"Conceived as a cross-genre “cocktail restaurant,” Dearly Beloved is the founders’ defiant culmination of decades in hospitality and is slated to open in early/winter 2024 at 900 N. Franklin Street. Drinks will get top billing: the team says they’ll highlight rare spirits and ingredients in innovative, surprise-driven presentations designed to “blow expectations,” while keeping menu details intentionally under wraps. The 6,000-square-foot space will replace Kiki’s classical bistro styling with a traditional dining area, lounge sections, and a “very large” bar; the design is meant to be dark, chic, and clean, and will include artwork such as a 40-by-10-foot custom sculpture imported from overseas and a soulful music program. The owners position Dearly Beloved as distinct from their past concepts—“this isn’t an arcade bar, this isn’t Machine”—and as something they believe Chicago doesn’t yet have." - Naomi Waxman