Fancy Plants Kitchen, a restaurant concept from the team behind Fancy Plants Café, is set to open in Chicago later this summer. This 100% vegan Lincoln Park-area eatery will offer small plates and craft cocktails in both a beautiful patio and indoor dining environment.

The Fancy Plants Kitchen Menu

The Fancy Plants Kitchen menu will be crafted from fresh, local, in-season produce and will showcase the work of Chef Kevin Schuder. Schuder utilizes a variety of culinary techniques—including wok cooking, fermentation, and open-air grilling—to present a mostly small-plates menu. You’ll find daily seasonal dishes as well as specials to highlight local flavors. In addition to craft cocktails to accompany your meal, you can also enjoy fresh juices, kombucha, and local brews.

General manager of Fancy Plants, McKinzie Spence—who has a background as a pastry chef—will develop a pastry and dessert selection to accompany the dinner menu, stressing that the goal of the kitchen is to offer a dining experience for a diverse crowd—from college students out for a light bite to couples enjoying a special dinner with multiple courses and beverage pairings.

Fancy Plants Events

Fancy Plants will continue to offer private events, but on a larger scale than through its Fancy Plants Café, an all-vegan spot in the East Lakeview neighborhood. Some offerings you’ll find on the café’s rotating menu include Smoked Lentil Bolognese Lasagne, Spanakopita, Heirloom Tomato BLT (made with house-smoked tempeh bacon), and a variety of breakfast sandwiches, such as the Cured Smoked Carrot Lox Bagel, Croissant Breakfast Sandwich (JUST Egg, Chao cheese, smoky seitan, and tomato on a house-made croissant), and more.

Other future events offered by Fancy Plants Kitchen will include community wellness classes, cooking demonstrations, and live music, as well as food and beverage pop-ups.

Fancy Plants Kitchen Opening Day

Fancy Plants Kitchen intends to open gradually, beginning by offering dinner service only (Wednesday-Sunday). From there, they will add on lunch and coffee, then transition to a limited number of small events. The soft opening is set for mid-August, with full operations beginning around Labor Day.

Fancy Plants Kitchen is set to open in late summer 2021 and will be located at 1443 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614. Follow @fpkchicago on Instagram for updates.