Max’s Wine Dive Planning New Wicker Park Location

Those who enjoy gourmet comfort food while sitting in a space more reminiscent of their favorite dive bar are in luck, because Max’s Wine Dive has officially snagged a high-trafficked storefront in Chicago.

The new bar and restaurant is moving into the former Covo space in Wicker Park, sitting at 1482 N. Milwaukee Ave. It’ll join nine other Max’s Wine Dives throughout the country, with others currently under development in cities like Atlanta and Denver.

“The inspiration for MAX’s Wine Dive came after realizing that while we (owners Jerry and Laura Lasco) loved trying out fancy new restaurants, the places we enjoyed hanging out at most were laid-back dives that were unpretentious and comfortable,” wrote the owners on their website.

Max’s plans to combine the funky, casual and industrial feel with a high-end food and wine program. According to the restaurant’s website, the menu plans to have two pages: one for classic dishes, and the other full of seasonal and location-specific favorites crafted by the chef.

And with a menu mantra like, “Fried Chicken and Champagne?... Why the Hell Not?!” the team behind Max’s Wine Dive is all about finer foods “without the stodginess that often accompanies a ‘fine dining’ experience.”

The restaurant is hoping to be open in the summer of 2014.