LINCOLN SQUARE — The corner of Wolcott and Montrose has a new occupant: Bar Rista Cafe.
Quietly open now for two weeks, the restaurant is the latest eatery to attempt to make a go of things at 1834 W. Montrose Ave., where Wolcott's, Troquet and Mangal have failed in the past.
Mitch Gundogdu, who holds the lease to the location, told DNAinfo Chicago in August that the then-unnamed Bar Rista would keep things simple, with an emphasis on soups, salads and sandwiches.
Patty Wetli discusses why some spots struggle to keep business:
The menu reveals Gundogdu has largely kept to his word.
Nearly a dozen sandwiches are available, ranging from tuna salad for $8 to a salmon filet for $13. Most are simply dressed with tomato, avocado and romaine, served on an airy ciabatta bread.
More ambitious entrees, priced between $14 and $21, include tilapia and the Tour de Rista, which features marinated chicken, steak, shrimp and mashed potatoes.
On the drinks side, Bar Rista offers a small wine list, served by the glass or bottle, and nearly 20 beers that run the gamut from Miller Lite and Heineken to local craft brews from Half Acre and Lagunitas.
The decor is spartan, holding true to the "back-to-basics" minimalist theme: simple wood tables and chairs and whitewashed walls.
At Bar Rista Cafe, the emphasis is on hearty sandwiches. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
Decor is in keeping with the "back to basics" theme at Bar Rista Cafe. [DNAinfo/Patty Wetli]
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