Reza’s Restaurant, which has been a fixture in Andersonville for 27 years at 5255 N. Clark, will open a new space that will feature the same Persian and Mediterranean cuisine but in a more modern setting complete with a self-pour, high-tech tap room with your favorite local craft beers.

The new location will open in the old Pete Miller’s space at 1557 Sherman Ave. in Evanston. With an Oak Brook restaurant as well, this will be the third location for the business.

The Evanston eatery will be a bit of a departure from the elegant vibe found in the existing locations. There is a more modern feel and a vibrant color scheme. One side of the restaurant will have a dining area complete with a black baby grand piano while the other half will feature a tap room and bar with its own mixologist.

The restaurant will be managed by Ryan Toulabi, the son of the company’s founder. The inside is very open, spacious and filled with colorful artwork. The polished black piano adds elegant but casual ambiance that could potentially bring in future cabaret acts.

The dining room menu will be similar to the other Reza’s Restaurants and focus on presentation. The tap room menu will be geared towards a more casual diner with plenty of quick, quality items including appetizers.

But what makes the tap room truly unique is a half million self-pour tap system that will offer 30 different craft beers including Temperance, Smylie Brothers, and Sketchbook. The high-tech wall is operated by a computerized touchscreen that enables faster, more efficient access to beverages by allowing consumers to pour their own brews. Customers get a card at the bar to purchase beer by the ounce.

“The new restaurant is the same owners and will have the same food, delivery and catering as the other Reza’s Restaurants but it will have a more artistic modern touch.” Toulabi added. “However, we are able to implement on the tap room side a more quick bites menu and a grab-and-go case where people can get the best quality, pre-made food fast. I think that concept along with the pour-your-own-beer wall will be popular with nearby NorthWestern University.”

Evanston reminds Toulabi of the tight-knit community found in Andersonville. Both host a wide range of dining options and he feels the new Reza’s Restaurant will provide the Northern suburbs a different experience.

“People come to the restaurant and they know my Dad, they know me,” said Toulabi. “You become a part of the neighborhood and we are very connected. Like Andersonville, Evanston is a very vibrant, accepting and beautiful community. I’m looking forward to our friends in Andersonville coming to support us at the new space as well.”

The hours will be similar to the other restaurants, however the tap room will be open later until 2 a.m. They plan to offer a lunchtime buffet and valet parking after 4 p.m. Toulabi hopes to open by the end of March.