Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The only place that could rival Hopleaf is another Hopleaf

(Crain’s) — A plan by the owners of Michael & Louise's Hopleaf Bar to open another tavern next door in Andersonville has collapsed after a Northwest Side bank pulled out of the deal.

Michael Roper, co-owner of the trendy Hopleaf at 5148 N. Clark St., says he would have paid more than $1 million for the building next door, now the home of Italian eatery La Donna Restaurant, which plans to move to Edgewater.

Mr. Roper says he still hopes to buy the two-story building, 5146 N. Clark St. His plan is to open a tavern that would serve Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and offer a beer selection that would rival the more than 150 varieties served at Hopleaf, which opened in 1992 and is known for its Belgian fare, such as mussels and frites.

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