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West Loop Restaurant Rundown: Expat Opens, Nando's Soon, and Umami, Too?

By Stephanie Lulay | May 17, 2015 2:05pm | Updated on May 18, 2015 8:43am

WEST LOOP — Here's our weekly roundup of restaurant news in the West Loop.

Expat is open: The team behind Nellcôte and RM Champagne Salon has officially opened Expat, a new 24-seat al fresco eatery outside RM Champagne Salon at Green and Randolph streets, this week. The sidewalk cafe boasts raw eats, rosé snow cones and prime people-watching.


Expat is now open at Green and Randolph in the West Loop. [Expat Twitter]

Nando's opens Wednesday: Portugese chicken chain Nando's Peri-Peri will officially open Wednesday at 945 W. Randolph St., representatives confirmed this week. The popular international spot, specializing in spicy peri-peri chicken, will open locations in Lakeview and Lincoln Park later this year. A quarter-chicken and side dish start at $7.25.


Spicy Portuguese-style chicken is the signature offering at Nando's Peri-Peri. [Nando's Facebook]

Umami Burger joining the Row: Quoting sources familiar with the deal, Crain's Chicago reported this week the L.A.-based Umami Burger has agreed to take over a 2,734-square-foot space at 945 W. Randolph St., next to La Colombe Torrefaction and Nando's Peri-Peri in Restaurant Row. The chain opened its first Chicago location in Wicker Park in September.


[Umami Burger]

New lunch eats: Fulton Market restaurant Ramen Takeya, 819 W. Fulton Market St., is now open for lunch, serving up their authentic Japanese ramen with a chicken paitan base from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Eater Chicago reports Avec will also debut a lunch menu next week.


[Ramen Takeya]

Fox in the hen house: Eater Chicago reports SoHo House has opened "late-night drinking joint" Fox Bar, which shares space with existing restaurant Chicken Shop. The bar will focus on local beers and Chicago-themed cocktails, including one named after former Mayor Jane Byrne, at 113-125 N. Green St.

Bocce ball for all: Kaiser Tiger made headlines this winter when they transformed their beer garden into an ice curling rink, and the West Loop bar's summer plans won't disappoint. The beer garden now features two bocce ball courts, owner Chris Latchford said this week. Thirty minutes of play costs $15 and the beer garden at 1415 W. Randolph St. seats more than 200.


[Kaiser Tiger/Chris Latchford]

Goose's taproom: While Fulton and Wood doesn't make the West Loop boundary cut, Goose Island Brewery's new taproom, which opened Thursday on the Near West Side, is worth the trip. The longtime brewery has launched tours, too.


Goose Island Brewery, at Fulton and Wood streets, debuted its new taproom last Thursday. [DNAinfo/Stephanie Lulay]

Tapas next up at Next: A spring culinary trip to Spain influenced Next Restaurant's latest reincarnation, chefs shared in a YouTube video posted Monday. Tickets to Next: Tapas, the concept that debuts Saturday at the fine dining restaurant known for its revolving themes, are now on sale.


Tapas, developed by chefs Grant Achatz, Dave Beran and Mike Bagale, closes Sept. 6. [YouTube]

TÊTE sandwiches at La Colombe: TÊTE is now selling signature sandwiches at La Colombe for $7, representatives said this week. The sandwiches are available at the West Loop cafe, 955 W. Randolph, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays while supplies last.

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