LAKEVIEW — Blame the warm weather this week on the tropical Jamaican breezes blowing in a new Wrigleyville bar.
Irie Bar and Grille will replace the former Rookies Bar at 3404 N. Clark St. The owner, Kevin Grossett, shared his plans with the Hawthorne Neighbors community group this week.
Irie will have a wide selection of Jamaican dishes, with a particularly long list of jerk entrees. The traditional jerk seasoning comes on staples like chicken ($9.50), lobster ($15.95) or surf and turf ($17.95).
Grossett trained in Jamaica and has 22 years of experience in restaurant management, including his most recent work aboard a Caribbean cruise ship. Together with sous chef Neil Hinds, Grossett created a menu for Irie focused on traditional Jamaican cuisine.
Classic Caribbean fare like brown stew chicken ($12.95), escoveitch fish ($13.95) and curry goat ($13.95) are among Irie's classic entrees. Appetizers like the $11.95 jerk calamari and desserts like rum and raisin bread pudding ($5) round out the menu.
Situated at Clark, Sheffield and Roscoe, Irie would cater to both Wrigleyville tourists and neighbors, its owner suggested. The kitchen would be open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., although a limited bar food menu would be available until close.
The former Rookies has been vacant since 2013, but the corner storefront has struggled with high turnover for years. Renovations began in January and are estimated to cost $250,000.
Irie aims for a fine dining atmosphere, with a commitment to give disorderly customers the boot (although employees will "promptly and discreetly order a cab for these individuals," according to the plan of operation).
The restaurant would have a full-service bar. Specialty drinks like rum punch will join a "broad and deep variety" of beers and wine.
And yes, there will be reggae music.
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• What's Going On at Former Rookies Bar in Wrigleyville?
• Whiskey Grill Looks to Bring Southern BBQ to Former Rookies Space
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