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News for Restaurants in Chicago
February 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 wait is over: RJ and Jerrod Melman have opened Paris Club, with a menu designed by Jean Joho (Everest) and Tim Graham (ex-TRU). That means everything from French onion fondue to fennel gratin, veg cassoulet and anchovy-eggplant "cigarettes." Paris Club, 59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-595-0800.
Bob Zrenner (TRU, North Pond) is in the kitchen at newly opened Hubbard Inn, a Euro-inspired tavern filled with Hemingway-esque artifacts and a menu of small plates, wee-hours snacks, sandwiches and salads (think pan-seared scallops with pumpkin purée and sage hazelnut brown butter). Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-222-1331.
A follow-up to Gilt Bar, Maude's Liquor Bar has opened with a selection of rustic French fare from Jeff Pikus (Perennial, Alinea), raw bar selections and specialty "smashes" and bubbly. Brendan Sodikoff will also open Doughnut Vault shortly, specializing in square-shaped versions of its namesake. Maude’s Liquor Bar, 840 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-243-9712.
Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar will soon open as the city's first kushiyaki (Japanese barbecue bar), serving skewers of squeaky parts (offal), oxtail dumplings and buffalo duck wings. It's from Mike Schatzman with Worachai "Chao" Thapthimkuna (ex-Sushi Wabi). Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, 230 W. Erie St., Chicago, IL 60654, no phone yet.
Fiddlehead Café has officially turned into Fork, a Lincoln Square gastropub with a cheese and charcuterie selection as well as small plates, 140 beers and over two-dozen wines by the glass. Fork, 4600 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625, 773-751-1500.
The Butcher & Larder---Rob Levitt's highly anticipated whole-hog butcher shop---has opened in Noble Square. Come for the custom-cut meats; linger over the porchetta sandwich; and grab some smooth chicken liver pâté to go. The Butcher & Larder, 1026 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 773-687-8280.
In a city flush with hot dog joints---including many fancy takes on wieners---there's now Westminster Hot Dog, a Loop locale where all the gourmet meats are made in house. One to salivate over is the Philly, a rib-eye sausage with grilled onions, peppers and provolone. A changing selection of exotic sausages is available, too. Westminster Hot Dog, 11 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60602, no phone yet.
The former Cafe Matou address is now home to Silom12, a traditional Thai eatery specializing in a familiar lineup of noodles, curries and stir-fries served in tranquil surrounds. Silom12, 1846-48 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-489-1212.
Lincoln Park has a new, modern taco spot to call its own: Barrio Urban Taqueria, a Mexican eatery serving beer-battered fish tacos, scallop fajitas and Yucatan-style barbecued pork. Barrio Urban Taqueria, 713 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-360-8316.
Gosu---a Japanese-Korean hybrid---has opened in the former Rustico Grill space in Logan Square, serving jopchae alongside maki. Gosu, 2515 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-276-7330.
Dudley Nieto has popped up at Totopo, serving flavored tortilla chips with several salsas, cochinita pibil and tasty tortilla soup in a West Suburban strip mall. Totopo, Oak Brook Promenade, 3041 Butterfield Rd., Ste. 117, Oak Brook, IL 60523, 630-573-8686.
Scott Harris has been a busy man. Among the many projects he's opened of late: DiSotto Enoteca, a wine bar and small plates concept beneath Francesca's on Chestnut. A refuge for weary Mag Mile shoppers, its concise menu of antipasti and bruschetta, cheese and salumi includes crostini topped with pear, Taleggio and toasted pistachios. DiSotto Enoteca, 200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-482-8800.
Barrington will soon have a new Asian option to choose from: PL8, which comes from a Lettuce Entertain You vet. PL8, 736 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington, IL 60010, 847-382-1988.
News
Bytes
Restaurant Week Returns
Chicago Restaurant Week takes place February 18-27, bringing with it hundreds of set-price menus at Chicago restaurants ($22 during lunch and typically $33 during dinner). Among spots participating is Naha, with options that include Southern fried chicken salad with roasted corn, glazed pecans, shaved red onions, flat-leaf parsley and house-made buttermilk ranch dressing as well as gigli pasta with broccoli rabe, sweet red peppers, wood-grilled Tuscan kale and sweet garlic cream. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit http://www.choosechicago.com/chicago_restaurant_week_2011/pages/default.aspx.
Chef Shuffle
Martial Noguier has left Café des Architectes to soon open seasonally minded Bistronomic, a contemporary French restaurant in the old Eve locale. Bistronomic, 840 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-944-8400.
Chris Curren of Blue 13 is the new chef of Elate, but will still continue to oversee operations at his River North spot. Elate, 111 W. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-202-9900.
John Manion has left Branch 27 to open his own place, though there is no word yet on who his replacement will be. Branch 27, 1371 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 312-850-2700.
Cibo Matto's new chef, Evan Percoco (of Bokx 109 American Prime in Massachusetts), has stepped in to fill the roll Todd Stein vacated when he headed across town for The Florentine. Percoco is busy switching things up to move in a modern Italian direction, which means tasty dishes like citrusy grilled octopus with endive. Cibo Matto, theWIT Hotel, 201 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601, 312-239-9500.
Closings
Moto sib Otom closed to make way for Homaro Cantu's ING, an affordable, house beer-centric place with a "miracle berry"-focused chef's table and Thomas Bowman (still) in the kitchen. ING, 951 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, no phone yet.
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