Vivial Restaurant has abruptly closed

Vivial has replaced their menu outside their front door with a “We are closed” sign today. We reached out to Vivial asking if they had closed for good and they responded “Yes”.  We also checked OpenTable which confirmed no tables are available any longer.  Vivial had re-concepted last November from Spencer’s Jolly Posh Foods.

More information can be read here from Eater Chicago.

Bel-Port Liquors leaving when it’s home at 1362 W. Belmont is sold

The building on the corner of Southport and Belmont that houses Bel-Port Liquors is currently for sale, and once a buyer comes through, the liquor store will be closing. Across the street, the building that once housed Flat-Top Grill, Burger Boss and Dojo Chicago is mostly vacant, so this area of Southport and Belmont could look quite different within a short period of time.

From the real-estate listing:

“The first floor is occupied by Bel-Port Liquors, which currently operates under a month-to-month lease and will vacate at the time of sale. Half of the first floor and the entire second floor is currently vacant, which was previously used as storage space. A new owner can take advantage of this opportunity by gut rehabbing the existing building, into a luxurious mixed-use; retail and apartment building. Each floor has one in-place bathroom and one room with plumbing in-place for a second bathroom.

The immediate area is populated with restaurants and bars, and many national retailers. The property’s proximity to major thoroughfares and public transportation make it an ideal spot. This is a perfect value-add opportunity to a new investor.”

The price is listed at $1,250,000 and is approx. 5100 square feet. You can see the listing here.

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Tex-Mex and Italian/French will be 4-Star’s Newest Southport Restaurants

4-Star Restaurant Group, parent company of Crosby’s Kitchen, Smoke Daddy, Frasca’s Pizzeria and D.O.C. Wine Bar (and others) is expanding in Chicago’s Southport Corridor, and here is the latest update:

  • Justin’s Space. The former Justin\’s Bar & Grill space is currently gutted, and 4-Star is hoping to get in there shortly to start the construction process. The space will feature full windows from the rendering below, along with an expanded kitchen area. The name should be announced soon, and they are looking to open by fall. It will be a Tex-Mex themed restaurant along with brunch on the weekends, killer margaritas and a full tequila bar. They will be keeping the outdoor area, albeit a bit smaller.
  • Wrigleyville Dental Space  The building behind Crosby\’s Kitchen will be re-developed and is planning to open in 2017 as an adult restaurant and full bar with French and Italian cuisine. The name of the new restaurant will be Ella Elli, and will be open for dinner only.

Timings are all dependent on the permit processing from the City of Chicago for both restaurants (Justin\’s former space is currently undergoing the permitting process). More information can be found here from DNA Info Chicago.

4-Star Restaurant Group will be keeping Justin’s former outdoor patio area

Good news for former Justin’s beer garden fans.  4-Star will be keeping the outdoor area in their upcoming new restaurant at 3358 N. Southport Avenue, but it will be smaller due to construction needed to expand the kitchen.

We have also heard that they will be improving it greatly, with fire pits to keep things going well into the cooler months. In addition as we mentioned before, Tex-Mex appears to be the new restaurant theme.