3 days ago
The Owners of an Acclaimed Cocktail Bar Are Opening a Pizzeria in Avondale
It's been five years since Jim Lasko opened Guild Row in Avondale. The building, hidden off Elston Avenue, houses a co-working space for members, a library, a cafe, and a bar. They've hosted private parties and a rotating lineup of food pop-ups.
There have been changes since 2020. Thattu opened with its brand of Southern Indian cuisine. Soul & Smoke opened a location off the Chicago River. One of the barbecue spot's neighbors, Metropolitan Brewing, sadly has closed.
Now, Guild Row is about to embark on a new journey. They're partnering with the owners of the esteemed cocktail bar Meadowlark in Logan Square on a permanent restaurant inside their Avondale space. Lark Pizza will serve neo-Neoapolitan thin-crust pizza, the kind made famous at pizzerias like Paulie Gee's in Logan Square. They'll also offer Roman squares, or pinsas, to pay homage to designer and architect Elyse Agnello's Italian heritage. The pinsas are inspired by Agnello's family recipes and are low in gluten, according to a news release. Salads and appetizers round out the menu.
Meadowlark's Steve Lewis runs three venues in Logan Square. There's the namesake cocktail bar; Union, a beer-hall style bar; and Lardon, an all-day salumeria and cafe. The pizzas will make use of Lardon's meats as toppings. There will be cocktails created by Meadowlark beverage director Abe Vucekovich. The Violet Hour alum will remain in charge of drink development even as he helms his new bar, Friends of Friends, which opens on Thursday, May 29. During the warmer months, Lark will make use of a 2,600-square-foot patio.
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week to the general public. Guild Row members will receive perks.
Lark Pizza , inside Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell Street, planned for a summer opening.
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