New York’s Lure Fishbar to open in Chicago
New York restaurateurs continue to invade Chicago, as Lure Fishbar, a long-respected member of the Big Apple culinary scene, has designs on the River North space that last housed Primehouse, the restaurant space once helmed by celebrity chef David Burke. Lure originated in New York in 2004 and ownership opened a Miami location in 2013. Co-owner John McDonald said they attract a diverse clientele, but Lure — which serves seafood, sushi, and a beloved burger that evokes West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger — is also a perpetual upscale spot for power lunches in New York’s Soho neighborhood.
Lure hopes to open the Chicago location in late April at 616 N. Rush Street, inside the former James Hotel. The space is now run by 21c Museum Hotels. Not only is Chicago just a convenient flight from New York — just like Miami — but McDonald said it’s a sophisticated dining city that will appreciate Lure.
“People get it — they appreciate quality,” he said. “The pressure is on us to execute what we do here.”
The menu at Lure offers flexibility, McDonald said, as often guests will order a burger and slice it up to share as an appetizer. Some will just order a few pieces of maki, others may opt for items like a steamed red snapper. The raw bar is a big part of Lure, and Chicago will get the same offerings and a few tweaks. McDonald couldn’t share exact menu details for Chicago.
McDonald swears the room won’t be a carbon copy of New York and Miami. The space is a little smaller compared to those restaurants. They’ll have the regular dining room with a 10- to 12-seat sushi bar. Omakase is very popularity in Chicago right now, but there’s no plans for the Japanese-style tasting menus at Lure.