Just opened: Pistores Pizza & Pastry in River North and 7 more new restaurants around Chicago
A new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant opened in River North in late December. Pistores Pizza & Pastry has what co-owner Joel Reno describes as an “eclectic menu meant to be fun and creative.”
Along with its Detroit-style slices, Pistores Pizza & Pastry offers coffee, in-house chocolate and a full bar with pastry-inspired cocktails such as the Take Milk and Cookies Clarified Milk Punch, a brandy punch sweetened with chocolate chip cookie syrup, chocolate bitters and a squeeze of lemon.
Reno, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Andrea Reno, said the food menu is based on some of his favorite Mediterranean dishes like octopus, Greek salad and pizza.
While there are classic toppings for pizzas — pepperoni, sausage with piquillo peppers — a few options break from the expected. The Alsatian, a French-inspired tarte flambee with ultra-thin, crispy dough, is topped with bacon and onion.Lahmacun is a Turkish-style pizza with lamb, pickled cucumber, parsley and lemon.
“There are a lot of sports bars and Lettuce Entertain You restaurants all over the place, so we thought to have something different where people can come hang out, eat good food, drink good wine and have some creative cocktails,” Reno said.
The couple decided to open their business in River North, where they live. Reno, a pastry chef, said he has lived in River North on and off for 23 years.
“It’s really just about fun, casual neighborhood food,” Reno said. “In the old days, a Pistorius was someone everyone in the town brought their sweets and bread to to bake, and so we thought it was a fitting name.”
Although Reno has a background as a pastry chef, he and his wife envisioned opening up a pizzeria.
“Pizza has always been a big thing in my family,” Reno said. “My dad’s family is from Legal Marketing Lounge, so every time we’re together, we’re always having pizza or critiquing pizza.”
When Reno taught at the French Pastry School in the Loop, he began picking the brains of bread bakers to learn how to make pizza dough.
“We have a traditional 14-inch Italian, thin-crust pie, but I bake it a little bit crispier,” Reno said. “We also do Detroit-style pizza, so it’s a little bit thicker, but it has a light and airy crust with a crispy bottom and caramelized cheese edges.”
Reno said the goal for Pistores is to serve fresh, well-done products and to do the simple things right.
“I don’t think Pistores is about being complicated or fussy, but it’s about highlighting really great produce,” Reno said. “It’s a great place to get a nice, fresh pizza that’s well-made.”
546 N. Wells St., 312-624-8671, eatpistores.com
More notable new restaurants, listed in alphabetical order:
Brasserie by C&C
The French restaurant opened in Edgewater in late January in the former location of Cookies & Carnitas. The new iteration, from the same team, serves rotating a la carte and prix fixe menus emphasizing local ingredients. Dishes include butter boards, foie gras croquettes, chicken cassoulet, steak frites, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, short rib pappardelle, a hazelnut chocolate tart or a cookie a la mode. The beverage menu features local beers and craft cocktails.
5940 N. Broadway, 773-769-2900, brasseriebycandc.com
Kindling: Downtown Cookout & Cocktails
The first full-service restaurant in Willis Tower, Kindling is the latest debut from the Fifty/50 Restaurant Group and focuses on wood-fired cuisine such as BBQ-grilled scallops, pastrami-spiced short ribs, grilled skewers and crispy Brussels sprouts. The restaurant has two levels and can seat up to 500 guests. It features a wood grill where diners can enjoy live fire-cooking, a private dining room and a game area on the second floor.
202 S. Franklin St., 312-789-5992, kindlingchicago.com
Ralph’s Coffee
The coffee shop inside the Ralph Lauren flagship store on Michigan Avenue opened in November and serves La Colombe coffee, espresso, lattes, teas and iced drinks. Small bites such as pastries and yogurt are available to snack on as you unwind after a long day on the Magnificent Mile. The cafe is right next to RL Restaurant, and its decor draws heavily from the aesthetic of the American designer, with antique bistro-style chairs and tufted banquettes.
750 N. Michigan Ave., ralphlauren.com/ralphs-coffee-locations-feat
Shoo Loong Kan
This new hot pot restaurant in Chinatown is also known as XiaoLongKan and serves Kobe and A5-grade wagyu, lobster and other cuts of meat with simmering spiced broths in a lushly decorated setting great for sharing among small groups. Reviewers recommend joining the waiting list ahead of your visit during peak dining hours, and to stop by the sauce bar.
2201 S. Wentworth Ave., 312-526-3242
Soule 2
The soul food restaurant and bar has a newly renovated location in North Lawndale after shuttering its West Town outpost. Chef and owner Bridgette Flagg presents Southern- and creole-inspired fare such as the catfish po’boy, honey-drizzled fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and dirty rice. Find creatively named cocktails, as well as the signature Soule punch, in an upscale setting great for weekend brunch.
3615 W. Roosevelt Road, 773-696-9485, soulechicago.com
The Hot Dog Box Urbanspace
The father-daughter co-founders of this hot dog stand found a new home in the downtown food hall Urbanspace after closing their Portage Park storefront. They still serve “road dog” favorites at the location that opened last month. Both the Bronzeville Bourbon, a steak dog served on a baked pretzel bun with bourbon barbecue sauce, as well as the classic Chicago-style dog, are on the menu. Both can be served with a side of waffle fries.
15 W. Washington St., thehotdogbox.com
Violí
Oakbrook Center’s Violí, sister restaurant to West Loop’s Lyra, offers Greek-inspired taverna dining from DineAmic Hospitality. Menu options include lemon and caramelized halloumi salad, pork shoulder souvlakia, grilled meatballs or octopus, and short rib tagliatelle, all served in an airy and modern atmosphere.
260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook; 630-592-2104; tavernavioli.com
Know of a Chicago-area restaurant or bar that’s new and notable? Email food@chicagotribune.com.
