LINCOLN PARK — After about a year of anticipation, Willow RM. is now open at the corner of Halsted and Willow streets.
The upscale American food restaurant/bar took over the 135-year-old building at 1800 N. Halsted St., which was formerly occupied by the Black Duck restaurant.
Dan Allen, former co-owner of the Black Duck, teamed up with Anthony Eugenio, owner of Zella, 1983 N. Clybourn Ave., and a third restaurateur to do a gut rehab on the 19th-century era space. The result is a chic neighborhood restaurant/bar with exposed brick, mid-century modern furniture, globe lighting and vintage artwork.
Eugenio said the goal of the establishment is twofold: To "satisfy the neighborhood" and become a destination for folks seeing plays at nearby Steppenwolf Theatre.
"We want to give theater patrons a reason to come back," he said.
On the menu is upscale American food including starters like beet soup ($6) and East Coast oysters ($3 each), as well as customizable Charcuterie plates.
Entrees include dishes like rainbow trout with brown butter, malt vinegar and basil ($22), New York strip steak with horseradish butter and smoked potatoes ($36).
Don't expect to wash it all down with craft cocktails. Instead, Willow RM. only serves traditional cocktails (think Old-fashioned) and a wide selection of wine and beer.
Eugenio said everything from the drink list to the decor is meant to be "timeless, and not trendy," adding that they're rolling out an old-school house account system for repeat customers.
The main dining area seats about 100, the basement dining area and bar seats about 40 and the back patio (which won't be open until spring) seats about 50.
Opening the restaurant within the existing building was a positive outcome for preservationists and neighborhood folks, who fought to protect the historic building from demolition a couple of years ago.
From 1914 to 1949, the building housed Schulien's Tavern, believed to be the birthplace of Chicago magic. It was once named one of the state's most endangered historic places.
For the remainder of the week, Willow RM. will only be open for dinner, beginning at 7:30 p.m. each night. Moving forward, the restaurant will be open 5 p.m. to close daily. Weekend brunch, which will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays, is expected to launch in two weeks. Reservations via OpenTable can be made starting next week.
Check out photos of the restaurant and the menu below:
[All photos DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
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