The car at the corner
a car sitting steady in front of the now closed Alain's
09/26/2012 10:56 AM
The car in front of the Alain's
Tuesday morning before the green evicition notice came down
By now, everyone knows that the new South Loop hotspot-to-be, Alain's--owned by hot chef Alain Njike and hot Chicago Bear Israel Idonije--was served an eviction notice on Monday. It's dark and closed and the pretty yellowish decor will soon be forgotten in the South Loop. By Tuesday night, the eviction notice had been removed from the glass door. The weird thing is that a car with a couple of rough looking guys inside dressed in black sits in front. Watching. Watching. Watching. For what I'd like to know. What's the story? Who's afraid of what? And why?
Alain's got semi-good reviews while it lasted the last several weeks. I even thought it could be part of a trio of new restaurants at the corner of 14th and Michigan that could go down in South Loop hotspot history. Before it opened for a soft opening on a Friday not long ago, I was walking past and peered in the windows while on the way to my yoga class that morning. Both owners were there and one invited me to come in and see the place. I fell in love with the soft gauzy look, its small footprint and bar--and frankly, the two hot-shot guys running the show, who seemed really friendly and nice.
So the following Friday night, I found myself there for dinner. I loved the African dinner rolls--which I must say were not served plentifully unless you asked. Which I did. The wine list was short--but I did enjoy a few glasses of Proseco. I ordered halibut, if memory serves me, but was told they were out. So I tried ordering the next fish on the menu. They were also out. Before I tried ordering the third, I was told the restaurant was basically out of fish. So I had chicken. My dining companion had rabbit. He didn't like it. I loved my chicken. We also had an African-style ratatouille. All seemed pretty good for the first week of a potential hotspot. And I had plans to return with three girlfriends next month.
The reviews rolled in. Everyone reacted like me. It's good. But.
And now this. Sadness. Disappointment. And mystery. Another South Loop restaurant flies the coop before spreading its wings.
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By If the goombah fits from South Loop
Posted: 09/28/2012 10:05 AM
I just read the print article. If the goombah fits - go for it!
By Bonnie McGrath from South Loop
Posted: 09/26/2012 1:33 PM
Dear anonymous, ok! Point taken. I changed it.....
By Anonymous
Posted: 09/26/2012 11:33 AM
Goombahs? Really, Bonnie?