Latest news with #JoséAndrés
Eater
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Biggest New Las Vegas Restaurant Openings, June 2025
Las Vegas's dining scene moves quickly — powerhouse casinos usher in new behemoths with Champagne and sparklers and off-Strip restaurants continue to open doors in homey neighborhood strip malls. Here is a list of new and notable spots that opened in Las Vegas recently. For the best restaurants in town, check out Eater Las Vegas's Essential 38 or Eater's guide to eating and drinking in Las Vegas. Pisces The Strip Vibey seafood restaurant Pisces opened in one of the most stunning spaces on the Las Vegas Strip on May 10. Housed in the former Lakeside location at Wynn Las Vegas, chef Martin Heierling's menu features specialty oils from Greece, pastas from Tuscany, Mediterranean seafood like grilled dry-aged branzino and rare blue lobsters, and whimsical desserts shaped like fish. Pisces retains the former tenant's sweeping views of the Lake of Dreams from the window-lined dining room, while revamping the interior with deep navy tones, glittering Italian stone mosaics, and a striking dual-level bar. Zaytinya The Strip José Andrés's acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant Zaytinya opened in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace on May 13, adding to the chef's lineup of restaurants in Las Vegas, including Bazaar Meat and é by José Andrés. The menu channels Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese flavors with dishes like spicy soujouk sausage-topped flatbread, charred octopus, and a mezze spread including labneh, tzatziki, baba ghanoush, and more. Larger mains include Tangier-spiced grilled lamb chops and a mixed grill of lamb, kofte, chicken, and adana skewers. Nudo Southern Highlands Nearly 20 years after debuting the sleek, nightclub-adjacent Nove Italiano high atop the Palms, which closed in 2018, Jenna and Michael Morton of Morton Group have returned to Italian cuisine — this time in a more relaxed, suburban setting. Their newest restaurant, Nudo Italiano, is now open in Southern Highlands, trading Strip-side sheen for casual dining and Neapolitan-style pizza. Helming the kitchen is William DeMarco, who served a menu of handmade pasta, house-baked breads, and Neapolitan-style pizzas fired in a traditional wood-burning oven. The restaurant embraces Italian comfort cooking, with dishes like crispy calamari with lemon aioli, a heaping bowl of pappardelle in veal ragu with sheep's milk ricotta, and pan-roasted branzino over eggplant puree. Holsteins Arts District Over-the-top burger and milkshake restaurant Holsteins is back — but this time, off-Strip. Holsteins Shakes and Buns closed its doors at the Cosmopolitan in May 2024, ending a 15-year run, before reopening in the Arts District on May 29, 2025. Fans of the restaurant will be pleased to see a return of the original menu, including the forager burger, made with a beef-and-mushroom blended patty, creamy steak sauce, a fried egg, Swiss cheese, and marmalade onions, as well as the blackened chicken sandwich layered with bacon, chipotle ranch, and pepperjack cheese. Diners can also find Holsteins' decadent 'Bam-Boozled' milkshakes: boozy concoctions like a cookies-and-cream shake spiked with whipped cream-flavored vodka, and a Nutella and coffee shake with chocolate ice cream. Each one comes piled high with doughnuts, cookies, and marshmallows. Bobae Noodle House Chinatown Bobae Noodle House earned a following in Korea for its signature dishes and now brings its take on Korean-Chinese comfort food to Las Vegas's Chinatown. The vibe is retro and cozy, with brick walls and neon signs glowing above diner-style red booths. The menu riffs on classics with standouts like the Bobae jjajangmyeon — chewy noodles slicked with rich black bean sauce, topped with quail egg and crunchy radish sprouts — and the jjamppong, a fiery seafood noodle soup that balances heat, brine, and depth. The tangsuyuk, a crispy pork dish glazed in sweet-and-sour sauce, also deserves a spot in the rotation. For late-night noodles, Bobae stays open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Naughty Angel Strip-adjacent Just behind the Strip, chef Angel Lopez — an alum of Hell's Kitchen, Sadelle's at Bellagio, and Elio at Wynn — has opened his first solo project: the Naughty Angel. The sleek, French bistro-style restaurant blends fine dining polish with neighborhood energy, offering a menu anchored by Lopez's flair for rich sauces and balanced plating. Highlights include the 32-ounce picanha steak, a seared duck breast with potatoes au gratin and pepper aioli, and a slow-braised lamb shank in red wine. Baked escargot and crab cakes in lemon beurre blanc set the tone up front, while desserts lean classic-with-a-twist — like a whole poached apple in mulled wine with pie-spiced ice cream. Tucked into a low-slung plaza just west of Resorts World, the Naughty Angel feels removed from the chaos of the Strip, but still within striking distance for a night out. Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen Southwest Blue Orchid Thai Kitchen is the latest venture from the family behind Las Vegas's Pin Kaow Thai Restaurant. Executive chef Steve Piamchuntar leads the kitchen with a menu that blends flavors from both north and south Thailand. Blue Orchid marries bold flavors with bold presentations — an aromatic and herbaceous tom yum soup is prepared at the table using a siphon that dramatically drains a broth filled with herbs and spices. The menu features dishes like braised short rib khao soi, a northern-style curry served with wide egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, and red onion. Other notable offerings are the panang curry-style lamb chop with eggplant, bamboo shoots, and baby corn in coconut red curry, and the Bangkok brined chicken sliders topped with fermented red curry pickles and Kewpie mayo. The setting is nearly transportive, with hanging foliage, intricate murals of Thai landscapes nestled into booth alcoves, and a display of traditional Khon masks. Sign up for our newsletter.
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
Ocean views and a taste of the sea: José Andrés opens a new restaurant on Miami Beach
A new restaurant and a new cocktail concept from Chef José Andrés' hospitality group are now open at a new Miami Beach hotel. The Andaz Miami Beach from the Hyatt Lifestyle Group, formerly The Confidante Hotel, opened earlier this month and is now home to the Mediterranean restaurant Aguasal (named for agua salada, which is Spanish for saltwater) and Bar Centro, an all-day spot for small bites and drinks. Fittingly, Aguasal is inspired by the sea, according to Andrés, who says the restaurant 'brings with it the flavors of both the Mediterranean coast and Florida's abundant produce.' Aguasal, which serves breakfast and dinner, is located on the ground floor of the hotel, with indoor and outdoor dining and oceanfront views. Expect teak and woven furniture, stone floors, and lush tropical greenery. Breakfast is what you might expect: eggs, pancakes and French toast, while the dinner menu leans to seafood. Highlights include chilled seafood like kumamoto oysters with harissa mignonette and Meyer lemon, stone crab and pink gulf shrimp as well as dishes like mussels Saganaki with feta cheese, chives and lemon. There's also a fried whole snapper and cobia with lemon-butter sauce, dill, braised fennel and trout roe. You'll also find such vegetable dishes as grilled leeks with stracciatella, sumac, hazelnuts and brown butter breadcrumbs and roasted cauliflower with tahini, sesame seeds, ground coriander, pomegranate and puffed quinoa. Meat lovers can try the hanger steak with a marash rub, harissa roasted carrots and potatoes. On the upper lobby level, Bar Centro features ocean views and is all about the cocktails like the house specialty, a Key lime pie daiquiri, although you can order small bites like croquetas, a new take on a classic Caesar salad or four-cheese grilled cheese. There's caviar service as well. Aguasal and Bar Centro won't be the only dining concepts at the Andaz. In 2026, The Bazaar by José Andrés will open at the hotel, drawing on Andrés' Spanish heritage and featuring some of his most popular signature dishes. The hospitality group also operates Zaytina, a Mediterranean restaurant at the Ritz Carlton, South Beach. The Andaz Miami Beach is the first hotel in Florida for the brand and sprawls across 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. It's a Michelin Guide-recommended hotel. Amar Lalvani, president and creative director of Hyatt's Lifestyle Group, said the Andaz and the José Andrés group were a perfect match. 'Our close collaboration with José and his talented team will bring some very special experiences to the Andaz Miami Beach,' he said. 'The combination of the freshest local ingredients and bold flavors with global influences aligns perfectly with what Andaz is all about.' Aguasal Where: Andaz Miami Beach, 4041 Collins Ave, Miami Beach Hours: 7-11 a.m. breakfast daily; dinner 6-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Bar Centro Hours: Noon-10 noon-11 p.m. Friday Saturday More information: @aguasalmiamibeach or @barcentrobyjose
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 Of The Toughest Restaurant Reservations To Get In Las Vegas
Plenty head to Las Vegas for casinos, night life, the scenic Red Rock Canyon National Park, and Sin City's own versions of globally-loved landmarks. But after all of the gambling and sight-seeing, Las Vegas' thriving restaurant scene is always on-hand to provide the sustenance. The thousands of restaurants in Las Vegas are a tourist attraction in their own right. As well as its iconic buffets, the city is home to pretty much any cuisine you could ever have a craving for — from sushi to Italian. If you want it, Las Vegas has got it. But there's a catch: You may not be able to easily get into the restaurant you're after without a reservation. This is especially true if you're heading to the Nevada city during its two high seasons, the spring and the fall months. The city's low season usually falls over the summer, due to the intense heat. At the time of writing, even though it is still welcoming millions of visitors, Las Vegas' tourism numbers are also on a slight decline, which may make it easier to bag previously hard-to-get reservations. That said, it doesn't hurt to be prepared. If you're planning a trip to Vegas in the near future, it's still a good idea to book your meals in advance to avoid disappointment — especially if you're planning to snag a table in any of the coveted eateries below at peak dining times (think between 7pm and 9pm on a Friday or Saturday night). Read more: The Special Salt Bobby Flay Uses To Deepen The Flavor Of Steak José Andrés is one of the restaurant industry's most prestigious figures. The Spanish-American chef owns multiple restaurants across the U.S., including Minibar in Washington, D.C., for example, which boasts not one, but two Michelin Stars. He's also a James Beard award winner, a New York Times bestselling author, and has been named twice on Time's "100 Most Influential People" list. So it's safe to say he's a pretty big deal. And his food? Well, it's excellent, of course. But if you want to sample it for yourself at his famous Las Vegas spot, é by José Andrés, you'll have to plan way, way ahead. Located next to another of his popular Las Vegas eateries, Jaleo (which offers tapas, sangria, and paella), é by José Andrés is a small space, dedicated to showcasing creative, innovative Spanish cuisine. And when we say small, we really do mean small — there are only nine seats available. Tickets become available three months in advance, and there are only two sittings each night, from Tuesday to Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 pm. For the best chance of a reservation, it's a good idea to sign up to the restaurant's ticket release emails, which are sent out monthly. If you bag yourself a booking, you can expect to be wowed with multiple memorable courses of avant-garde fine-dining. Expect high-end cuisine like caviar and wagyu, as well as unique takes on Basque classics like txangurro a la 698-7950Boulevard Tower, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S Level 3, Las Vegas, NV 89109 If you're hungry for Italian-American food, it's a good idea to search out your nearest Carbone. But you probably already know that, because this iconic upmarket chain — founded by chef Mario Carbone, alongside Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick — has gained quite the reputation since it first opened in New York back in 2013. At each of its U.S. restaurants, in Miami, Dallas, New York, and, of course, Las Vegas, Carbone offers some of the best Italian cuisine in the country. Think American Italian classics like Eggplant & Zucchini Scapece, Orecchiette Vito, and Spaghetti Puttanesca — all exceptionally crafted with the best quality ingredients by top chefs. In Sin City, you can find Carbone nestled inside the Aria hotel on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, where, as with its other locations across the country, it's not that easy to bag a table at short notice. If you're planning a night out at the sought-after Italian spot during your next Las Vegas trip, it's highly recommended to reserve a table in advance to avoid disappointment. In fact, the restaurant even describes itself as "perennially booked." Peak times between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. are particularly difficult to snap up. If you're looking to get in at the last minute, you'll likely have more luck finding a table later or earlier in the evening (we're talking 5 p.m. or beyond 9 pm). 590-2663ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 Las Vegas Fwy, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Kaiseki is more than just a style of Japanese cuisine, it's an artform. It's different from omakase, which is a more playful, sometimes theatrical, flexible experience that usually involves sitting in front of a chef while they create a personalized menu for you. Kaiseki, on the other hand, is a more carefully structured, pre-planned dining experience, often adhering to a theme and certain rules. Due to the care and attention that goes into creating a high-end, artistic kaiseki experience, the food should be enjoyed and savored slowly and mindfully. This is why, at Kaiseki Sanga in Las Vegas, around two hours is usually set aside for each multi-course tasting menu. All diners are served the same menu simultaneously, during two different sittings. Because of this fixed time dining, it's recommended to get your seat booked in advance. Sittings usually take place at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 pm. But don't be tempted to book a table if you're not sure about your availability — no shows will be charged a hefty $150 per head. As for the dining experience itself, you can expect to indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine, cultivated with seasonal ingredients, over a series of eight to 10 courses. The menu changes monthly, but at the time of writing, diners were being treated to a feast of seaweed (in the form of Okinawa mozuku), seafood (think grilled tachiuo and aka ebi sashimi), and indulgent dessert (like matcha ice cream and kashiwa mochi). 333-03433650 S Decatur Blvd Suite 22, Las Vegas, NV 89103 When it comes to the Japanese restaurant scene, most people think of sushi. But this popular combination of raw fish and rice, served in various styles, from handrolls to sashimi, didn't start out as a restaurant favorite. It actually likely originated out of necessity — people who lived along east Asia's Mekong River needed a safe way to preserve fish, so they cleaned it before mixing it with rice and salt. Now, however, sushi restaurants offer some of the most coveted dining experiences in the world. Take Las Vegas' highly sought-after Kabuto, for example, which specializes in Edomae sushi, and you guessed it, requires a little planning in advance if you want a reservation. Edomae sushi was born from Tokyo's street food movement in the early 1800s. It's salty, sweet, and traditionally always made with fish from Tokyo bay. Kabuto stays true to this tradition by shipping in all of its seasonal ingredients from Japan. The type of ingredients on offer consistently changes, but diners can expect an omakase-style feast of appetizers, nigiri, sashimi, handrolls, soups, and dessert, complete with saki pairings. If that sounds appealing, make sure to get your reservation well ahead of your planned visit, as Kabuto is in-demand. The restaurant only offers two sittings per night and it has limited seating. Groups are asked to book at least three days in 676-10445040 W Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146 If you're looking for true, show-stopping luxury during your Las Vegas trip, Wynn is a must visit. The resort — which was built by controversial billionaire and Las Vegas real estate developer Steve Wynn in 2014 — is a hub for some of Las Vegas' most exclusive (and expensive) bars, restaurants, retailers, and entertainment experiences, boasting award-winning production shows, elite designers shops, and even $100,000 cocktails. Yes, you read that right. But don't worry, not everywhere requires a second mortgage. Wing Lei, Wynn's five-star Chinese restaurant, offers Michelin Star level cuisine in an elaborate setting. It's not cheap, at around $50 for a seafood dish and $30 for a vegan main, but it's more accessible than the XS Nightclub (home of the $100,000 cocktail), and for a special vacation dining experience, it's worth the splurge. There's just one catch, and you've probably figured it out already. Wing Lei isn't the easiest place to get a reservation. If you want to feast on a medley of Cantonese, Shanghai, and Szechuan cuisine (in the form of everything from marinated jellyfish to mapo tofu to Alaskan king crab to Garden Dim Sum), you'll need to prepare at least a few weeks in advance. Former diners have mentioned that reservations at peak times are particularly hard to score at short 770-33883131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Nobu is arguably one of the most famous names in the high-end restaurant world. Right now, the iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion chain, founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, has more than 50 locations around the world. And one of those locations, of course, is located inside one of Las Vegas' most iconic luxury hotels and casinos, Caesars Palace. Nobu is popular for many reasons, but one of the biggest is Matsuhisa's techniques for preparing delicious sushi. This is what has helped to cultivate the restaurant's enormous fan base and its elite status within the celebrity world. And due to Nobu's global reputation for high-end, top-quality, consistently-impressive food , it's not the sort of place where you can expect to snap up a last-minute table easily. If you want to try dishes like New Zealand King Salmon with Crispy Spinach, Caviar Tacos, Tofu Tempura, Freshwater Eel, or Vegetarian Omakase during your stay in Las Vegas, you will need to engage in some prior-planning. This applies especially if you're looking for that highly sought after peak slot between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on a Friday or Saturday night. If you want the full, immersive Nobu experience, you can also opt to stay at the Nobu Hotel in Caesars Palace. Just like the restaurant, every aspect of the hotel is carefully designed and curated with Japanese opulence in mind. But one of the best parts? You get priority seating at the Nobu Restaurant with select 785-66283570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Frank Sinatra loved music and acting, of course. That much is obvious — his records are still making number one on the billboard charts to this day. But the iconic entertainer was also a major foodie. Some of his favorites were things like milanese, arugula salad, and stuffed artichokes — mostly Italian classics, which is unsurprising, given his northern Italian and Sicilian heritage. The crooner was also a Las Vegas regular, and spent plenty of time eating at the city's restaurants, one of his favorites was The Golden Steer, for example, where he would usually order steak pizzaiola. The Golden Steer is still standing, but it's not the only place where you can eat just like Ol' Blue Eyes did back in the day. Italian restaurant Sinatra is a tribute to the Hollywood icon, and it's in high demand. Like Wing Lei, the Italian restaurant is located inside Wynn, and, also like the five-star Chinese eatery, it's not the easiest place to get a last minute reservation. Some previous diners have warned that Sinatra — which offers a menu filled with Italian classics, like Polenta Fritta, Cime di Rapa, and Sinatra's beloved milanese — fills up very quickly. If you want a guaranteed seat, it's advisable to get your booking in around a month prior to your visit. Peak times are particularly tough, so if you're looking for a table between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on a weekend, you'll certainly need to book in 770-53203131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 If you're looking for Thai food outside of Thailand, the U.S. is a good place to be. The country is home to more than 6,800 Thai restaurants, which is nearly 40% of all international Thai eateries. But when it comes to the best of the American Thai food scene, you'll find a couple of sought-after restaurants in Las Vegas. One of them is Lotus of Siam, which is consistently highly-reviewed by esteemed culinary publications, including Eater Las Vegas, Bon Appétit, and The Infatuation. That's perhaps unsurprising when you consider that it's run by the first Asian-born chef to win a James Beard Award, Saipin Chutim. She grew up in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where she learned how to cook with her grandmother. Chutim moved to Las Vegas and opened Lotus of Siam in 1999, and to this day, the eatery offers some of the most impressive Thai food in the country. All of that culinary prowess equals an impressive menu (which boasts everything from northern dishes like khao soi to fusion favorites like Chilean sea bass with tom yum soup) and a difficult-to-get reservation. Previous diners have warned that it's sensible to book in advance if you want a good seat at this iconic Nevada spot. If you're coming with a large group, it's even more important to resist the temptation to just rock up and hope for the best. In this instance, you'll need to fill in a special large party reservation form in 735-3033620E Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 If you're in the mood for a steakhouse, then Las Vegas has got you covered. In fact, the Nevada city is home to nearly 90 steakhouses where you can treat yourself to a steak dinner after winning the jackpot in the casino. Some of the steakhouses are more highly rated than others, and therefore far more popular and harder to get into. If you're looking for a table at the esteemed SW Steakhouse, for example, then you'll need to prepare in advance. SW Steakhouse, which, once again, is housed inside Wynn, has a reputation for being particularly difficult to score a last-minute booking — especially if you're looking to sit down for a meal at peak times. This steakhouse is popular for many reasons. Surprise: The biggest is the impressive selection of top-quality food. The menu was crafted by top Italian-American chef Mark LoRusso, who took over the kitchen in 2021. But its location on the hotel's renowned Lake of Dreams is also a major draw. In fact, SW Steakhouse is one of the best locations in the Wynn complex to take in the views of the performance lake, which hosts a range of awe-inspiring and colorful mini shows throughout the year. SW, of course, has plenty of steak on offer, but the crowd-pleasing, family-friendly menu also features a range of seafood dishes and even vegan options. Check out dishes like the chopped salad, Carrot Cavatelli Pasta with almond ricotta, and housemade dairy-free ice cream and 770-33253131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Lisa Vanderpump is known primarily for her career on reality TV (she, of course, has had a starring role in everything from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" to "Vanderpump Rules" to "Vanderpump Villa"). But outside of her television life, she also runs multiple restaurants. There's Sur, of course, in West Hollywood, and nearby TomTom, both of which are the stars of "Vanderpump Rules." But Vanderpump also presides over two popular spots in Las Vegas. One is Vanderpump à Paris (where you can order a shot in a mini Eiffel Tower) and the other is the hard-to-book Vanderpump Cocktail Garden. Located inside Caesars Palace, as the name suggests, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden is a hotspot for cocktails (many of which are made with Vanderpump Vodka), but it also serves a menu of palatable brunch classics like Mini Smoked Salmon Bagel, Mixed Berry Waffles, and Garden on Toast (that's fancy avocado on toast), as well as tasty dinner treats like Bao Tacos and upmarket Grilled Cheese. The Cocktail Garden is a popular spot — its reputation and desirability bolstered by Vanderpump's celebrity status. If you'd like a seat at one of Lisa's Favorite Tables, you'll need to book well in advance. These premium spots, situated in Vanderpump's favorite positions around the restaurant, have limited 731-78673570 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Martha Stewart Weighs in on Meghan Markle's Netflix Show
We all know tastemaker Martha Stewart isn't one to mince her words. And her latest response when asked to give Meghan Markle advice on her Netflix show and lifestyle brand isn't any different. In a promotional interview with Access Hollywood for her latest venture on NBC, Yes, Chef!, a fresh take on a cooking competition show with Stewart as one of the hosts, the 83-year-old was asked to share her thoughts on Markle stepping into her world of culinary and lifestyle entertainment with her hit series, With Love, Meghan. While Stewart expressed she hadn't known the series was out yet, she also stated, "I haven't seen it yet, but I'll watch an episode and see how she does! I'm curious." Leave it to Martha to give an honest but respectful answer. NBC/Getty Images Stewart's Yes, Chef! co-host, José Andrés, also commended Markle for aiding and assisting alongside him during the wildfires in California earlier in the year. He said, "She was showing up in different places to feed people, and not trying to take attention or anything to herself, on the contrary. But it was great that she was there, like many others, front and center." And when asked if we might see an appearance from the pair on the Netflix show in the future, Andrés responded, "Maybe, but I don't think so." Of course, Stewart's had her own slew of series in the past. Who could forget the iconic Martha Stewart Living, The Martha Stewart Show and more recently, Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party? She also has a handful of series currently streaming on the Roku Channel, including Martha Gardens, Martha Cooks and Martha Holidays. Honestly, there's no one better suited to give the duchess advice than Stewart. Season two of With Love, Meghan was announced three days after its season one release, and is slated to hit Netflix this fall. Personally, I can't wait to see Markle tackle some pumpkin-themed treats and the lineup of versatile guests she has in store. With the new season already on the horizon, I'm curious if we'll ever get that cameo from Stewart, possibly making one of the culinary icon's noteworthy recipes (maybe not her controversial onion-and-butter sandwich). Fingers crossed. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Everything You'd Ever Want to Know About Martha Stewart
Eater
21-05-2025
- Business
- Eater
Acclaimed Spanish Restaurant Bocadillo Market Finds a New Home in West Town
Bocadillo Market, the Lincoln Park Spanish restaurant that closed in December, has found a new home in West Town along Grand Avenue, near an already impressive assortment of Italian American sandwich makers like Tempesta Market and Bari. Chef James Martin will bring a touch of Spain to the corridor when he and his wife, Jessica Neal, take over the Gemma Foods storefront. The new location is more personal for Martin. He talks about growing up in the D.C. area. His father worked in construction. West Town can attract more blue-collar workers compared to Lincoln Park, a neighborhood near DePaul University and filled with customers with college degrees. Martin wants to make sure he can serve customers like teachers and police officers regularly, keeping menu items under $20. 'That's the heart of our communities, and those folks eat out quite a bit for lunch,' Martin says. 'That's some of the things we missed in Lincoln Park.' Bocadillo 2.0 will open in phases, hopefully debuting in early July if not before. It's an evolution of Lincoln Park's daytime menu, headlined by sandwiches and augmented by coffee and pastries. Though the new location, 1117 W. Grand Avenue, won't offer regular dinner service — takeout and delivery will be a focus — that doesn't mean customers won't see an occasional pop-up. Martin says Sunday suppers, meals that would require reservations, would play a big role. The Lincoln Park location of Bocadillo Market opened in 2021 near Clark and Fullerton, and Martin — who's worked for José Andrés, North Pond, and A10 — treated Chicago to a different side of Spanish cuisine, one that blended Moorish and even Lowcountry influences. Bites featured serrano jamón or crisp calamari, often mounted between slices of pan de cristál. Think of the bread as a Spanish version of focaccia. During nightly dinner service, Martin would break out dishes like paella. Martin and Neal pumped plenty of energy and resources into creating a Spanish oasis in Lincoln Park, creating a comfy back patio and curating a supply of imported wines and other packaged goods in front. For example, it's one of the rare spots in Chicago to find Vichy Catalan, the Spanish sparkling water. The restaurant caught the attention of the James Beard Foundation, as Martin was named as a semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2024 and a 2022 Best New Restaurant in Bon Appétit . When they closed, Martin says he wanted to feed more people and to ensure his menu could be affordable. He also wanted to change lifestyles: 'It's fun, but at the end of the day, for me, I don't want to be at the restaurant at 1 o'clock in the morning or midnight.' On the accessible front, he points to West Town's vast array of Italian restaurants like Bari, D'Amato's Bakery, PIZZ'AMICI, Elina's, and Oggi Trattoria. Chicago has Spanish restaurants, like Bazaar by José Andrés or Boqueria in Fulton Market. But construction workers, like Martin's dad, aren't going to regularly patronize those establishments. He wants to make those customers feel welcome: 'It's really important to me,' Martin says. Bocadillo Market , 1117 W. Grand Avenue, planned for an early July opening Sign up for our newsletter.
