News for Restaurants in Chicago March 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 The eatery Tapas Valencia has moved to the South Loop, built-in cred in tow. It's from the folks behind Naperville's Meson Sabika, but it's much more modern in feel. Awash in mosaics, the dining room offers up familiar bites like bacon-wrapped dates and jamón Serrano. Tapas Valencia, 1530 S. State St., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-842-4444.   It's turkey all the time at Jive Turkey, a south suburban barbecue joint that's worth the trek. Check out the "turkey ribs" and "turkey tips," and dreams of what inspires them will be a distant memory. Jive Turkey, 1746 W. 127th St., Calumet Park, IL 60827, 708-396-0131.   Scenesters and foodies are rubbing elbows at Billy Dec's now-open Sunda. The reason? Rodelio Aglibot (formerly of Koi in Los Angeles), who is turning out food laced with flavors from Japan, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. In a bite: pork shank confit with garlicky foie gras gravy and watercress salad. Sunda, 110 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-644-0500.   It's seems like every town has a Brazilian joint these days---Oak Park included with the opening of Taste of Brasil. Among its lineup of homemade eats are beef empanadas, cheese bread and a prestijo torte. Taste of Brasil, 906 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304, 708-383-3550.   Can't get a table at Café Iberico? Go upstairs to Pintxos, the adjunct River North tapas spot that's only open on weekends. Grilled meat and seafood, with sauces, is the focus. Txikits---small pours of wine---and tapas-size desserts are options, as are tortillas españolas that are meant for sharing. Pintxos, 737 N. LaSalle Dr., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-664-4800.   Lucca's is gone, but Palette Bistro has filled the niche. This romantic, neighborhood spot has big French doors that can open to a patio on warm days, loads of wood details and a white tablecloth vibe that remains approachable. Dishes to try include trout with lemon caper sauce and ahi with spiced red grapes and fennel confit. Palette Bistro, 2834 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60657, 773-477-2565.   The Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile got a new restaurant people are talking about: Markethouse. The focus is on local, seasonal food, and the setting has a nature-driven feel. Dishes range from a roasted Berkshire chop with sweet and sour quince and red cabbage confit to sweetbreads braised in maple and served with grits. Markethouse, 611 N. Fairbanks Ct., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-224-2200.   Feast Restaurant & Bar officially opened a Gold Coast outpost. The food keeps its eclectic, global focus, so expect to find both grilled skirt steak with chimichurri and short ribs with a blue cheese hominy cake. Feast Restaurant & Bar, 25 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-337-4001.   The Brasserie's Market, an offshoot of Old Town Brasserie, has opened and is offering coffee, pastries and sandwiches to go. A peek inside reveals choices like jamon de Paris, egg and cheese on a croissant and a crunchy baguette or multi-grain bread with mango chutney, sliced Gruyère and mesclun. There will be cheese plates and pâté, too, and chef Andy Motto's entrées from next door---like grilled salmon and herb-roasted chicken---can be taken to go. The Brasserie’s Market, 1211 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-943-0540.   Chef Eusevio Garcia (ex-mk and Mundial Cocina Mestiza) and pastry chef Leticia Zenteno (formerly of Boka and Topaz) are generating buzz at Amelia's Bar & Grill, where a blend of Mexican and Mediterranean flavors translate into salmon with caramelized green papaya, avocados, mangos and crème fraîche. Amelia’s Bar & Grill, 4559 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60609, 773-538-8200.   Who says museum dining has to be dull? Tony Mantuano (Spiaggia) is set to open Terzo Piano, a new lunch spot in the Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing of the Art Institute in mid-May. Fussy Italian fare it's not; instead, the focus will be on local, organic ingredients. Dinner will be served a few nights a week, and it's possible to dine here without paying admission. Terzo Piano, 159 E. Monroe Dr., Chicago, IL 60603, 312-899-5100.   News Bytes Where's the Beef? Michael Kornick, owner of mk, is going to (wait for it) open DMK Burger Bar on Sheffield. David Morton, son of Arnie of Morton's Steakhouse fame, will be involved in the project. Not surprisingly, it won't be an ordinary affair. Instead, artisanal cheeses and Tallgrass Beef bison will be among the menu items. mk, 868 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-482-9179.   A Mano Back in Action A lunchtime flood did enough damage to A Mano that it had to temporarily close its doors. The restaurant just reopened with a new menu, but one that continues to focus on chef-partner John Caputo's Italian mainstays like lasagna and garganelli with wild boar ragù. You can still get your salumi fix, though, with choices like culatello, soppressata and mole salami. A Mano, Marina City, 335 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-629-3500.   A Well-Deserved Pat This year's James Beard Foundation Awards nominations have been announced, and Chicago got lots of love. Among those to get nods are Mindy Segal (HotChocolate), Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun's), Bin 36, Spiaggia, and Paul Kahan (Blackbird).   W9NE and D9NE N9NE Steakhouse has launched a weekly wine special for diners on Mondays. W9NE AND D9NE AT N9NE offers a select bottle list of nine white and nine red wines at half-price. Purchase of an entrée is required with this promotion. N9NE Steakhouse, 440 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60606, 312-575-9900.   Chef Shuffle Husband-and-wife duo Katie and Eusevio Garcia have left Mundial Cocina Mestiza, and they've sold their stake in the restaurant to partner Mario Cota, who will keep the Nuevo Latin bent. He's brought in Hector Marcial (Red Light, Opera and Marche). Eusevio Garcia is at Amelia's Bar & Grill in the Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood, while Katie Garcia is plotting her own restaurant opening in Pilsen. Mundial Cocina Mestiza, 640 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60616, 312-491-9908.   Members of Sepia's "fan club" are in mourning after receiving word Kendal Duque has left to open his own restaurant. However, Andrew Zimmerman (NoMI) will take his place. Sepia, 123 N. Jefferson St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-441-1920.   There has been a fair amount of upheaval at Courtright's over the years. Now that France-born Jerome Bacle (Le Bec-Fin and voilà! in Philadelphia) is wearing the toque, there's hope things will settle down. In the meantime, give the foie gras terrine with aged balsamic vinegar and tomato-saffron jam a try. Courtright's, 8989 Archer Ave., Willow Springs, IL 60480, 708-839-8000.   Roland Liccioni (ex-Old Town Brasserie, Carlos', Le Français) has resurfaced at Gabriel Viti's Miramar Bistro, where he'll rework the menu into something très French---but with his signature Asian accents, of course. Miramar Bistro, 301 Waukegan Ave., Highwood, IL 60040, 847-433-1078.   NoMI has a new chef de cuisine: Ryan LaRoche. His resume's impressive; LaRoche has clocked time at TRU, DeLaCosta and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Sliding into Andrew Zimmerman's shoes, he'll start weaving in new items but won't be doing anything drastic in the near future. Meanwhile, pastry chef Andrés Lara (ex-elBulli) has plans to go back to Spain. So, in that regard the search is on. NoMI, Park Hyatt Chicago, 800 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-239-4030.   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. Here's a surprising one: the Rosebud in Naperville has closed its doors. Owners plan to reopen a new comfort food-focused restaurant in the space this spring. Rosebud, 48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540, no phone.   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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