Openings Wed Oct 21 2009

A New Pitchfork in Town

Not to be confused with the popular music review and news site, Pitchfork Food & Saloon opens this weekend, starting with an open house Thursday night from 6pm to 8pm. A drive past the restaurant last night confirmed that workers are scrambling to finish the space, but a peek in the windows revealed what you might expect from the owners of Waterhouse, Rebel and Blue Light: exposed brick, tall wooden chairs and lots of wood trim. Standard pub, with a pretty standard menu of burgers, wings and the like, but a fine addition to a neighborhood beginning to gentrify as young families move west from Lakeview.

But back to the name. Time Out's Julia Kramer was amused to find out the manager had never heard of Pitchfork the website, previously the biggest pitchfork in Chicago until they moved to New York. [Edit: Pitchfork's headquarters remain in Chicago; the New York branch is a second office.] This gained them derision from the likes of Idolator, but fortunately they're not alone: Alderman Dick Mell sent out an email announcing the restaurant's open house and sending folks to Pitchfork.com (the full email is posted after the jump.) PitchFork Saloon's website is, for the record PitchforkChicago.com.

Subject: [Alert] Grand Opening of a New 33rd Ward Business

Dear 33rd Ward Resident,

As a sign that local business economic conditions may be easing a little, I'm happy to announce the Grand Opening of PitchFork, a new restaurant & bar at 2922 W. Irving Park.

On next Thursday, October 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PitchFork will have a hosted bar with free food samplings for our residents to get acquainted with the 33rd Ward's newest business enterprise. Their website should be up and running soon at http://www.pitchfork.com.

Sincerely yours,

Alderman Richard F. Mell

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)