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News for Restaurants in Chicago
June 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
Chicago's love affair with haute dogs continues with the opening of Heat, a late-night sausage spot from Ken Robinson, who used to own a Ukie Village coffee shop called The Grasshopper. Many of the encased meats, including numbers using Dietzler Farm beef, are made in-house by Robinson, who used to chef for Diddy. Heat, 1570 1/2 N. Damen Ave., lower level, Chicago, IL 60622, 773-384-4030.
Scott Harris has been busy---that's for sure. He's just opened Ethyl's Beer & Wine Dive, which has a welcoming patio and dishes like buttermilk-marinated chicken thighs with cheddar-bacon waffles; pimento mac 'n' cheese with andouille; and a low country-inspired salad with crispy pork belly and a poached egg in warm bacon vinaigrette. Ethyl’s Beer & Wine Dive, 324 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-433-0007.
Guan Chen and Yan Ruan, the husband and wife duo behind Han 202 near U.S. Cellular Field, plan to open Blue & White Porcelain nearby this fall. It, too, will serve a prix-fixe menu, along with à la carte offerings. Blue & White Porcelain, 742 W. 31st St., Chicago, IL 60616, phone not available.
Phillip Foss (Meatyballs, ex-Lockwood) has opened six-seater EL, where he's teamed up with Andrew Brochu (Kith & Kin) to cook and serve 11-course, set-price dinners Thursday through Saturday. EL, 2419 W. 14th St., Chicago, IL 60608, 312-226-8144.
Chris Pandel (The Bristol) teamed with the Boka Group (Boka, Perennial Virant, Girl & the Goat) to open Balena this fall in the former Landmark Grill + Lounge space, where ingredient driven, from-scratch Italian---much of it wood-fired---is sure to excite. Balena, 1633 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, phone not available.
Two Brothers Brewing Company bought America's Historic Roundhouse and will morph it into Two Brothers Roundhouse. And while some menu items will be imported from its Warrenville brewpub, the massive spot will largely focus on farm-to-table, gastropub-type fare. Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL 60505, 630-393-2337.
News
Bytes
A Reprieve for Francesca's Forno
Sooooo... Francesca's Forno isn't really closing after all. Scott Harris is revamping it instead, and it'll reopen in mid-July. Slotted to have become Panza, a spot for bruschetta and wine, Harris is looking to place that concept elsewhere. Francesca’s Forno, 1676 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-770-0184.
Chef Shuffle
Erin Mooney (Green Zebra, HotChocolate) has resurfaced in Chicago at Leopold, where she is now sous chef. Leopold, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 312-348-1028.
Meg Galus left Café des Architectes for NoMI Kitchen, where she's currently making finales that include gussied up rhubarb soup. Café des Architectes, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, 20 E. Chestnut St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-324-4000.
Lauded pastry chef Patrick Fahy has left Blackbird. No word on where exactly he'll appear next. Blackbird, 619 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-715-0708.
Justin White (Green Zebra, The Bristol, Custom House) has moved over to Small Bar, where he's working on a new local, seasonally driven menu. Small Bar, 1415 W. Fullerton Ave. and 2049 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-525-2727.
Chef Frank Brunacci, who helped open Sixteen in 2008, left his position in the kitchen. Chef de cuisine Joseph Rose, who has been with the restaurant since its start, will oversee the kitchen until a replacement is found. Sixteen , Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, 401 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-588-8030.
Nolan Narut (David Burke's Primehouse) is now the chef at soon-to-open Quay in River North, which is expected to drop in July. The restaurant will dish up American fare---chops, steak, seafood---and feature dock access for boaters. Quay, 465 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-981-8400.
LOKal Restaurant & Lounge has a new chef---Monica Riley (Hopleaf, Marigold)---and she's launched a new, summery menu loaded with, well, local things, like farm kielbasa with dill potato salad, marinated beets and caramelized onions. LOKal Restaurant & Lounge, 1904 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-904-8113.
Closings
A 25-year veteran on the Chicago dining scene, Bistro 110 has closed. It's not all sad news, though. Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia, Café Spiaggia, Terzo Piano) will open an Abruzzo-style small plates pizzeria and bar, complete with gelato counter, in its place. Bistro 110, 110 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-266-3110.
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