Welcome to Small Bites! This is the debut of a monthly column that will chew into timely tidbits, tastes and trends at restaurants and food businesses in the area. Keeping you abreast of more happenings than we can feature in articles. We invite chefs, restauranteurs and readers to send us your tips, questions and news to Eats@oakparkeats.com. We’ll do our best to keep up!
U3 Coffee Roasters, 7430 Madison St., Forest Park, opened its doors.
The Coffee Shop, 163 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, has closed. Owner Jose Balaguer said, “My life necessitated other plans but I hope someone can pick up the torch as we believe The Coffee Shop Oak Park is an integral part of the community.”
More than 40 varieties of BUBS, the Swedish candy craze are available at Candycopia, 717 Lake St., Oak Park. These gelatin-free, vegan confections have a texture somewhere between a marshmallow and gummy. Flavor combos pair sour, sweet, fruity and sometimes salty. According to owner Alyicia Mason, these are the “it” candy of the moment. She says people are driving in from all over the Midwest to get these international, social media darlings.
Papaspiros former location is transforming into Seoul Avenue, 728 Lake St., Oak Park.
A Korean-focused menu will be curated by owner Minha Sung, who has a degree from the Culinary Institute of America and has both owned and worked in restaurants in the Chicago area. Sung plans both lunch and dinner service.
Crepas Culichi, 1101 Lake St., Oak Park has a new events space one door west on Lake Street.
Expansion is also underway at Wise Cup, 1018 Lake St., Oak Park. It is adding space next door in the former location of Einnim Creative Studios. Open is planned in April.
“I always envisioned creating a space that not only serves great coffee but also fosters community and creativity,” said Wise Cup owner Shivangi Khetarpal. “This expansion allows us to better serve the community by adding more seating, introducing more Indian treats and hosting special events.”
Planting and gardening season is around the corner when Tomato Lady of Oak Park sells her seasonal bounty of heirloom and unusual seedlings: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs, melons, etc. This year she is taking a different tack. Instead of pre-orders, she will sell all her sprouts in May. Check her social media for dates.
Tickets are going fast for the Forest Park Spring Wine Walk. Tickets to the April 12 stroll, go for $50. With admission you get to sip wines at 16 locations along Madison Street and savor locally prepared small bites – and score a complimentary bottle of wine from Famous Liquors. The saunter will happen rain or shine from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Boba tea purveyor The Wolf is adding an Oak Park location at 134 N. Oak Park Ave.
The expansive menu of boba tea, coffee, snacks and sandwiches will be similar to its North Riverside location. The Wolf prides itself on using quality ingredients imported from Taiwan. The storefront on Oak Park Avenue still has paper covering the windows, but opening is expected this spring.
Speaking of covered windows, the word from local commercial real estate agent David King is that the plywood boarded space at 105 N. Marion St. in Oak Park is still slated to be a Japanese all-you-can-eat BBQ concept from the owners of Kyuramen across the street. The opening of Gyumon has been delayed waiting on delivery of specialty, teppanyaki grills from Japan.
Got news, questions or ideas for this column? Email them to us at Eats@oakparkeats.com.