News for Restaurants in Chicago January 2009 Archive Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive 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 After garnering a cult following, Hoosier Mama Pie Company set sights on opening a retail store this spring. For now, you can still buy them whole at the Green City Market and a few area restaurants, including Glenn's Diner. Hoosier Mama Pie Company, 1618 1/2 Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-758-2076.   Berwyn isn't exactly known as a bastion for dining, but Bodhi Thai Bistro is certainly getting some attention. The just-opened restaurant features countless dishes that can be prepared vegetarian or vegan. Also on offer: papaya salad with lime dressing, chicken massaman curry and, of course, pad thai. Bodhi Thai Bistro, 6211 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, IL 60402, 708-484-9250.   Gaylord India opened its new location in Streeterville. Needless to say, the lunch buffet is once again well-populated. Go for the tandoori, stay for the naan. Gaylord India, 100 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-664-1700.   Curry Hut Restaurant---which has a location in Highwood---has added a South Loop outpost, aptly named Chicago Curry House, to the mix. Lunch-breakers are loving the likes of ginger-and-garlic-bolstered, wok-cooked yellow lentils. Chicago Curry House, 899 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-362-9999.   Keep an eye out for The Market House, set to open mid-February. It'll have a local focus and serve American fare, courtesy of chef Scott Walton (ex-Harry Caray's). The Market House, Doubletree Hotel, 300 E. Ohio St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-787-6100.   Can't muster up the energy to cook? Now there's Your Kitchen, an Irving Park carryout aiming to beat your stalwarts by offering Reuben hushpuppies, hot bacon-blue cheese dip and chicken potpie. Your Kitchen, 4009 N. Albany Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-463-7470.   Set amidst a sea of forgettable suburban restaurants, showy Zaidi's---a Japanese-Latin lounge---is an attention-grabber (as long as you can find it nestled into a strip mall). From a one-time Sullivan's Steakhouse GM, it's all about orchid-topped martinis, glam and pricy maki and Kobe meats. Zaidi’s, 1975 Springbrook Square Dr., Naperville, IL 60564, 630-355-4400.   The crew behind Follia has branched out to open Tocco in Wicker Park, where wood-burning-oven-baked pizzas and basil-charged pappardelle are as much the focus as the fashion shows it'll soon start having. Tocco, 1266 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-687-8895.   It seems like a cupcake boutique is opening at every corner these days. But Sugar Bliss aims to stand out from the rest, starting with a.m.-inspired versions (blueberry-vanilla). More than 20 flavors, some seasonal, further tempt. From chocolate-caramel and red velvet to orange creamsicle, there's something for all persuasions. Sugar Bliss, 115 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60602, 312-845-9669.   Craving Senegalese fare? Check out Rogers Park newcomer Café Senegal, a pint-size, family-run spot dishing up mafe, peanut sauce-laced, West African lamb and veggie stew. House-made ginger juice is among the refreshers. Café Senegal, 2131 W. Howard St., Chicago, IL 60645, 773-465-5643.   Fans of BYO Terragusto will be happy to know a second location has opened its doors. This one, too, will focus on organic, sustainable Italian ingredients, including in menu items like tagliatelle alla bolognese tartufato and pasta neri con gamberetti. Terragusto, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-281-7200.   Gear up for the opening of three notable restaurants---modern Italian Cibo Matto led by chef Todd Stein (David Burke Modern American Cuisine, Las Vegas; mk, Chicago; and Bank, Minneapolis, among others), opening late summer; artisanal American, slow cooking-inspired State and Lake; and small plates concept Roof, a 7,000-square-foot 27th floor cocktail lounge---in theWit Hotel in Chicago's Loop. theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60601, 312-467-0200.   News Bytes Transformation Times Two? The future is not entirely certain at this point, but it appears Osteria di Tramonto and Tramonto's Steak & Seafood will close (or get overhauled or change names). Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand already have distanced themselves from the project with Cenitare. In the meantime, the dynamic duo continues to focus on TRU. Osteria di Tramonto, The Westin Chicago North Shore, 101 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, IL 60090, 847-777-6570.   Burger Show-down at South Beach It's kind of strange that, out of all the Chicago chefs that could be chosen, Carol Wallack (Sola) and Rick Bayless (Topolobampo, Frontera Grill) will be among the near-two-dozen chefs participating in the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival's burger competition. One thing's for sure: something interesting should be in store. Frontera Grill, 445 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-661-1434.   Chef Shuffle Geno Bahena (ex-Ixcapuzalco, ex-Chilpancingo and, currently, Real Tenochtitlan) is talking about opening a criollo and ceviche joint as well as a Mexican place in the 3100 block of North Lincoln. For now, you can enjoy his grub at mole-minded Real Tenochtitlan. Real Tenochtitlan, 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-227-1050.   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. Blue Water Grill---part of B.R. Guest chain fame---is no more. The line is it lost its lease. B.R., which is one of New York's largest restaurant groups, also closed Ruby Foo's on the Upper West Side as well as Fiamma, in the Big Apple. Blue Water Grill, 520 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60654, no phone.   Moon Palace in Chinatown is closed...at least for now. Moon Palace, 216 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL 60616, 312-225-4081.   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

View archived news: August 2020 | July 2020 | June 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020 | December 2019 | November 2019 | October 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008