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MK Restaurant to Close After 18 Years in River North

 MK Restaurant will close its doors next week after 18 years near Chicago and Franklin.
MK Restaurant will close its doors next week after 18 years near Chicago and Franklin.
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Cook County Assessor

RIVER NORTH — MK Restaurant, an upscale outpost of Chicago chain DMK Restaurants, is closing next week after 18 years in River North. 

The restaurant led by chef Michael Kornick at 868 N. Franklin St. will serve its last meal Tuesday, according to a DMK spokeswoman. 

The spokeswoman declined to make Kornick available for an interview, but confirmed a Tribune report Tuesday that the closure was driven by a dispute between Kornick and MK's landlord. David Haddad of Los Angeles-based Terra Enterprises Inc., which owns the MK building near Chicago Avenue and Franklin Street, did not return a message seeking comment.

Kornick opened the restaurant in 1999, teaming up with executive chef Erick Williams. The restaurant specialized in New American Cuisine and even served as a backdrop for NBC dating show "First Dates."

DMK, a local mini-chain behind DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar and Ada Street, among other eateries, has no plans at this time for another upscale restaurant, the spokeswoman said. 

Kornick is set to open Marshall's Landing, a new restaurant and lounge in the Merchandise Mart, on Friday. Kornick and Williams plan to reopen County BBQ, a Little Italy barbecue restaurant, in August after a fire last year.