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"It’s taken a long time for Sam Engelhardt to open his own restaurant, but he’s finally ready. Engelhardt, an industry veteran who worked as the opening chef de cuisine at West Loop’s ever-popular Au Cheval, plans to debut En Passant in late spring or early summer at 3010 W. Diversey Avenue, near the Logan Square and Avondale border. The name for the restaurant comes from chess, as Engelhardt has played the game since he was 12. It’s French for “in passing,” and a reference to a rare move. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant will be a 40-seater with hopes for a six-seat chef’s counter if there’s room. There’s also a seven-seat bar. Imagine a comfy spot surrounded with dark woods. Engelhardt may go the way of a casino. Those spaces don’t have clocks in the hopes gamblers will stay at their tables longer without a sense of time. En Passant’s motivations aren’t that nefarious as Engelhardt wants customers to be immersed while enjoying timeless old-world classics." - Ashok Selvam