News for Restaurants in Chicago July 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 Sixteen's executive chef Frank Brunacci is handling the eats at recently opened The Terrace at Trump, an adjunct to Sixteen that's already swamped for its superb city views. The offerings, while still plenty expensive, are decidedly more approachable in nature. Look for nautically themed cocktails and a rosé-heavy wine list (at least for summer) to go with the lump crab-topped, house-made gnocchi. The Terrace at Trump, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-588-8030.   Almost 100 toppings for foldable pizza slices have Chicagoans rushing to Fogo 2 Go, a mostly carryout, BYOB venture in Lincoln Park. But it doesn't end there: The Brazilian-style snacks and rotisserie chicken have people clucking, too. Fogo 2 Go, 926 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-880-8052.   Jerry Kleiner is a busy man. In addition to readying for the opening of other ventures, he has opened 33 Club, an Old Town boîte that exudes a private club feel. Grand in appearance with brass coach lights and mahogany ceilings and walls, the menu---from Daniel Kelly (ex-Avenue M, Tramonto's Steak & Seafood)---includes affordable, down-to-earth items like house-made potato chips, a whitefish hoagie and bar snacks like deviled eggs. 33 Club, 1419 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-664-1419.   Breakfast is affordable and chic at Jerry Suqi's (Chickpea) Jam in the Ukrainian Village. Backing him up is executive chef Jeffrey Mauro (North Pond, Charlie Trotter's) and Mike Noll (Schwa) as sous chef. On offer: dishes like malted custard french toast and hazelnut-sage glazed buckwheat crêpes filled with lamb neck and Asian pear. Jam, 937 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-489-0302.   Mantou Noodle Bar didn't stick around long, but chef Rick Spiros rebounded with Red Canary, a foodie-minded lounge opening in the former home of Avenue M. Expect the same pleasant patio as well as sharable mid-size plates. Red Canary, 695 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 312-846-1475.   You'll find comfort in a bowl at the newly opened Bucktown Soup Café, a spot manned by students attending cooking school and offering a changing selection of about nine soups daily. On regular rotation are varieties like gumbo and chicken tortilla, but there will be seasonal choices---like gazpacho---too. Bucktown Soup Café, 1840 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-904-8364.   Score another for the suburbs. The owner of Mama Thai in Oak Park opened SEN Sushi Bar, which serves standards alongside contemporary rolls. SEN Sushi Bar, 814 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304, 708-848-4400.   Here's a blast from the past: The Claim Company, an iconic spot known for its char-broiled burgers, is rising from the ashes of its '80s and '90s glory. It'll reopen in the old Palm space in Northbrook Court mall early this fall. The Claim Company, Northbrook Court, 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook, IL 60062, 847-291-9111.   Orvieto, a chill, cost-conscious trattoria, is scheduled to open this fall in the old Green Dolphin Street dining space. Orvieto, 2200 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-395-0066.   The folks behind Menagerie (remember it?) are back on the scene with soon-to-open The Bad Apple, a fancy-burger place that uses beer in many of its dishes and gets its meat from esteemed butcher Pat LaFrieda. The Bad Apple, 4300 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-360-8406.   The Hearty Boys, Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh, will be turning their catering and TV studio space into Hearty, a restaurant serving rib-sticking, comfort-driven cuisine. Look for it---and dishes like porridge, as well as classic cocktails---in September. Hearty, 3819 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-244-9866.   Wings O' Flavor offers yet another way to get your fix with tons of flavors, including jerk, honey barbecue and Thai chili clinging to its wings. The good news is its sauces are made in house. Wings O’ Flavor, 3109 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-697-7032.   News Bytes La Donna to Change Concepts Hopleaf's Michael Roper took over La Donna next door and has plans to morph it into a wine-centric spot with a wood-burning grill. Ben Sheagren will oversee the kitchen at both. Meanwhile, La Donna owners Tony and Antonella Barbanente are looking to open a Mexican restaurant in the 6300 block of North Clark in September. La Donna, 5146 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-561-9400.   Urbanbelly Expands Urbanbelly's Bill Kim has sealed the deal; he'll be opening Belly Shack at 1912 N. Western Ave. in the Logan Square neighborhood sometime this fall. It'll be casual, too, with a BYO bent and dishes that range from Asian to Latin-inspired. Urbanbelly, 3053 N. California Ave., Chicago, IL 60618, 773-583-0500.   New Plans for Wabash Space Jason Paskewitz never did end up opening the much-hyped Jackson Park Bar and Grill at 444 N. Wabash Ave., but the space won't go to waste. The owner of Volare plans to open a steakhouse in its place early next year. Volare, 201 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-410-9900.   Chef Shuffle Here's a shocker: Freddy Sanchez, the forever exec chef of Adobo Grill, got the boot from both the Wicker Park and Old Town locations after returning from vacation. The sous chefs at both outposts have taken over. Adobo Grill, 1610 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60614, 312-266-7999.   Radhika Desai, who competed on last season's "Top Chef," left to start her own cooking venture. José Victorio has stepped into her shoes at Between Boutique Café & Lounge. Between Boutique Café & Lounge, 1324 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 773-292-0585.   Michael Tsonton (formerly of CopperBlue) is now chef de cuisine at Hotel Sax Chicago. Hotel Sax Chicago, The Hotel Sax, 333 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-245-0333.   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. Check back soon for more news. 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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