Vela Brings Mexico City-Inspired Eats To River North

The dining room at Vela

River North’s dining scene now has a bit of Mexico City flair. Launched by Celeste Group founders (Celeste, Michelin-starred Porto and Beatnik on The River), Vela offers authentic, traditional dishes inspired by Mexico’s capital city and a thoughtful lineup of emerging and well-known Mexican spirits.

Explains Nader Hindo, “Vela’s atmosphere is an inviting blend of immersive design and vibrant materials and colors, creating a dynamic, comfortable space that offers the warmth and familiarity of a neighborhood locale you’ll want to visit often.”

Vela’s wagyu “Tabla de Carnes”

The eatery nixtamalizes (soaks and cooks maize in an alkaline solution) Mexican heirloom corn in-house to create hand-pressed tortillas and crafts housemade masa, adding an authentic touch to the dining experience.

With a kitchen helmed by chef Jorge Angulo, offerings blend traditional recipes with innovative twists like the restaurant’s unique mole madre. Like a sourdough mother, this continuously evolving sauce base enhances dishes like the Castacán-style tender pork belly, finished with peppery micro nasturtium and pickled gooseberries.

Vela’s tuna tostada

“Guests can expect to step into Mexico City with a menu showcasing the cultural blend of one of the world’s largest and most vibrant cities, with dishes inspired by generations of family recipes from executive chef Jorge Angulo to inventive agave cocktails showcasing a range of modern and classic flavors,” Nader says.

Vela also features traditional Mexican street food, such as tlacoyo. This masa-based dish is a Mexico City staple, typically stuffed with beans, cheese and other ingredients before being griddled. The tlacoyo is elevated at Vela with three distinct mushrooms, an umami-rich salsa negra and a bright avocado salsa verde.

Vela's Pulparindo cocktail

The beverage program at Vela offers a thoughtful selection of emerging and well-known Mexican spirits, plus agave-driven spirits like tequila, mezcal, raicilla and sotol, which are chosen for their diverse flavors. Additionally, Vela features Mexican whiskeys and a creative cocktail menu inspired by beloved classics. The spot’s wine list takes a global approach, featuring international and domestic selections highlighting celebrated varietals.

Sums up Nader, “We’re excited for the future as we plan collaborations with our friends in Mexico City, creating unique experiences that blend CDMX’s vibrant culture with Chicago’s hospitality and mindset.”

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