“Chef Erling Wu-Bower is making his return to the Chicago food scene with a new restaurant focusing on “personal cuisine” dedicated to his roots.
“Wu-Bower, a James Beard Award finalist, is known for his work at Chicago’s Publican, Avec, Nico Osteria and Pacific Standard Time, which was recognized as one of the best new restaurants in America by Eater in 2018.
“Wu-Bower served as chef-owner at Pacific Standard Time for three years before he and his business partner, Josh Tilden, parted ways with the restaurant’s hospitality group in 2020. At the time, Wu-Bower told the Tribune he was going ‘to lay low, be a father, do stuff around the house.’ He alluded to future plans, but he didn’t reveal much more. Until now.
“This winter, Wu-Bower will open Maxwells Trading in partnership with Tilden and The Roof Crop, a company that builds and maintains urban rooftop farms across the city.
“Named after the chef’s oldest son, the restaurant is nestled amid industrial warehouses at 1516 W. Carroll Ave. in the West Loop. It’s a different feel than Fulton Market’s restaurant row, where Wu-Bower garnered much of his experience — and that’s the point.
“‘It’s easy to kind of weave into the story. My career has been made in that neighborhood for the most part … just kind of stepping over Ogden [Avenue] seemed like the right thing to do,’ Wu-Bower said.
“Maxwells Trading will have 100 seats between the bar and the dining room, with a private dining space on the second floor and a farm on the roof, complete with three greenhouses. A first-floor retail space run by The Roof Crop will be a mix of apothecary and flower shop. The Roof Crop will also manage the rooftop farm, which will grow flowers and produce for the restaurant. (Mercado, Block Club Chicago, 11/15/23)