A ‘Top Chef’ Alum’s Heated Downtown Rooftop and Four More Openings

Winter may seem like a quiet season in Chicago, but a peek under the hood of Chicago’s hospitality industry will show that even the chilliest time of year can provide plenty of surprising, exciting, and delicious restaurant and bar debuts all over the city. The following are just some of the restaurants that have opened — or reopened — their dining rooms, patios, and takeout windows. It will be updated periodically.

Know of a restaurant that’s opening? Email chicago@eater.com with details so they can be included when this post is next updated.

January 5

Fulton Market: Sushi stall Madai opened in December inside Time Out Market Chicago, according to (guess who) Time Out Chicago, bringing a Japanese option to fill a void left by the exit of longtime favorite Arami. Madai is helmed by chef Ismael Lucero Lopez (Japanais, Rebar, TenGoku Aburiya, Arami), who will bring some Latin influences to options like El Baja (panko ebi, tuna, avocado, marinated jalapenos) and Tres Ronin (tuna, hamachi, salmon, cliantro, poblano, lime zest). Madai, 916 W. Fulton Market inside Time Out Market Chicago, Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Garfield Ridge: After a lengthy shutdown and renovation process, Villa Rosa Pizza reopened on Thursday, January 4 in a new space at 5786 S. Archer Avenue, owners announced on Facebook. Originally founded in 1972, the neighborhood pizzeria was shut down by the Chicago Department of Public Health in September 2022 and has been under construction ever since, with operators regularly updating fans with pictures of the buildout on social media. “We want to thank you, all the Villa Rosa fans, friends, and family for your patience and support and look forward to seeing you!” they write. Villa Rosa Pizza, 5786 S. Archer Avenue, Hours not yet available.

Lincoln Park: Brun, a cookie shop from the team behind vegan empanada business Fons, opened Tuesday, January 2 at 2566 N. Clark Street. The counter-service spot has replaced the original Fons location, though a trio of empanada outposts remain. Brun is decidedly not vegan, with a menu of cookie flavors including strawberry, banana pudding, “brookie” (read: brownie cookie), and birthday cake, plus stuffed cookies such as Biscoff and Nutella. Brun Cookies, 2566 N. Clark Street, Open noon to 10 p.m. daily.

Lincoln Square: Cafe Mas, a vegan coffee shop and cafe from the owners of Penelope’s Vegan Taqueria, opened in late December at 2310 W. Foster Avenue, the team announced on Instagram. The Mexican-owned cafe is awash in brightly colored murals and serves a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, as well as dishes like the Power Burrito (refried beans, spinach, kale, pico de gallo, avocado). Cafe Mas, 2310 W. Foster Avenue, Open noon to 5 p.m. daily.

The Loop: Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani will launch his latest project, “sexy” Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar Seville, on Saturday, January 6 on the 16th floor of The Canopy by Hilton Chicago at 243 S. Franklin Street, according to a rep. Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena, Prime & Provisions) promises a sharing-friendly seasonal menu that traverses the costal regions around the Mediterranean Sea with opening dishes like grilled octopus (fingerling potatoes, nduja) and paella-style risotto (clams, mussels, shrimp, chorizo, chicken, saffron). The 5,900-square-foot rooftop dining room is lined with windows for views of the city and there’s a 1,700-square-foot outdoor bar and lounge space that will be open almost year-round with heaters. Seville, 243 S. Franklin Street, 16th Floor, Open Saturday, January 6, Reservations available via Seven Rooms.