WICKER PARK — Lovers of ramen have spoken with their pocketbooks: Furious Spoon, a new Wicker Park eatery opening in mid-February, has raised more than $27,000 and nearly doubled its Kickstarter goal.
"It's great; we can't complain and are excited," Chef Shin Thompson said Tuesday while surveying the ongoing construction on the fast casual Tokyo-style eatery at 1571 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park's iconic Flat Iron building.
After the Kickstarter campaign ends on Saturday and through the spring, Thompson will be sending perks to more than 325 backers.
Among the incentives for kicking in cash to pay for design elements and a speaker system are invites to private friends and family dinners, a noodle-making session and a bowl of ramen every day of the year.
For those familiar with Food Mart or any of the past restaurants in the same storefront, the 1,300-square-foot interior of Furious Spoon looks very different.
With space for about 50 people, the eatery has an open kitchen where patrons can watch their food being cooked, either while sitting a long communal tables or on a long, low backless bench facing the kitchen.
In addition to four varieties of ramen (vegetable, pork, chicken and a rotating special) all priced around $8, Furious Spoon will serve rice dishes and a few appetizers like pickled vegetables and gyoza, Japanese dumplings.
There will also be a a small selection of Japanese beers and sake, Thompson sad.
Thompson estimates that Furious Spoon will bring 15 new jobs to the area. The hours have not yet been posted on the restaurant's Facebook page, but the storefront could be staying open as late as 2 a.m.
Later this month, Thompson is scheduled to be a guest chef at Arami, 1829 W. Chicago Ave. in West Town for "Noodle Night" from 5-9:45 p.m. Jan. 27. He will be cooking two types of ramen, including beef brisket, at $10 per bowl.
Reservations are encouraged. Call Arami at 312-243-1535 or visit its website.
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