Roister, A New, Informal Restaurant From The Alinea Team, Opens Friday

On Friday, April 1, Chicago's Alinea Group — the hospitality group behind Alinea, Next, and the Aviary — opens its newest restaurant, Roister.

The crux of the restaurant, whose name means "to enjoy and celebrate in a boisterous manner," will be its very specific layout, which puts the dining room and the kitchen in the same space.

Andrew Brochu, formerly head chef of the Aviary, will be in charge of the kitchen, and will offer both à la carte options and a tasting menu.

In a post on Medium, owner Nick Kokonas detailed the core ideas behind Roister, a more casual restaurant than the typical fine dining operation his team is known for. "This restaurant is unlike anything we have done before," Kokonas promised.

In addition to a main, "serpentine dining 'bar,'" a second kitchen and dining area will occupy the restaurant's basement. The food, accessibly priced "but not inexpensive," will be "rustic though refined," and chefs will double as servers.

Walk-ins are welcome.