Introduction to Coach House’s Transformation
WICKER PARK — A tasting menu restaurant that helped launch the career of one of Chicago’s most prolific chefs is transitioning to a residency-based model that will offer a different chef-driven concept every few months.
The Final Day of Service
Coach House — located behind the restaurant Lilac Tiger at 1742 W. Division St. — will hold its final day of service under founding chef Zubair Mohajir on Feb. 14.
The Residency Program
But the restaurant isn’t going anywhere. On Feb. 19, chef Junho Lee will bring his contemporary Korean concept Haru Haru to the space, where he will craft different menus over the next few months as the inaugural participant in Coach House’s residency program.
Background of Coach House
Mohajir launched Coach House in 2021. It’s located in a former carriage house behind what was previously Wazwan, Mohajir’s South Asian street food spot that later became Lilac Tiger.
Mohajir’s Career
Since then, Mohajir has become one of Chicago’s best known up-and-coming chefs. With various partners he also opened Mirra in 2024 in Bucktown and Sarima Cafe last year in Wicker Park, and he has appeared on “Top Chef” and “Chopped.”
New Restaurant in Lincoln Park
Mohajir is also working on a new restaurant in Lincoln Park to open this spring that will focus on cuisine spanning from Southern Spain to India and East Asia.
Challenges and Opportunities
Coach House had long faced limitations with its scaled-back kitchen and 140-year-old building, and Mohajir recently realized he was beginning to outgrow the space, he said.
The Residency Program’s Purpose
But instead of closing, he decided to keep the restaurant going by launching the residency program to give less-established chefs a place to cook and grow their brands — a position Mohajir was in just a few years ago when he was doing pop-ups across the city.
Mohajir’s Vision
“I feel like I’ve squeezed every single ounce that I can out of [Coach House], with having two induction burners and an electric oven,” Mohajir said.
The Residency Program’s Structure
The residency program is “for chefs and entrepreneurs that are trying to start their own business and gather some momentum,” he said.
Mohajir’s Background
Mohajir, 41, grew up in India and Qatar before moving to the Chicago area as a middle schooler.
Early Cooking Experience
He often helped his mom cook as a kid when she took catering jobs out of their house, but he ended up working as a banker for several years before getting laid off during the Great Recession. Mohajir then transitioned to restaurants, working at the Pump Room and at cooking jobs in California and elsewhere.
Launch of Coach House
He launched Coach House in 2021 on a temporary basis. It ended up becoming a permanent home for his fine-dining Indian cuisine.
Coach House’s Significance
“It was the first spot that, as a chef, I had a consistent address,” he said. “It was the first Indian tasting menu in Chicago.”
Expansion of Mohajir’s Empire
In 2024, Mohajir followed Coach House with South Asian-Mexican restaurant Mirra. Sarima Cafe, which blends Filipino and Indian flavors across both sweet and savory items, opened last summer near the heart of Wicker Park.
Upcoming Restaurant
His upcoming Lincoln Park restaurant will highlight the cuisine of the “Spice Road” from Southern Europe to East Asia. Mohajir is again collaborating with Coach House chef de cuisine Jacob Dela Cruz on the concept, which will feature a restaurant in the front and a speakeasy in the back.
The Future of Coach House
Coach House is located behind the restaurant Lilac Tiger at 1742 W. Division St. Credit: Provided
Haru Haru’s Residency
Haru Haru’s stay at Coach House will begin in February with a Lunar New Year menu, to be followed by revolving menus through June.
Conclusion
After that, new chefs will set up at the restaurant about every four to six months, Mohajir said. Unlike with many other pop-ups, the chefs will be able to access the resources of an already established restaurant, including front-of-house staff, ordering accounts and marketing.
FAQs
What is the Residency Program at Coach House?
The residency program is a new concept at Coach House where different chefs will take over the restaurant for a few months to showcase their cuisine and grow their brands.
How often will new chefs take over Coach House?
New chefs will take over Coach House every four to six months.
What kind of support will the chefs receive during their residency?
The chefs will have access to the resources of an already established restaurant, including front-of-house staff, ordering accounts, and marketing, and they will be paid as if they were a chef at the restaurant.
