There's a new bar in Old Town you're not supposed to know about.
The owners -- notables like the chef from Wheeling's Osteria di Tramanto and Blackbird, and the bar-trepeneurs behind Kirkwood, WestEnd, Stone Lotus, Elm Street Liquors and Spoon -- have been keeping it under wraps.
But, natch, that's just built the intrigue. The new joint's called Old Town Social, soft opening on Saturday.
The principals say the low-buzz debut's complements the bar's concept, which they describe as "so modest, it's almost radical."
A bar. With food.
The idea is to create a classic, nostalgic neighborhood bar (vintage shoe shine stand?) with a modern feel. That means, according to UrbanDaddy, tufted antique settees, a fireplace, marble bar tops and an enormous exposed-joist barrel ceiling.
Despite the baroque interior, there's no dress code.
Chef Van Camp describes the cuisine as "peasant," highlighted by a dedicated Charcuterie bar offering cured meats made in-house.
So go ahead and kick it until 2 a.m. during the week, and 3 a.m. on weekends.
Just don't tell anyone.
Old Town Social, 455 W. North Ave., 312-266-2277
