EDGEWATER — Construction delays and inspections have put The Growling Rabbit's transition to Edgewater behind schedule, but when it opens in January the cafe and pub will emerge with a little more food, and a little more maturity, owner Laura Soncrant said.
"You know, it's called the Growling Rabbit, so I'm always reminding myself and others that the tortoise got there first," Soncrant said.
Soncrant said the new location will still exemplify the Growling Rabbit spirit, with green walls and dark accents, but will be a bit more "smooth around the edges," including a newly uncovered decorative tin ceiling.
"There is a difference between Rogers Park and Edgewater," Soncrant said. "We're Rogers Park by heart, we don't want to move to Edgewater and just totally change everything. It's going to be a matured version, a grown-up Growling Rabbit. We're five now, we can be grown up."
Sonscrant said she's also looking forward to working with other upcoming businesses in the area like Income Tax, Mango Pickle and Edge of Sweetness bakery.
The eatery will still be open and operating at its original Rogers Park location, 6981 N. Sheridan Road, until the end of December while the new location at 5938 North Broadway in Edgewater continues its final renovations and gets green lights from the city.
Soncrant said when it opens in early 2017, customers will get to try a few new creations like tea-infused cheesecake and homemade beer caramel from the dessert menu with help from baker Kelly Beaudoin.
"It's been a team effort, it's not just me," she said.
On the supper menu side, Soncrant and Jen Swanteck, heading the kitchen, are still working on putting together a final list of dishes, but said meatloaf, chicken and biscuits and fish tacos will be among them.
The bar list is also still being developed, but will put a "Rabbit twist" on classic cocktails and on tap will be a variety of national and craft vendors like Sketchbook, 5Rabbit and Dovetail.
While the restaurant continues out of its Sheridan Road location, Soncrant said it is taking orders for holiday pies and cinnamon rolls.
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