The once iconic Charlie Trotter's restaurant, a Chicago culinary landmark that closed its doors in 2012, is experiencing a rebirth of sorts with a series of pop-ups orchestrated by Dylan Trotter, son of the late Charlie Trotter. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the pop-ups are the prelude to a larger plan to resurrect the storied restaurant and continue the Trotter legacy, attracting a new generation of diners.
Interest in the pop-up series is high, with Dylan Trotter teaming up with Alinea's Grant Achatz, himself a Charlie Trotter alum, seats for the dining experience ran at a steep $335 per head, and extensions were added to accommodate the demand. Per the Chicago Eater, the event, initially set for two weeks, has been extended through February 9.
Returning to the original address at 816 W. Armitage Ave., where the elder Trotter reshaped fine dining, Dylan told the Chicago Sun-Times that the "younger generation should look back at history and see: How did we get to where we are now?" The pop-ups are also paving the way for the anticipated relaunch of the restaurant, though specifics on what it will look like have yet to be revealed, with Dylan Trotter stating he is still figuring out how to incorporate his own identity into the project.
Despite the closures and controversies that once surrounded Charlie Trotter's, the newer iterations and pop-ups curated by Dylan Trotter have been met with eagerness from both long-time fans and newer enthusiasts keen to experience the culinary institution revived in the very same space. As detailed in an interview with the Chicago Eater, Dylan envisages a future restaurant that's more of a neighborhood spot yet fully respectful of his father's profound legacy in the world of gourmet cuisine.
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