It’s taking a while, but that gap in the restaurant row on Church Street west of the tracks could be filled in by later this fall.
John Tasiopoulos told the Liquor Control Board today that that he plans to turn the building at 1012-14 Church St., into 27 Live, a restaurant and bar that will have live music on weekends.
The space most recently held the now-shuttered Asado Brazilian Grill and the old site of Carmen’s Pizza.
27 Live owner John Tasiopoulos speaks to the liquor board as Gary Mendelson, the general manager for the new restaurant, looks on.
Tasiopoulos, who also owns the Old Neighborhood Grill on Central Street, says the restaurant will feature grass-fed beef, chicken and an eclectic menu of other entrees.
And he said he plans to feature blues, classic rock, some jazz and a lot of acoustic music sets on Friday and Saturday nights.
The liquor license for the new place is scheduled to be on the City Council agenda Oct. 22. Tasiopoulos has been working on renovations to the building, between That Little Mexican Cafe and Thai Sookdee, for several months.
He said he also hopes to organize other merchants in the area to put together a campaign to promote businesses west of the tracks downtown.
Chicago’s Home — jazz on the west side
The owners of Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles, who received approval this spring for a $200,000 loan from the city to open in a former auto parts store at 2424 Dempster St. on Evanston’s west side, also went before the liquor board today.
Chicago’s Home owners Tanya VanDyke-Johnson and Rosemary Barnett Malone with Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, Evanston’s liquor commissioner.
Owner Tanya VanDyke-Johnson said the 5,000 square foot restaurant would feature live jazz music from a platform next to the bar on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
The restaurant would be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The owners’ other two restaurants are located in Oak Park and Chicago.
The liquor license for Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles is scheduled to be on the City Council agenda Oct. 8.
Comings and goings
Earlier this week the City Council cancelled the liquor license for the recently closed Hota Restaurant at 2545 Prairie Ave. and approved a license for the planned Smylie Bros. Restaurant and Brewery at 1615 Oak Ave. When it opens, Smylie Bros. will become Evanston’s first brew pub.
Signs are up in the window of the former Austin Tacos on Davis Street announcing that it will soon be a Cheesie’s Pub & Grub.
And signs are also up on the Fountain Square Building proclaiming that the much-debated World of Beer is “coming soon.”
Evanston eats and treats!
Talk about restaurants, etc in Evanston……If you haven't been to Union on Chicago Ave. you are missing out! They have a fabulous live music venue in back called "Space" with uncomparable talent performing nightly. This new(ish) Space in Evanston makes me proud to tell my Chicago friends to "come up north for a great night out!" Try it!