From a small ghost kitchen concept to a brick-and-mortar, Bloom Vegetarian Kitchen is set to transform into Bloom Plant Based Kitchen as it’s set to open in early July. Though dreamed up years ago, the new spot was born in the pandemic to owner and chef of popular Chicago Latin-eatery, Amaru. Rodolfo Cuadros started operating a portion of his original restaurant as a pop-up ghost kitchen, offering vegetarian cuisine with global flavors under Bloom Vegetarian Kitchen. The concept was so successful, a brand new custom-curated and meat-free menu is awaiting finishing touches ahead of the new plant-based restaurant set to open in Chicago a pebble’s throw away from Amaru in the Wicker Park neighborhood.

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen

Cuadros has been taking steps to consume less meat, eating plant-based at home with his family four days a week. Reaping the benefits of the diet and lifestyle, Amaru—his existing restaurant—offers several vegetarian and vegan options, but Bloom Plant Based Kitchen will be fully plant-based. Working with friend and James Beard-nominated chef Horacio Rivadero, the pair have developed a brand new menu of over 23 food options alongside cocktails.

Affordable Vegan Options in Chicago

Steering away from the tiresome overused offerings at other plant-based establishments, Cuadros and his team are injecting pan-Asian, South Asian, and Latin flavors into each of the unique dishes preparing to hit the menu. Though plant-based cuisine can also be notoriously expensive, Cuadros acknowledges that Bloom will provide affordable vegan options while delivering quality flavor and ingredients. Along with most restaurants across the world, Cuadros's business was hit hard, but the success of Bloom Vegetarian Kitchen helped soften the blow.

Bloom Plant Based Kitchen is set to open in early July at 1559 N Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622. For more information on the opening and the menu, check out the website BloomPB.com or follow Chef Cuadros on Instagram (@ChefCuadros4).

Photo credit: Lori Sapio