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News for Restaurants in Chicago
August 2011 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. |
Openings
The folks behind revered TAC Quick have opened Rock Wrap & Roll, a low-key BYO Thai and Japanese with Thai beef jerky, chive dumplings and sushi. Rock Wrap & Roll, 2187 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-472-2800.
Veerasway closed, with plans to morph into Grange Hall Farm Burger later this fall, a spot for burgers made from responsibly raised meat, ice cream and fresh-baked pies. Grange Hall Farm Burger, 844 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, phone not available.
Fans of Belgian waffles fill to the brim at aptly named Waffles, a South Loop spot dispensing sweet and savory selections, like a red velvet waffle with cherry compote and cream cheese sauce, plus salads and omelets. Waffles, 1400 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-854-8572.
Bleeding Heart Bakery & Café has opened another location, this one in West Town. It has a glassed in display kitchen and donut selection as well as a donut sandwich. Creative, brunch-y bites---served 24 hours on weekends---add further appeal. Bleeding Heart Bakery & Café, 1916 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-904-1414.
Riccardo Enoteca (a sib to nearby Ricardo Trattoria) is a restaurant, sans kitchen proper, though there is a wood-burning oven that turns out focaccia and grilled Italian fare. Charcuterie, cheeses and antipasti further complement a global wine and locally driven beer list. Riccardo Enoteca, 2116 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-549-5010.
Matt Maroni of roving Gaztro-Wagon has just opened brick-and-mortar MorSo, a spot for shared plates and brunch, with standouts like wild boar belly with olive purée and a Scotch egg with tomato rémoulade. MorSo, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-880-9280.
DMK Burger Bar has opened a second installment at 2370 Fountain Square Drive in Lombard, serving the same line-up of grass-fed and natural meat, fancified fries and shakes. DMK Burger Bar, 2370 Fountain Square Dr., Lombard, IL 60148, 630-705-9020.
Burger lovers have plenty of options, and there's about to be another beyond-the-basics place to get a fix in early September with the opening of Butcher & the Burger. It'll tempt with almost a dozen types of ground meat patties with ten proprietary seasonings, furthered by house-made frozen custard and a butcher shop-inspired space. Ground meat will also be available to go, along with other primo proteins. Butcher & the Burger, 1021 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-697-3735.
Oak Park's old Pasta Shoppe space now houses Il Vicolo Trattoria, which serves a pasta-heavy, neighborhood-friendly Southern Italian menu with options from minestrone to pizza and seafood. Il Vicolo Trattoria, 116 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60301, 708-386-5801.
Watch for Laurent Tourondel's BLT American Brasserie sometime mid-fall, with its mid-price menu of familiar eats like smoky ribs and wood-fired, Gorgonzola-laced figs wrapped in pancetta. BLT American Brasserie, 500 W. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60654, phone not available.
Lettuce Entertain You will open Saranello's in the former Osteria di Tramonto space in The Westin Chicago North Shore, where a menu of mid-weight pizzas and house-made pasta is in the works. Saranello's, The Westin Chicago North Shore, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090, phone not available.
News
Bytes
MJ's Steak House Expands
Second-floor Michael Jordan's Steak House is now open in the InterContinental Chicago. Specializing in 45-day, dry-aged Delmonico and Prime steaks and 28-day dry-aged cuts, it's also becoming a hotspot for Wisconsin blue cheese fondue and roasted chicken with salsa verde and grilled Meyer lemons. Michael Jordan’s Steak House, InterContinental Chicago, 505 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-321-8823.
Chef Shuffle
Chef and pastry chef Jonadab Silva and Erin Silva Winston have assumed ownership of Jacky's on Prairie, and they're downsizing the menu but keeping its contemporary feel intact. In other words, don't be surprised to encounter Moroccan lamb shank as an available option. Jacky’s on Prairie, 2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, 847-733-0899.
James Kilberg (ex-Terragusto, Il Poggiolo) is now the chef of revamped Bice, where he's responsible for a new menu, complete with osso buco. Bice, 10 E. Delaware St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-951-8900.
Brian Moulton of the erstwhile Côtes du Rhône has moved on to Xippo Bar & Grill, where he's fashioned a shareable French menu. Xippo Bar & Grill, 3759 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-529-9135.
Closings
Ben Pao closed on September 10 to pave the way for an Italian restaurant from RJ and Jerrod Melman, along with The Style Network's Bill and Giuliana Rancic of "Giuliana & Bill." Ben Pao, 52 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-222-1888.
View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Chicago
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Hungry for a hamburger? From simple patties with a pickle to gourmet takes by top toques, we've compiled lists of the Top 10 Burgers in cities across the USA, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
