Nic & Junior’s, from chef Junior Borges, is Now Open | Eater Chicago

"Sleek River North restaurant just east of Wabash between the Chicago River and Hubbard Street occupies a unique glassy building with large windows and an outdoor patio; it opened on May 16 with dinner service first and plans to add lunch later. Two distinct dining rooms offer different vibes: a front room with a bar and a TV for casual cocktails and quick bites like burgers or salads, and a rear room with a chef’s counter serving a modified tasting menu — examples include A5 wagyu picanha and orecchiette with braised octopus — alongside handmade pastas that fuse Italian roots with Brazilian flavors. The team aims for approachable, neighborhood-friendly fine dining rather than formal, pretentious tasting menus, serving items such as a giardiniera made with biquinho peppers paired with mortadella and a nostalgic Beach Grilled Cheese (cheese on a stick drizzled with hot honey). The culinary leadership includes a James Beard Award semifinalist who draws on an Afro-Caribbean, Rio-rooted background and collaborators who sourced hard-to-find Brazilian ingredients and cheeses (queijo coalho, catupiry) in Chicago; the operation emphasizes staff education, local chef connections, and a welcoming atmosphere for both curious diners and sports fans. Open 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 4 p.m.–11 p.m. Friday–Saturday; reservations via Tock." - Ashok Selvam