland Park and The Purple Pig.
Bow & Stern Oyster Bar, 1371 W. Chicago Ave. Hours are 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays and 10:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Sundays. Phone: 312-988-0644.
