Junior Borges and his team will launch Nic & Junior’s, set to open in Chicago’s River North neighborhood this March at 405 N. Wabash.
Hailing from Dallas, Borges is the former Executive Chef of Meridian which earned him a James Beard Foundation Award nomination in 2023 as a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef. He now serves as Chef Partner for Austin-based Excelsior Hospitality, overseeing the kitchens at the group’s Northern Italian restaurant Juniper and the casual Italian concept Uncle Nicky’s. Nic & Junior’s will mark Borges' first restaurant as both Chef and Owner, a venture he’s pursuing with longtime friend Nicholas Yanes, owner of the Excelsior Hospitality group. Yanes is native to Austin and moved to Chicago in 2020 where he has developed roots in the area and local dining community.
Nic & Junior’s will offer a contemporary dining experience that reflects the type of food that Borges loves to both cook and eat. The menu will feature a variety of global influences - among them, the cuisines of Italy and Brazil. From house-made pasta and modern Brazilian dishes, to one-bite snacks and seasonally prepared dishes, the menu will be a celebration of both Borges’ Brazilian heritage and culinary background presented.
The restaurant will set two culinary stages for guests. At the front, the restaurant will feature a casual bar area where guests can select from an a la carte menu with a selection of dishes including snacks, simple house-made pastas, and a raw bar. The 30-seat dining room at the back of the restaurant will present a six-course prix fixe menu nightly, complemented by a curated cocktail and wine pairing experience.
The beverage program at Nic & Junior’s will be led by mixologist Travis Tober.
Junior Borges and his team will launch Nic & Junior’s, set to open in Chicago’s River North neighborhood this March at 405 N. Wabash.
Hailing from Dallas, Borges is the former Executive Chef of Meridian which earned him a James Beard Foundation Award nomination in 2023 as a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef. He now serves as Chef Partner for Austin-based Excelsior Hospitality, overseeing the kitchens at the group’s Northern Italian restaurant Juniper and the casual Italian concept Uncle Nicky’s. Nic & Junior’s will mark Borges' first restaurant as both Chef and Owner, a venture he’s pursuing with longtime friend Nicholas Yanes, owner of the Excelsior Hospitality group. Yanes is native to Austin and moved to Chicago in 2020 where he has developed roots in the area and local dining community.
Nic & Junior’s will offer a contemporary dining experience that reflects the type of food that Borges loves to both cook and eat. The menu will feature a variety of global influences - among them, the cuisines of Italy and Brazil. From house-made pasta and modern Brazilian dishes, to one-bite snacks and seasonally prepared dishes, the menu will be a celebration of both Borges’ Brazilian heritage and culinary background presented.
The restaurant will set two culinary stages for guests. At the front, the restaurant will feature a casual bar area where guests can select from an a la carte menu with a selection of dishes including snacks, simple house-made pastas, and a raw bar. The 30-seat dining room at the back of the restaurant will present a six-course prix fixe menu nightly, complemented by a curated cocktail and wine pairing experience.
The beverage program at Nic & Junior’s will be led by mixologist Travis Tober.
Comments
View Comments (0 )
Never miss an eat.
Sign up for breaking news from the Chicago food scene.
Follow Us
Recommended Articles
Like us on Facebook for exclusive news and pictures from the Chicago Food Scene!