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Prairie Grass Café officially took its act to the city with the opening of Prairie Fire. Expect tweaked American dishes made from local and organic ingredients---as well as faves like moussaka from its sib---to be served in the former digs of Powerhouse. Prairie Fire, 215 N. Clinton St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-382-8300.
Shirley Garcia (The Goddess and Grocer) recently opened Nohea Café, which serves café-style fare---sandwiches, salads, coffee---along with grab-and-go gourmet items in Roscoe Village. Nohea Café, 2142 W. Roscoe St., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-935-7448.
Macku Chan (Mirai Sushi, Kaze, Heat) has teamed with brothers Kaze and Hari Chan to open Macku Sushi in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Continuing the theme of serving not just the classics but also seasonally inspired toppings, it's filling the void left when Kaze closed. Macku Sushi, 2239 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-880-8012.
David Shopiro's The Big Easy offers a taste of---you guessed it!---New Orleans in Hyde Park. The menu is a commingling of Southern-style barbecue, baked goods (beignets) and Creole and Cajun dishes like po' boys and jambalaya. Needless to say, that's a relief to those mourning the loss of Dixie Kitchen. The Big Easy, 1660 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60637, 773-643-5500.
Calling all bagel lovers: It's time to hit Bagels on Damen, a newcomer that has good slathers---um, truffle and toasted pine nut, anyone?---for them and sandwiches made with them. Plus, coffee comes courtesy of Portland roasters Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Bagels on Damen, 1252 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-772-2243.
There was no big hullabaloo about the actual opening of The Purple Pig but, man, is it ever packed. The venture---a collaboration between Heaven on Seven's Jimmy Bannos, Bannos' son and Scott Harris of Mia Francesca---has diners nuts over more than just the charcuterie: pig's ear with crispy kale has brought many a foodie to near-tears. The Purple Pig, 500 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-464-1744.
There were some rumors swirling about TRU opening a burger component, but it'll actually be a new Lettuce Entertain You launch next door. Rich Melman recently disclosed the fact that The M Burger, which will have a separate but adjacent kitchen born from part of TRU's, will focus on burgers and serve them in a counter-service setting. The M Burger, 676 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611, No phone yet.
There have been a few notable openings in suburban La Grange of late, the latest being Prasino, a roomy spot along La Grange Road that's emphasizing sustainable, organic ingredients when possible. Most of the dishes---like line-caught tuna tartare with ponzu---sound fairly pedestrian, though that's not to say the beef short rib sandwich with roasted peppers and Fontina won't fare well. Prasino, 93 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525, 708-469-7058.
Lots of good stuff is going on at Cuna---from the lounge-y, happening scene to Kendal Duque's (ex-Sepia) menu of South American, Mediterranean, Asian, American and Italian shared plates. Our eyes are fixed on the braised lamb shoulder, green olives and caramelized onion flatbread. Cuna, 1113 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 312-224-8588.
Who doesn't love a good cream puff? Judging from the popularity of Japan-based Beard Papa's, not many folks. Filled with custard-cream, they come in three standard flavors (vanilla, strawberry and chocolate), plus a changing flavor like green tea. Other treats include mochi and cheesecake as well as Illy coffee. Beard Papa’s, 108 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60602, 312-960-9000.
The Karen's Cooked concept has expanded with the opening of Karyn's on Green, a vegan restaurant serving imitations of beloved meat dishes, like fried "chicken." Karyn’s on Green, 130 S. Green St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-226-6155.
Authentic French fare is the focus at newly opened Bistro Bordeaux in Evanston, which comes from Bordeaux native Pascal Berthoumieux. Frank Mnuk (ex-NoMI, Thomas Keller's Bouchon) is in the kitchen, prepping local, sustainably driven dishes. There's an affordable French wine list, too. Bistro Bordeaux, 618 Church St., Evanston, IL 60201, 847-424-1483.
Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar is going to open another outpost in Oak Brook on the outskirts of the mall. So, prepare to munch on massive lobster tails, Prime filets and martinis amidst a sea of suits. Gibsons Steakhouse & Bar, 2105 Spring Rd., Oak Brook, IL 60523, No phone yet.
Balsan and Ria have opened in the Elysian hotel. The former is casual, the latter is fancy-schmancy, global and dinner-oriented (as in gussied-up Peking duck for two). Ria, 11 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-880-4400.
A new heavy hitter has hit River North: BLT Restaurant alum Stephen Wambach's Epic. The bi-level American eatery and lounge is dishing out spiced duck breast with kumquats and a foie gras crouton and Kobe rib-eyes. As if that's not enough, there's a former Charlie Trotter's and mk pastry chef in the house. Epic, 112 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-222-4940.
Katakana has opened in Logan Square---by way of Tokyo. And if you're worried about it being authentic, stop right there: the sushi chef clocked time at the original. Expect funky maki along with tempura and soba dishes. Katakana, 2829 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-235-2199.
 News
Bytes
Dough Dilemma
Uno Holding Corp.---the parent company of Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due---filed for bankruptcy. But don't worry: there are no plans as of now to close any of the Chicago area restaurants. Pizzeria Uno, 29 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-321-1000.
Back on the Scene
After being destroyed by a fire a year ago, Macello has reopened with a similarly minded (though lower-priced) menu inspired by Giovanni DeNigris' youth in Puglia. Look for dishes like house-made cavatelli with chicory and fava purée. Macello, 1235 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-850-9870.
A Missing Link
Jovan Trboyevic, the creator of Les Nomades and Le Perroquet, helped shape fine dining in Chicago. At the age of 89, he has passed away. Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-649-9010.
Gem of a Deal
Gemini Bistro has lowered the price of its three-course prix-fixe menu to $31 ($49 with wine). The thing is, diners won't suffer in the taste department with choices like roasted mushroom risotto with Parmigiano and white truffle oil and grilled hanger steak frites with maître d' butter, bordelaise and crispy frites. Gemini Bistro, 2075 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-525-2522.
Bait & Switch
"Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard, who has yet to open her highly anticipated restaurant, has changed its original name from Drunken Goat to Girl & the Goat. She's currently aiming for a spring 2010 opening. Girl & the Goat, 809-813 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60606, No phone yet.
Kendal Duque (ex-Sepia) is going to consult at Paolo Acuña's Cuna, which is coming at the beginning of the year. In addition to developing its menu, he'll be in the kitchen cooking---at least for now. Paolo Acuña's Cuna will be at 1113 W. Belmont Ave., 312-224-8588.
Atwood Café's Heather Terhune is leaving after a decade of service to oversee the soon-to-open gastrolounge Sable Kitchen & Bar at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Chicago. House-made sausages and pretzels will be on the menu---plus loads of dishes using local ingredients. Atwood Café, Hotel Burnham, 1 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602, 312-368-1900.
John Manion (Goose Island Brewery, Mas, Old Oak Tap) is now in the kitchen at Branch 27, and he has introduced a new menu, which includes tagliatelle with sweetbreads, house-made Jagerwurst and a cassoulet of lamb meatballs, braised pork belly and duck confit. Meanwhile, Goose Island has announced its replacement to fill Manion's void: Andrew Hroza, a certified cicerone (beer sommelier). Branch 27, 1371 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 312-850-2700.
Admittedly, we weren't huge fans of Eivissa---chef Dudley Nieto's Spanish experiment---when it opened. He has since returned to San Gabriel Mexican Cafe in Bannockburn, and Jorge Miranda (Adobo Grill) is in the kitchen whipping up Ibiza-inspired dishes. Eivissa, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-654-9500.
Given how quiet things were after his near-win on "Top Chef" season three, you might have forgotten about Dale Levitski (La Tache, Trio). But he's back, and he's upping the ante at Sprout, Lincoln Park's French-American hybrid that already has seen its share of changes. Sprout, 1417 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-348-0706.
 Closings
Cary Taylor, exec chef of Chaise Lounge, has helped to re-concept Chaise Lounge. Its alter ego: The Southern, which serves everything from cheese straws with pecan butter to green tomatoes accompanied by chèvre, caper relish and lemon. Chaise Lounge, 1840 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-342-1840.
Fianco has closed, and its chef---Matt Troost (ex-The Peninsula Chicago) is on the hunt for a job...via Twitter. Fianco, 3440 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-327-6400.
Ian Schrager is taking over the Ambassador East Hotel and The Pump Room will be a casualty of bygone days. It closes its doors after a cabaret performance by Nan Mason on January 30. The Pump Room, Ambassador East Hotel, 1301 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-266-0360.
Although the date has been pushed back to later this year, Fondue Stube is expected to close its doors in late 2010. Fondue Stube, 2717 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago, IL 60659, 773-784-2200.
After less than a year in business, Michael Lachowicz's Wally & Agador's Gourmet Café has closed. Wally & Agador’s Gourmet Café, 3310 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657, no phone.
It's hard to believe---and certainly sad to see go---but 30-year institution Healthy Lithuanian has closed up shop. Healthy Lithuanian, 3236 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60608, no phone.
Despite being super-sleek, Bluprint in the Merchandise Mart has closed its doors, citing its location as a major challenge. Bluprint, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654, no phone.
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A SEASON OF LOVE
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