ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 2 - Spring

Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY GALDONES PHOTOGRAPHY P ilsen has long been known as the city's most vibrant Hispanic neighborhood, but before the arrival of its eclectic taquerias and art galleries, the South Side district was home to the second-largest Czech population outside of Bohemia. The area's social and politi- cal hub? The majestic Thalia Hall, built by Czech immigrant John Dusek in 1892, which housed Dusek's family tavern as well as a breath- taking theater modeled after the Prague Opera House. Inspired by the building's storied past, partners Bruce Finkelman and Craig Golden of Longman & Eagle set out to restore the long- abandoned property to its former glory. "We had no choice but to go ahead and do it," con- fesses Finkelman. "What John Dusek did there is just in line with our sensibilities as business owners and people." So was born Dusek's Board & Beer—or rather reborn, as the front sign read- ing R E-ESTABLISHED 2013 testifies. Thanks to its welcoming vibe and acclaimed menu from chef Jared Wentworth, the resurrected tavern (along with its subterranean Punch House and the soon-to-open performance space Thalia Hall), Southern Exposure THE TEAM BEHIND LONGMAN & EAGLE BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO PILSEN'S HISTORIC THALIA HALL WITH UPSCALE TAVERN CONCEPT DUSEK'S BOARD & BEER. BY CATHERINE DE ORIO continued on page 78 Set in Pilsen's historic Thalia Hall, Dusek's serves elevated tavern fare like (BELOW) lobster rolls, oysters, and mussels. 76 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM THIS ISSUE: TAVERN CHIC 076-080_MA_Taste_SMD_Spring_14.indd 76 2/11/14 4:16 PM

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