Renowned Restaurant Boltwood Closes In Downtown Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — After nearly five years in downtown Evanston, Boltwood has permanently closed. Opened by Evanston Township High School graduate Brian Huston and named after the school's freshman wing, the family-run former restaurant at 804 Davis St. focused on locally sourced seasonable ingredients. It announced the closure on social media on Thursday.

"With heavy hearts we share the news that we have closed our doors for good," it said. "It was an honor and pleasure to bring our love, through our cuisine and service, to the Evanston community."

Huston was previously the first head chef of The Publican in Chicago after cooking at Blackbird and Avec, also owned by Paul Kahan's One Off Hospitality.

After opening Boltwood in his hometown, Huston was a named 2015 semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef: Great Lakes region award.

In its four years and seven months of operations, the market-driven restaurant earned praise from critics and made several lists of top Chicago area restaurants.

Huston's wife and Boltwood partner Chrissy Prieto said the restaurant is shuttering after they decided not to renew its lease on its Davis Street space, according to Eater Chicago, which was first to report its closing.

Boltwood opened in June 2014 in the former location of Chinese restaurant Lulu's Dim & Then Sum, which reopened at 1026 Davis Street the following year.