Chef Adair Canacasco Opens Pop-up at Trotter's Space
The Alinea Group is hosting a Mexican tasting menu residency at the historic site of Charlie Trotter's restaurant.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Dining Out
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Chef Adair Canacasco has launched his new pop-up concept, Esmero, at the former Charlie Trotter's location at 816 W. Armitage Ave. in Chicago. The residency features a Mexican tasting menu designed to highlight traditional regional cooking techniques.
Why it matters
The residency serves as a platform for The Alinea Group to support chefs in developing new culinary concepts that could eventually transition into permanent restaurant locations. It also brings new activity to a historic Chicago space that has remained largely dormant since 2012.
The pop-up is located at 816 W. Armitage Ave., a property famously occupied by Charlie Trotter's until its closure in 2012. The current residency centers on a Mexican tasting menu, marking a shift from the building's historical culinary focus.
The players
Adair Canacasco
The chef behind the Esmero pop-up restaurant who previously worked with The Alinea Group for nine years.
The Alinea Group
A prominent restaurant group that manages multiple high-profile dining projects and operates the residency program at the former Charlie Trotter's site.
Charlie Trotter
A celebrated Chicago chef who operated his namesake restaurant at 816 W. Armitage Ave. until 2012.
Dylan Trotter
The partner collaborating with The Alinea Group to facilitate dining experiences at the former site of his father's restaurant.
The details
The Alinea Group is operating the residency in partnership with Dylan Trotter to facilitate limited-run dining experiences. Chef Canacasco draws upon his own heritage to refine these regional dishes, utilizing the space to test market viability for his future restaurant plans.
Timeline
Charlie Trotter closed his namesake restaurant in 2012.
Adair Canacasco left the Alinea Group in summer 2020.
Current date of article publication is October 26, 2026.
Reservations for the current Esmero pop-up close on October 31, 2026.
Charlie Trotter tribute dinner series takes place from November 5-22, 2026.
Culture Shift
The residency reflects a broader trend in the hospitality industry of utilizing short-term pop-ups to test new concepts before committing to long-term leases. It follows the closure of Charlie Trotter's in 2012, adapting a legendary space to meet modern dining expectations.
Chicago diners can visit the pop-up at its Armitage Avenue location through the end of October. Those interested in the historical legacy of the space should note that reservation windows for the upcoming tribute dinner series will open soon.
The takeaway
Chef-driven residencies offer a low-risk environment for culinary talent to experiment with personal heritage and regional techniques. Residents in the area should keep an eye on these pop-ups as they often serve as the incubator for the next generation of permanent local restaurants.
What happens next
The Charlie Trotter tribute dinner series is scheduled for November 5-22, 2026, and will feature a nine-course menu.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the local scene, explore the Chicago Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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