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News for Restaurants in Chicago
December 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.  

CHICAGO RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Oak Park may seem like an unlikely spot for a fine dining establishment, but that's just what it got in Seven Ocean, a sedate, set-price Asian fusion spot from the chef-owner of Tatsu. Seven Ocean, 122 N. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60301, 708-524-7979.
 
Curtis Duffy (Avenues) announced plans to open Grace in the West Loop neighborhood this summer, with the goal of creating a set-price dining experience that will showcase dishes and techniques that take his previous work to the next level.
 
Matthias Merges is behind Yusho, a kushiyaki and yakitori-focused place with a charcoal grill and a global selection of wines, beers and sakés. Yusho, 2853 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-904-8558.
 
Former Les Nomades chef Chris Nugent has gone it alone with the opening of Goosefoot in Lincoln Square, where seasonal ingredients inform eight and 12-course tasting menus, ones that may include dishes like Pleasant Ridge Reserve cheese with celery-truffle caponata and almonds. Goosefoot, 2656 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 773-942-7547.
 
Ryan McCaskey (Rushmore, Courtright's) just opened sleek Acadia in the South Loop, where elegant, upscale dishes like Stonington lobster pie are inspired by the chef-owner's time spent in Maine. Acadia, 1639 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60606, 312-360-9500.
 
Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Café Spiaggia) has opened Bar Toma in the former home of Bistro 110. The hyped spot offers bar plates (Tuscan chicken liver spread with caperberries and egg), pizzas (Capriole goat cheese with Piemontese hazelnuts, leeks, thyme and dates), gelato and tastings turned from a mozzarella bar. Bar Toma, 110 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-266-3110.
 
Cai has entered the dim sum scene, ushering in options like Cantonese fried chicken in Chinatown. Cai, Chinatown Mall, 2100 S. Archer Ave., Ste. 2F, Chicago, IL 60616, 312-326-6888.
 
Anna Makmok, a former partner at Thalia Spice, is behind Anna's Asian Bistro, a West Loop Pan-Asian serving dumplings, shu mai and saké baby-back ribs. Anna’s Asian Bistro, 813 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-344-1090.
 
Mexican and Korean flavors unite at La Tacorea in Lakeview, where you can score fusion tacos and rice bowls in one fell swoop. La Tacorea, 847 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-549-3500.
 
Brian Moulton (Côtes du Rhône) and Eric Aubriot (formerly of Carlos', Aubriot and Rhapsody) are in the kitchen at Revolver, where everything is priced at $7, $9 or $12, including crab, spinach and cremini-filled wonton ravioli in lobster cream sauce. Revolver, 3759 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-529-9135.
 
Takashi Yagihashi's Slurping Turtle has opened its doors in River North, so let the ramen action begin. The menu also hosts a number of sashimi options as well as items like razor clams and Madagascar prawns turned from a bincho grill. Slurping Turtle, 116 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-464-0466.
 
Edwardo's Natural Pizza has launched Eduardo's Enoteca, a lighter take on the pizza craze. That means thinner pies, along with handmade pasta topped with slow-simmered Bolognese. The setting, a former Edwardo's, feels rustic Tuscan, while a wine bar and desserts---some crafted from the family's Mitchell's Soda Shop gelato---offer reasons to linger. Eduardo’s Enoteca, 1212 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-337-4490.
 


News Bytes
Reopening Plans for Pasteur
Pasteur, which closed back in 2007, plans to reopen in January with a remodeled space and Eric Aubriot in the kitchen, where he'll prep French-tinged Vietnamese dishes with Dan Nguyen, the restaurant's original chef. Pasteur, 5525 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640, phone not available.
 
Chef Laurent Tourondel Debuts BLT American Brasserie
Laurent Tourondel (BLT Steak, BLT Prime, BLT Fish, though he's no longer affiliated with BLT Restaurant group) opened vast, casual BLT American Brasserie where Brasserie Ruhlmann once stood. Expect a catchall menu of pizzettas, sushi, sandwiches and grilled proteins. BLT American Brasserie, 500 W. Superior St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-948-8744.
 
Kamehachi Relocates
Kamehachi has relocated its Old Town location to 1531 N. Wells St., where Eivissa once stood. Kamehachi, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-664-3663.
 

Chef Shuffle

The Fish Guy, Bill Dugan, brought on Cody Butler (ex-The Boiler Room) as the chef of Wellfleet, which is expanding its occasional service to include regular dining and elegant, seafood-centric dishes. Wellfleet, 4423 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60630, 773-283-7400.
 
Theo Gilbert (Terragusto) has appeared as the chef at Ripasso, a spot for homemade pastas and family-style Italian eats. Ripasso, 1619 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-342-8799.
 
Joncarl Lachman is leaving Vincent, and the restaurant's chef de cuisine, Chrissy Camba, will step in. Although he has plans to leave town down the road, he'll remain at HB Home Bistro for now. Vincent, 1475 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-334-7168.
 
Roland Liccioni has stepped back into the kitchen at Les Nomades, which saw the recent departure of longtime chef Chris Nugent. Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-649-9010.
 
Matthew Kirkley is now the executive chef of L20, where he worked alongside Francis Brennan. A veteran of NoMI and Ria, Kirkley is keeping the shabu-shabu and sashimi platter, though there are some updates to those options as well as the rest of the menu. L20, The Belden-Stratford, 2300 N. Lincoln Park W., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-868-0002.
 


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.

Carlos' shuttered after New Year's Eve service to reconcept and make way for a more casual, approachable restaurant. Details to follow. Carlos', 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035, no phone.
 
Seasons restaurant served its final meal on New Year's Eve, and it's closing to make way for a more casual concept with chef Kevin Hickey still at the helm. Seasons, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60611, no phone.
 

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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