After a year and a half in the making, Little Lark, the latest project from Meadowlark Hospitality, has opened its doors. The restaurant, which anchors Guild Row, the co-working space and social club in Avondale, serves pizzas, sandwiches, small plates, and easy-drinking cocktails in a casual setting with a spacious patio.
The new spot grew out of a partnership between Meadowlark restaurateur Steve Lewis and Guild Row founders Jim Lasko and Elyse Agnello.
“They have a big pop-up type kitchen, and a big courtyard that they always thought was underutilized,” Lewis says. “Really, they reached out to me, and we started talking. The synergies between how we both approach community and hospitality really aligned. And then we decided that we wanted to open another restaurant.”
The Meadowlark team transformed what was formerly known as Guild Row’s Avondale Room for the restaurant’s dining space. At the heart of the kitchen is a Fiero pizza oven from Italy that churns out neo-Neapolitan pies. Chef Will Conner, who was most recently chef de cuisine at Elina’s, has created a lineup of artisan pizzas made with a sourdough starter. Guests can expect classic choices like margherita and pepperoni, plus pies topped with ‘nduja and salumi from Lardon, Meadowlark’s Logan Square restaurant and butcher shop.
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Beyond that, the menu includes Roman-style sandwiches served on focaccia, available for weekend lunch, and a selection of starters and salads. On Mondays, Little Lark is also offering pinsas — airy Roman–style flatbreads similar to pizza but made with lower-gluten dough that’s easier to digest.
“At the end of the day, we’re just going to be making really good wood-fired pizzas,” Lewis says. “We want to keep it simple … just do a handful of things really, really well.”
The beverage program highlights light and crushable cocktails, with summer sippers like a spicy peach spritz and a limoncello margarita on offer at the moment. They’re rounded out with a tight roster of beers and wines — including natural options — by the glass or bottle.
On the design side, the main dining room preserves Guild Row’s industrial character with high ceilings, exposed brick, and garage doors that open onto a courtyard. When the weather’s warm, diners will want to flock to the patio, which seats 70 to 75 and features its own dedicated bar.
The patio is perfect for summer. Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Garage-style doors open up to let in fresh air. Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Lewis hopes Little Lark will be a fun, welcoming hub that amplifies the community vibe at Guild Row — a neighborhood spot where folks can drop in anytime for a bite or drink. And he’s excited to join Avondale’s expanding food scene, alongside established staples like Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Thattu, and Eden.
Check out more photos of Little Lark’s offerings below.
Little Lark, 3132 N. Rockwell Street. Open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Chris Peters/Eater Chicago
Dining and Cooking