A seasonally–driven breakfast, lunch and brunch outpost located in the heart of Chicago's charming Lincoln Park neighborhood, 2Sparrows features the contemporary American comfort fare of Chef/Partner Gregory Ellis, and a service and beverage program overseen by General Manager/Partner Steven Fladung. The two friends grew up together in Chicago's western suburbs, and worked simultaneously — Gregory in the kitchen and Steven in the front of the house — at their esteemed training ground, Charlie Trotter's.

In mythology, it is said that two sparrows pulled the chariot of Aphrodite, considered by the ancient Greeks as the goddess of love and agriculture.

In modern times, 2 Sparrows represents the story of two childhood friends who shared a dream of one day opening a restaurant together. 

An izakaya is a Japanese businessmen’s bar featuring sake, beer and comforting finger foods. Five years ago, you’d rarely find one outside of Japan. In the last two years in Chicago, it seems like hundreds have opened up, yet the current izakaya crop has been mostly made up of unimpressive storefronts serving subpar sushi and watery noodle bowls that barely rate better than Top Ramen. That is until the Slurping Turtle opened its doors in River North.

Slurping Turtle is regaled with towering cinder block walls, white veneer banquettes and Ikebana-like flower arrangements — a feng shui-meets-Russian gulag aesthetic. It is built for a generation that gets its prurient kicks on the Internet.