Find Butter Chicken-Stuffed Empanadas at River North's Neighborhood Newcomer

"River North is no stranger to splashy openings, but restaurateur Kirtan Gandhi wants his new project to stand apart as a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a scene-y hangout. On Wednesday, September 10, he'll debut Íla's, a restaurant and bar that blends global flavors with American comfort, built on a foundation of warmth and community. The menu, developed with chef John Tarcak, includes about 25 dishes, organized into appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees, plus a few desserts."

""A lot of the food reflects our staff," Gandhi says. "We have confit pork cheek lumpia for one of our Filipino staff members. We have birria pierogi for one of our Polish staff members. Even the empanadas - we're doing butter chicken and serving it with chimichurri ranch." Gandhi also points to paneer kebabs with a sweet chile glaze and sweet corn agnolotti in a cornbread foam sauce as some of his favorites."

Íla's will open in River North as a neighborhood restaurant and bar focused on warmth and community rather than a scene-driven hangout. Restaurateur Kirtan Gandhi developed the concept with chef John Tarcak and a menu of about 25 dishes across appetizers, sandwiches, and entrees. Many dishes reflect staff heritage, including confit pork cheek lumpia, birria pierogi, and butter-chicken empanadas, alongside paneer kebabs and sweet corn agnolotti. Classic American items receive global upgrades, such as a Mahón-and-romesco grilled cheese, a burger with oxtail marmalade, and Italian beef with braised short rib. The beverage program highlights international cocktails, tequila, Japanese whisky, Mexican spirits, a diverse wine list, and six beer taps.

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