Black Briar, a new restaurant project from chef Jimmy Papadopoulos, is set to move into the former Bar Takito space at 201 N Morgan in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Crews have been spotted working inside this week, and nearby restaurant folks say the construction signals yet another changing of the guard on the stretch just west of the Kennedy. For Papadopoulos, it marks a return to the West Loop dining scene after some time away.
According to What Now Chicago, Papadopoulos said the team is eyeing an opening "sometime this summer" and that he has partnered with Tim Anderson, the former general manager at Bellemore. The outlet reports construction is already underway, notes that Papadopoulos has been largely out of the local spotlight for roughly five years, and confirms he is returning to the neighborhood this time as an owner. The restaurant has also launched an Instagram account under the handle @blackbriarchi, per the report.
Chef’s resume and reputation
Papadopoulos first drew attention at Bohemian House and later opened Bellemore with Boka Restaurant Group, earning a reputation for refined, playful menus and a stack of local accolades. His earlier career milestones and awards are laid out in a profile from StarChefs that follows his rise through Chicago kitchens. Eater Chicago’s coverage of Bellemore’s debut and its impact on Randolph Street helps explain why his comeback in this corner of the city is getting extra buzz.
Space, neighbors, and timeline
The 201 N Morgan address previously housed Bar Takito, and local listings place it between spots such as Gaijin Okonomiyaki and Tapicozza West Loop. Time Out identifies Bar Takito at that location and highlights its Latin-inspired menu, while the visible build-out activity lines up with the construction timeline described by local outlets. The space sits close to the Morgan Green Line stop and the busy Randolph restaurant corridor, a pairing that What Now Chicago notes makes this turnover especially interesting for West Loop diners.
What to watch
Papadopoulos has said the team plans to share build-out progress and, eventually, menu details before locking in a firm opening date, with social media likely serving as the first place for sneak peeks. For now, Black Briar joins a growing roster of West Loop and Fulton Market projects that are poised to reshape where and how the neighborhood eats in the months ahead.
