Coming Soon

Mark Mendez to Open Wine Bar in West Loop

The husband and wife team will run Uva.
The husband and wife team will run Uva. Photo: courtesy The Cook & The Corkscrew

It was a little over a year ago that chef Mark Mendez left Carnivale in the West Loop to “pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant.” That dream is a looking like it will finally come to fruition, as he just announced the details for Uva, a wine bar he is planning to open with his wife, Liz, in the West Loop. The biggest news may be how small it will be. Uva will have 68 seats, which is significantly fewer than the 600 seats that fit into the massive Carnivale. What else can we expect?

Spain seems to be the biggest influence, which makes sense considering that Uva means grape in Spanish. According to Chicago Magazine, the restaurant will have a small-plate menu, and will also serve an “an affordable selection of Spanish and global wines.” Plus, some of those wines will be available on tap. The Tribune reports that Spanish influence will carry over to the food, too. Though the menu isn’t finalized, it will include some tapas standards. No official opening date has been confirmed, though Mendez hopes it will open in the fall.

Uva, 1023 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Frank Brunacci Leaves Sixteen for the Love of Truffles, second item [Chicago Magazine]
Former Carnivale chef Mark Mendez to open West Loop wine bar [Chicago Tribune]

Mark Mendez to Open Wine Bar in West Loop