International Restaurant At Former Paddy O'Splaines To Open in the Fall

Owners behind the new restaurant at the shuttered Paddy O'Splaines have announced not only a name, but a chef for the location. 

New owners Jesse Boyle and his business partner Pat Doerr kept mum about the name and chef when speaking to residents in February, but said their new venture would be an international-themed sports bar and restaurant. The two are joined by Boyle’s family and another partner, Jim Cornelison, who sings the National Anthem for the Chicago Blackhawks.

According to a statement, Grand Tour will open in mid-to-late fall at 2434 W. Montrose Ave. 

Boyle and Doerr hosted a meeting to ease residents’ concerns after a rocky reputation left by the former business, Paddy O’Splaines.

“To say that we are concerned about the crowd is an understatement,” resident Susan Pope said in February. “It was so bad that it was a joke in our development… It was a disaster.” 

Boyle and Doerr reassured neighbors they wanted the restaurant to be an asset to the community and “offer a product that’s unrivaled in the area.” There will be no dancing, DJs or club promoters, they stressed.

“Whenever you’ve had a history of a building that was something that hasn’t gone well, you’d be concerned no matter who the future owner is,” Doerr responded. “We’ve got to nail the food right out of the gate—food and service.” 

As for the kitchen, those sad to see Lake View’s Socca close are in luck: the longtime chef behind the neighborhood favorite is joining forces with Boyle.

Roger Herring, who ran Socca for nearly 10 years, just signed on to lead the kitchen, according to a release from the owners. 

While a new menu is not yet available, Boyle told Eater Chicago he thinks Herring’s experience cooking cuisine from France to South Africa and Malaysia will be a good fit for Grand Tour.

The restaurant will have an international theme, with worldly fare and craft beer. Fans of soccer and rugby can come to see overseas broadcasts, Boyle said. 

"The name is derived from the educational rite of passage beginning in the mid-1600s, which included the exploration of art, music and other aspects of international culture," Grand Tour said in a statement. "The intent with Grand Tour is to provide Chicagoans the opportunity to experience such international fascinations through cuisine, beverage offerings, music, sports (focusing on soccer and rugby) and ultimately, the experience in itself."

That’s combined with live music and upscale décor in the 7,000-square-foot space.