A new concept is coming to West Town from local chefs inspired by North Spanish flavors.
Local chef Jeremy Leven is getting ready to open up a new restaurant called Gilda with Basque-inspired dishes in the neighborhood, per an article from Block Club Chicago. It will be built at the former Chi-Latin location, 1421 W Chicago Avenue. Leven told What Now Chicago he is hoping to debut the new concept on May 1.
Leven is working with Rafael Esparza and chef Anthony Baier to open Gilda. Before arriving at Gilda, Leven has been an executive chef for various projects around the city including Mfk, a Spanish restaurant at 432 W Diversey Parkway in Lakeview. Esparza has also worked in kitchens in the area such as Momotaro Japanese restaurant at 820 W Lake Street.
Spending time in the Saint Sebastian region of Spain, Leven was inspired by the cuisine, calling it a “community vibe of cooking, and delicious little bites of food.” The menu will feature Basque-inspired dishes with Chicago-twists, like their Malort grilled cheese, and pintxos snacks eaten in Spanish bars. The full menu is still being constructed and will be released at a later date.
Gilda is coming to the Noble Square area of West Town, close to Cafe Central at N Bishop Street. Staff of Chi-Latin announced in December that the business was officially closing down, thanking the support of the community.
“We were really enamored with this stretch of Chicago Ave which is such a hub of independent restaurants,” Leven said. He added this was within his and his team’s budget.
The owners officially found their brick-and-mortar location on Jan. 16, in a social media post that showcased the space featuring an inside bar. Renovations will be happening now until the opening.
For more information on Gilda and the opening date, visit their Instagram @gildachicago.
