Lend Us Your Ears: The Bedford, Wicker Park’s newest neighborhood haunt, debuts tonight in the old MB Financial Bank building.

Give Credit: Co-owner Salita Development repurposed gems from the 1920s bank (think old safety deposit boxes as wall art, midcentury modern furniture, fireplaces, and local photography).

Cooking the Books: Mark Steuer (The Gage, HotChocolate) takes cues from his Southern roots for dishes like duck with locally ground grits, mussels (Schlitz, chili, crusty bread), and scallops (fried egg yolk, roasted mushroom puree).

Liquid Assets: Pete Gugni slings seasonal cocktails like Jackknife Judy (Templeton Rye, vanilla black tea, Cynar, muscat, orange bitters) and Pisco Punch; local beer is plentiful.

Make a Deposit: Not to be crass, but a visit to the ladies’ room is a necessity. You can bank on it.

The Bedford, 1612 West Division Street, at Ashland Street (773-235-8800 or bedfordchicago.com).

Photo: Paul McDonald / Courtesy of The Bedford