Brian Hall

Brisket at Sweet Baby Ray's

Openings

Monday, 4/8: A third location for the 17-sauce barbecue chain Sweet Baby Ray’s Smokehouse, Bourbon & Beer (3478 N. Clark St., 773-975-7427) opened in Wrigleyville.

Tuesday, 4/9: The sweet tooth soother Insomnia Cookies (2260 N. Lincoln Ave., 877-632-6654) has brought its college-town formula (late-night hours + cookies) to the DePaul area.

Morsels

Tixteco (3334 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-639-2993), one letter and four and a half miles from the unrelated Mixteco, opened March 5, also the birthday of the owner who lent her maiden name to the restaurant, Eusebia Tixteco Bustamante. “We focus on making the food right,” says Maricela Bustamante, daughter, helper, and chocoflan maker.

When it opens late this month, Gari Sushi & Asian Bistro (2020 W. Chicago Ave., 773-486-1118) will serve sushi, like the owner Ananya Arshaaudsawahkhul’s other spot, Sakura Fusion in Logan Square. But unlike Sakura, Gari also has a hot kitchen to turn out yakitoro, kushiyaki, and robata items.

The Highland Park spot Benjamin, Wheaton’s Austin BBQ, and Rosebud’s River North venture Bar Umbriago all closed this month. Bar Umbriago, at least, will reopen in May as Centro.

Avec will serve brunch starting May 5, opening at 11 a.m. and serving egg dishes and a Bloody Mary with harissa.