Roister Closes in Chicago, New Restaurant ‘Fire’ to Open with Tasting Menus
Roister, a casual restaurant in Fulton Market, will close after eight years of operation. Its last day of service is Saturday, November 16. The Alinea Group, which owns Roister, plans to open a new restaurant called Fire on Wednesday, November 20. Fire will feature a tasting menu with seven or eight courses, focusing on open-fire cooking techniques.
Chef Grant Achatz aims to explore the creativity of cooking with fire. He believes fire transforms the taste and aroma of ingredients. The restaurant will also incorporate unconventional cooking methods and use plant scraps from Alinea’s other restaurants.
Fire will accept some walk-ins and maintain a casual atmosphere, similar to Roister. It will also have a patio, offering a unique outdoor dining experience with a tasting menu.
Achatz emphasizes fire as a fundamental tool in cooking. He compares the use of fire to an artist using a brush. Fire will allow the team to experiment and develop dishes that engage all the senses.
How will Chef Grant Achatz’s new restaurant, Fire, incorporate sustainability into its menu?
Interview with Chef Grant Achatz on the Closure of Roister and the Opening of Fire
NewsDirectory3: Thank you for joining us, Chef Achatz. Roister has been a fixture in Fulton Market for eight years. What led to the decision to close the restaurant?
Chef Achatz: Thank you for having me. Closing Roister was a difficult decision, but after careful consideration, we felt it was time for a new direction. While Roister offered a unique take on casual dining, we wanted to pivot and create an experience that allows us to experiment with the elements of cooking in new ways.
NewsDirectory3: What can patrons expect from the new restaurant, Fire?
Chef Achatz: Fire will focus heavily on open-fire cooking techniques, presenting a tasting menu of seven or eight courses. We believe that cooking with fire transforms not only the taste but the aroma of the ingredients, elevating the entire dining experience. Our aim is to explore the creativity that comes with using fire as a fundamental tool in our culinary process.
NewsDirectory3: How will Fire differentiate itself from other Alinea Group restaurants, known for requiring reservations well in advance?
Chef Achatz: While we will continue to offer an exceptional dining experience, Fire will maintain a more casual atmosphere compared to our other restaurants. We’ll have a limited number of walk-in seats available so guests can enjoy a spontaneous dining experience. Plus, there will be a lovely patio for outdoor dining, giving it a relaxed vibe reminiscent of Roister.
NewsDirectory3: You mentioned incorporating unconventional cooking methods and using plant scraps from Alinea’s other restaurants. Could you elaborate on that?
Chef Achatz: Absolutely! Sustainability is important to us, and utilizing plant scraps allows us to minimize waste. We’ll incorporate these ingredients creatively into our dishes, giving them new life and flavor. This approach not only reduces waste but also challenges our team to think outside the box when it comes to flavor profiles and presentation.
NewsDirectory3: After the challenges posed by the pandemic, how significant is this new opening for the Alinea Group?
Chef Achatz: This opening feels like a breath of fresh air for us. Fire is our first venture since the pandemic halted much of the industry, and we’re excited to bring diners a new, immersive experience. This marks a new chapter, and we hope that our patrons will embrace this adventurous culinary journey with us.
NewsDirectory3: Thank you, Chef Achatz. We can’t wait to experience Fire!
Chef Achatz: Thank you! We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone at Fire. See you soon!
Fire will open its doors on Wednesday, November 20, at 951 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607. Reservations can be made via Tock.
Roister was known for its gourmet fried chicken and casual vibe. It was different from other Alinea Group restaurants, which typically require reservations well in advance.
The new Fire restaurant opens its doors for the first time since the pandemic began, marking a fresh start for the Alinea Group. Reservations for Fire can be made through Tock.
Location: Fire, 951 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607. Contact: (312) 789-4896.