According to a recent permit filing, Nic & Junior’s in the River North neighborhood at 405 N Wabash Avenue.
“I’m thrilled to announce that I’m collaborating with James Beard Foundation Award nominee Junior Borges and his talented team on the launch of Nic & Junior’s, set to open in Chicago’s River North neighborhood this March at 405 N. Wabash,” a Nic & Junior’s representative states in a press release sent to What Now Chicago.
“Hailing from Dallas, Borges is the former Executive Chef of Meridian, the country’s first modern Brazilian fine dining restaurant, which earned him a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award nomination in 2023 as a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef. He now serves as Chef Partner for Austin-based Excelsior Hospitality, overseeing the kitchens at the group’s critically acclaimed Northern Italian restaurant Juniper and the locally beloved casual Italian concept Uncle Nicky’s.”
“Nic & Junior’s will mark Borges’ first restaurant as both Chef and Owner, a proud venture he’s pursuing with longtime friend Nicholas Yanes, owner of the Excelsior Hospitality group. Yanes is native to Austin and moved to Chicago in 2020 where he has developed strong roots in the area and local dining community. Together, they’re bringing their vision of hospitality and cuisine to Chicago with Nic & Junior’s, and they couldn’t be more excited to join the city’s world-class dining scene.”
“Nic & Junior’s will offer one-of-a-kind hospitality and a contemporary dining experience that reflects the type of food that Borges loves to both cook and eat. The menu will feature a variety of global influences – among them, the diverse cuisines of Italy and Brazil.”
“From house-made pasta and modern Brazilian dishes to whimsical one-bite snacks and artful seasonally prepared dishes, the menu will be a celebration of both Borges’ rich Brazilian heritage and impressive culinary background presented with a playful and forward-thinking aesthetic.”
“The restaurant will set two distinctive culinary stages for guests. At the front, the restaurant will feature a moody yet lively, casual bar area where guests can enjoy an a la carte menu with an amusing selection of dishes including fun snacks, simple house-made pastas, and an exceptional raw bar.”
“The intimate 30-seat dining room at the back of the restaurant will serve as Borges’ culinary playground, where he’ll present an imaginative six-course prix fixe menu nightly, complemented by a curated cocktail and wine pairing experience.”
“Equally exciting is the beverage program at Nic & Junior’s, which will be led by award-winning mixologist Travis Tober. With over 25 years of experience and a reputation for national-level creativity, including his award-winning work as Owner of Austin’s nationally acclaimed Nickel City, Tober will bring his expertise to create a beverage experience that matches the restaurant’s high standards.”
