LINCOLN SQUARE — So long parmesan fries, hello oyster bar.
The former Bad Dog Tavern will transform into Mash, its owners announced Monday.
Ownership group Bonehead Entertainment unveiled the new name and concept for the eatery after announcing earlier this month that Bad Dog would shutter after seven years. The group also operates Merkle's in Wrigleyville, Riverview Tavern in Roscoe Village and Nobel House in Geneva.
According to co-owner Jim Ammirati, the idea for Mash, 4535 N. Lincoln Ave., was born out of the success of Nobel House, which opened last May.
"It had probably been three or four years since we did anything with our menu" at Bad Dog, he said.
The reception Nobel House received got the ownership team thinking the concept would be a nice fit for Lincoln Square, said Ammirati, who lives in the neighborhood with his family.
Similar to Nobel House, Mash's menu will feature house smoked meats, specialty burgers and a daily selection of fresh seafood including oysters, crab and lobster.
"It's where Lincoln Square is going from a food perspective," he said.
In order to up its culinary game, Mash's kitchen needed a makeover, and owners brought in "actual chefs" — Marshall McCarty and Garrett Schroeder — to oversee food preparation.
There's not a single holdover item from Bad Dog's menu, though Ammirati noted that fans of the dearly departed parmesan fries can still get their fix of the taters at Riverview.
A few things won't change, he said. Ammirati wanted to assure patrons that the patio at Mash will remain dog-friendly, Tennessee sports fans can still call Mash home and the new joint will still emphasize craft beers and liquors.
Look for Mash to open in late March or the first week of April.
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