Cafe Yaya, From Team Behind Michelin-Starred Galit, Coming To Lincoln Park This Winter
A New Concept from the Team Behind Galit
Sitting down for dinner at Michelin-starred Galit is a singular dining experience. The Lincoln Park restaurant, inspired by the cuisines of Israel and the Middle East and tying them together with Midwestern ingredients, offers a very specific dinner menu that has been celebrated with awards and accolades since it opened in 2019.
The Concept
This winter, the team behind Galit — led by chef Zach Engel and General Manager Andrés Clavero — will flex new culinary muscles with Cafe Yaya, an all-day cafe with pastries, lunch and counter-service coffee at 2431 N. Lincoln Ave., next door to the flagship restaurant.
Room for Creativity and Flexibility
“Since we opened, Galit has evolved so much,” Engel said. “We’ve gotten to a place where we could only do exactly what we were doing, which is the six-course, prix-fixe, choose-your-own-adventure menu, with an extensive Middle Eastern wine list, and dinner only. We’ve cultivated a strong connection with our neighborhood and regulars, but a lot of conversations ended with people saying, ‘We love you guys, but we can’t do the whole thing all the time.’
A New Opportunity for the Team
Engel, who won a James Beard Award for his work at Shaya in New Orleans, wanted to offer the community a complement to Galit that gave him and the staff more flexibility and room for creativity.
“We wanted to give some of them the opportunity to shine,” Engel said of the staff. “For example, chef Mary Eder-McClure, our pastry chef, is incredibly talented, and she and I are on a great creative wavelength. She’s somewhat limited at Galit, so I wanted to give her a chance to show Chicago her talent and creativity.”
Opening and Menu
There’s no definitive timeline for an opening date yet, but the staff is aiming for this winter. Cafe Yaya will offer a selection of morning pastries and an a la carte dinner menu to start. The cafe will expand to serve lunch, brunch, and takeout in the future.
The pastry menu will include treats like savory bourekas, crispy sweet baklava, and challah, and they will be paired with coffee selections from Sparrow Coffee Roastery. The dinner menu will feature elements of French, Jewish, Southern, Middle Eastern, and Midwestern cooking, a reflection of Engel’s travels and upbringing.
Beverage Program
Cafe Yaya’s beverage program, led by Scott Stroemer, will take a different approach from Galit’s well-known Middle Eastern wine focus. Stroemer plans to showcase wines from independent winemakers in often-overlooked regions like Chinon, Sonoma, and parts of South America.
Conclusion
Cafe Yaya will bring a new concept to the Lincoln Park neighborhood, offering a unique blend of pastries, lunch, and counter-service coffee, while providing a space for the team to showcase their creativity and talent. With its focus on community and flexibility, Cafe Yaya is set to become a staple in the neighborhood.
FAQs
* What is the expected opening date for Cafe Yaya?
The staff is aiming for this winter, but no definitive timeline has been set.
* What type of menu will Cafe Yaya offer?
Cafe Yaya will offer a selection of morning pastries and an a la carte dinner menu to start, with plans to expand to serve lunch, brunch, and takeout in the future.
* Will reservations be available?
Yes, reservations can be made for parties of four or more on Resy.
* Is Cafe Yaya a replacement for Galit?
No, Cafe Yaya is a new concept from the same team behind Galit, offering a different type of dining experience.
