A new bar, restaurant, and lounge inspired by fancy ski resorts is coming this summer to River North. Chalet, the first solo project from newish restaurant group HiFi Hospitality, aims to offer a vacation of sorts for Chicagoans long grounded by the pandemic with two floors of cabin-tinged decor, seasonal cocktails, and a menu that draws on West Coast cuisine.

You don't have to book a weekend in Wisconsin, Colorado or Switzerland to enjoy a cozy evening of ski resort-inspired dining. At River North restaurant Chalet, executive chef Louie Yu (formerly of Sunda) oversees a menu of comfort food that's meant to warm diners up after a long day on the slopes—or a walk through Chicago on a chilly winter day. What better excuse to eat a smash burger made with a wagyu-bison blend, a hearty charcuterie board or duck confit poutine?

With the city opening back up and people becoming more positive of our future, Chicago’s dining scene has also been pumping and going! Among all the Happy Hours and reopenings, there are actually a few new restaurants in River North we want to point you toward this time! May it be ethnic cuisine or a pampering date with your girlfriend, or even just a quick work lunch, we hope one of these places will become your new favorite!