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News for Restaurants in Chicago
February 2012 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

Allium has opened in the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago Allium has opened in the reconcepted Seasons space in the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. It serves dishes such as pork neck agnolotti with jus and green olives and suckling pig flatbread with Prairie Breeze cheese, courtesy of Kevin Hickey. Allium, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-649-2349.
 
Paul Kahan's Publican Quality Meats is opening any day, with butchers at the counter and Chris Kuziemko whipping up soups, salads and sandwiches, plus a butcher's meal made from lesser-known parts. Publican Quality Meats, 825 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-445-8977.
 
John Manion (Branch 27, Mas) plans to open La Sirena Clandestina in the West Loop, showcasing Latin flavors with a local bent. Translation: tongue-singeing prawns with coconut milk and palm oil. La Sirena Clandestina, 954 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, phone not available.
 
Michael Kornick and David Morton (DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar) are at it again with the pending opening of intimate Ada Street, a yet-to-be-defined, Asian-tinged concept in Lincoln Park. Ada Street, 1664 N. Ada St., Chicago, IL 60642, 773-697-7069.
 
Next time you're in Irving Park, swing by Bread & Wine, a wine bar and bistro serving small plates and sporting an artisanal market. Honestly, though, it's the menu that most appeals, from house-made pork terrine to fried pickles with celery seed and Tabasco aïoli, and Black Earth lamb and mustard seed meatloaf with yogurt-braised greens, white beans and harissa. Bread & Wine, 3732 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-866-5266.
 
Brendan Sodikoff (Gilt Bar, Doughnut Vault, Maude's Liquor Bar) has plans to open Au Cheval, a retro diner in a former gyros joint, with the goal of eventually opening 24 hours a day. And, in our mind, any time is a good time for fried, made-in-house bologna sandwiches and house-made knackwurst with spätzle. As if that's not enough, Sodikoff also plans to open Bavette's Bar & Boeuf at 218 W. Kinzie St. this winter. Au Cheval, 800 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, phone not available.
 
Ryan Poli's Tavernita and pintxo bar, Barcito, are among the anticipated openings of late. With options like chipotle-laced steak tartare with cucumbers, red onions and crème fraîche at the former and Iberico lardo at the latter, it's easy to see why. Tavernita, 151 W. Erie St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-274-1111.
 
"Check, Please!" host Alpana Singh plans to open wine-centric The Boarding House in the former Cairo space, which was once --- you guessed it --- a former boarding house. Expect the throwback menu to drop sometime this summer. The Boarding House, 720 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654, phone not available.
 


News Bytes
Belly Q by Bill Kim
Bill Kim (Belly Shack, Urban Belly) is teaming with Cornerstone Restaurant Group and Michael Jordan to bring Asian barbecue to the former One sixtyblue space. Belly Q, 1400 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-850-0303.
 

Chef Shuffle

Phil Rubino (Cafe des Architectes, Bin 36, as well as ex-chef at ill-fated Black Sheep) will be the exec chef at John des Rosiers' Moderno, a regional Italian restaurant in Highland Park, set to open in May. Moderno, 1850 Second St., Highland Park, IL 60035, 847-433-8600.
 
The dining room of Sixteen in Chicago Thomas Lents, a world-wise vet who worked under Jean Joho and Joël Robuchon, has assumed the role of executive chef at fine dining Sixteen, where he'll craft meticulous dishes from schmancy local and international ingredients. Sixteen, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-588-8030.
 
The word is Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda) has plans for the Aja space in the Dana Hotel and Spa, where he'll consult on a new, yet undisclosed, concept. For the time being, Ariel Bagadiong remains in the kitchen. Aja, Dana Hotel & Spa, 660 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-202-6050.
 


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.

David Richards' Sweets & Savories in Lincoln Park and sib Bluette Café in Wilmette have both closed. Sweets & Savories, 1534 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, phone not available.
 

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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