Chickpea

Photo: Martha Williams

THE GOOD SON Jerry Suqi’s previous projects aren’t exactly the kind of places you’d expect to see his mom—or any mom, for that matter—hanging out. Narcisse, La Pomme Rouge and Sugar all had a bit of down-and-dirty nightlife edge to them, so it’s more than a bit of a departure to see Suqi collaborate with his mother, Amni, on his latest venture, Chickpea. “I came from Palestine when I was two and went back when I was 14,” Suqi says. “I distinctly remember grocery-store signs for Coke and movie posters from Robocop and Rambo, all printed with Arabic text, and how that stuck out visually…so I’m re-creating that streetscape here.” And while Suqi handles the decor, Mom lends an authentic hand to the menu, offering up classic kebabs and dips, as well as specialties like sumac-spiced chicken, roasted lamb-stuffed eggplant and savory spinach-onion pie. And get this—no liquor will be served or allowed. Sounds as if somebody got grounded. 2018 W Chicago Ave (773-384-9930).