LATIN-AMERICAN RESTAURANT LIBERTAD IS OPEN IN WICKER PARK
Beloved Skokie restaurant, Libertad, makes its first foray into Chicago, opening its doors in the heart of Wicker Park to serve locally-sourced Latin-American cuisine with a community-centric approach
Libertad
Libertad, Skokie’s beloved neighborhood restaurant since 2011, opened their second location in the Wicker Park neighborhood on February 12th. The casual community-focused concept is helmed by owner/operator Marcos Rivera, a Chicago industry vet since 1985, who draws inspiration from his family’s history as longtime owners of the Las Palmas franchise, alongside Rivera’s own travels to craft an elevated, yet approachable lineup of traditional Latin-American share plates. Situated at 1835 W. North Ave, Wicker Park’s Libertad is based in the original building of the neighborhood’s Las Palmas location, Rivera’s first ever concept.
Marcos Rivera earned his stripes in the kitchens of his family’s Las Palmas, working his way through the ranks before opening up Wicker Park’s Las Palmas in 2001. As a young owner/operator he began experimenting with the dishes, adding his own creative flourishes to the contemporary Mexican menu. Rivera eventually launched his own Skokie concept, Libertad, in 2011 which has since become a pillar of the suburban dining scene, as an accessible, vibrant, family-focused neighborhood spot. As Rivera returns to Chicago alongside business partner and childhood friend Roberto Maso and Rivera’s wife, Leonella Rivera, the team seeks to create the same welcoming environment established in Skokie for the Wicker Park neighborhood.
Libertad’s seasonal menu is designed to be shared, embracing Latin-America’s culinary traditions of communal dining. Rivera will bring fan-favorites from the Skokie menu, including Veneras (pan-seared scallops, “forbidden rice”, yuzu-habanero butter sauce, yardlong beans) and Asada (grilled skirt steak, chipotle chèvre, yucca frites, chimichurri) as well as introduce new dishes to the Wicker Park location. The restaurant will be open for lunch, brunch and dinner, providing an all-day gathering space for guests. Standing at the helm of Libertad’s kitchen is Chef Armando Gonzales who has worked in the kitchens of Chicago’s most well regarded Latin-American concepts including Mas and Amerikas. Together Chef Armando and Rivera will curate Libertad’s lineup of locally-sourced seasonal small plates, working with nearby farms including Mick Klug Farms, Spence Farms, Three Sisters Garden and more throughout the year.
The beverage menu at Libertad is equally engrained within the city, with mixologist Ziyad Asrar creating the team’s beverage list. Asrar has been a beacon within Chicago’s cocktail scene, previously working as the beverage director for La Sirena Clandestina and later crafting the city’s Apologue liqueur company, whose spirits are integrated into Libertad’s menu. The cocktail list will consist of Latin-inspired spins on contemporary classics including the Libertad Old Fashioned, made with reposado tequila and mezcal, and finished with mole bitters.
Set in the original Las Palmas location, Libertad will never forget its roots, incorporating a variety of design elements from the original space. Art installations such as the framed Frida Kahlo portrait above the bar have followed Rivera in his travels and many of the murals are markers from the building’s time as Las Palmas, including the alcove of the Virgin Mary painted by Chicago artist Laura Gomel. The Libertad team also worked with Rahmaan Statik, a well-known Chicago street artist to curate the building’s exterior and patio murals, furthering the restaurant’s dedication to providing a space for the city’s artists to engage with the local community. The space itself is made to be enjoyed year-round featuring both a cozy fireplace and a spacious glassed-in atrium. Designed to feel organic, Libertad will incorporate plants and lighter colors to create a breezy, lighthearted atmosphere for the restaurant.
For more information visit www.libertad7931.com or follow along at @libertad7931 on Instagram.
