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News for Restaurants in Chicago
April 2013 Archive

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Read about the openings, closings, chef shuffle, and special events in Chicago here. Gayot's Restaurant News has the information you want on the local restaurants in Chicago.  

CHICAGO RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Upcoming German-inspired ventures Radler and D.A.S. from Nathan Sears and Adam Hebert (Vie) have found an address in Logan Square. Paul Virant is the consulting partner for both ventures. Radler and D.A.S., 2375 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, no phone.
 
Atypical burgers take the stage at Leadbelly, a venture from former school teacher Nicole Masse O'Brien and her husband Steve O'Brien (Carlos'). The meat is house-ground and the buns house-made. Add that to the fact that options --- like the House of the Rising Sun burger, topped with a fried egg, cheddar, smoked bacon and Bloody Mary sauce --- sound plenty appealing. Leadbelly, 5739 Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60634, 773-283-7880.
 
David Dworshak (Carnivale) and beverage director Adam Weber (Mercadito, Trenchermen) have opened Takito Kitchen taqueria in Wicker Park. The modern offerings include crispy redfish tacos with carrot-jalapeño slaw and coconut custard; seared scallops with date-lime chutney; and tomatillo-pistachio salsa with masa crackers. Takito Kitchen, 2013 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-687-9620.
 
Don't expect the everyday bar fare at American Junkie. Rather, Kendal Duque is plating venison tartare, wild boar chili and pork-kumquat flatbread. American Junkie, 15 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-239-0995.
 
Curio, once located below Gilt Bar, has morphed into The Library, where the food lineup includes steamed mussels. The Library, Gilt Bar, 230 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-464-9544.
 
Scott Walton(ex-Markethouse) is now at newcomer Howells & Hood in the Tribune Tower. Expect a locally driven, Southern-tinged menu with global influences. He plans to offer his fabled fresh and cured sausages as well. Howells & Hood, Tribune Tower, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-262-5310.
 


News Bytes
Gayot Week Menu at Vie April 22-27, 2013
Vie in Western Springs, IL, is offering a special three-course menu to celebrate being chosen for GAYOT's Top 40 Restaurants in the US list in the 2013 Annual Restaurant Issue. This Gayot Week Menu, able from April 22-27, 2013, features options such as crispy Parisienne gnocchi with tasso ham, roasted breakfast radish, peas and basil pesto; and wood-grilled pork belly with spätzle, braised shallots, roasted shitakes and smoked apple butter. It is priced at $44 plus tax and gratuity (additional $20 for optional wine pairings). The à la carte menu will also be available. The restaurant requests that diners mention that they will be dining for the Gayot Week Menu when making reservations. Vie, 4471 Lawn Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558, 708-246-2082.
 

Chef Shuffle

Dennis Stover (Big Star, Longman & Eagle) has taken up residence at Mindy Segal's HotChocolate, where he's already introducing some seasonal dishes. HotChocolate, 1747 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-489-1747.
 
Peter Balodimas (Quince, Spiaggia, Fahrenheit) had stepped in as corporate chef of the Rosebud group. Now, he's shifting his focus and taking over shuttered Rosebud Trattoria. It'll become Domestic, a farm-to-table American restaurant. Domestic, 445 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60654, No phone.
 
Cleetus Friedman (of erstwhile City Provisions) is now the chef at Fountainhead, and he has introduced new menu items, among them wings sauced with Belly Fire from Bill Kim. Fountainhead, 1970 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-697-8204.
 


Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Chicago to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. The Dining Room, R.I.P.

After sustaining damage from a fire, the original location of Lillie's Q has closed. Chef/owner Charlie McKenna is now offering a limited menu, including pulled pork sandwiches and pulled pork by the pound, at a space in the Chicago French Market. Lillie’s Q, Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-575-0306.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Chicago

 

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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

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CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

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GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

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