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News for Restaurants in Chicago
May 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.  

CHICAGO RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Perennial Virant (formerly Perennial) is open for business. The venure---a collaboration between the Boka Restaurant Group and Vie's Paul Virant---is located right by Green City Market, a fact that highly influences what's in store. Passable plates include pea shoots with warm bacon vinaigrette and Dante cheese, while more substantial dishes range from smoked beef ribs with garlic mustard chimichurri to pan-roasted pike with lemon vinaigrette. There's also a seasonal prix-fixe menu ($37). Perennial Virant, 1800 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 312-981-7070.
 
Bice Ristorante---and its expansive patio---have opened in The Talbott Hotel, offering another upscale Italian option in the Gold Coast. Look to dishes like spinach flan with Fontina cheese fondue and grissini bread; handmade fettuccine with beef-veal ragoût; and pork filet wrapped in speck and served alongside sweet semolina apple fritters with Madeira sauce. Bice Ristorante, The Talbott Hotel, 10 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago, IL 60601, 312-951-8900.
 
Keep your eyes peeled for the highly anticipated Tribute, where the kitchen will be overseen by Lawrence Letrero. Letrero helped develop the menu with Brandon Baltzley (ex-Mado). The restaurant is expected to open the third week of June. Tribute, Essex Inn, 800 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605, n/a.
 
Plans are underway to open American-bent Quay in the space that once housed DeLaCosta. Expect the menu of steaks, chops and seafood to drop around mid-June. Quay, 465 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60611, n/a.
 
File this one under big news: Jean-Georges Vongerichten will head resurrected the Pump Room in Ian Schrager's Public hotel come mid-September. Inspired by what the super-chef is doing at ABC Kitchen, the farm-driven, supper club-inspired restaurant will emphasize shareable, Asian-tinged plates and serve them in multiple spaces. The Pump Room, 1301 N. State Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-787-3700.
 
Phillip Foss (owner of Meatyballs food truck, formerly of New York's Le Cirque) plans to open EL in Pilsen, where he'll serve tasting menus only. The opening is slated for July 7. EL, 2419 W. 14th St., Chicago, IL 60608, no phone available.
 
Old Town Social's Jared Van Camp plans to open Nellcôte, named for the posh waterfront Côte d'Azur pad. Housed in the former home of Marche, it'll use---and sell---house-made stone milled flour, while dishing up house-made pizza and pasta. Look for it late this year. Nellcôte, 833 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, n/a.
 
Lovers of fine foods should check out monthly pop-up Dose Market, overseen by Heather Sperling of Tasting Table and Emily Fiffer of Daily Candy. Held in the River East Art Center, it's stocked with food---and fashion---from under-represented vendors, such as Blis Gourmet and Rare Bird. There's an $8 door charge with advance purchase, or expect to pay $10 on the spot. Dose Market, River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-321-1001.
 
Terragusto on Armitage has morphed into Pastaterra, a counter-service Italian joint with a baker's dozen of its namesake, sauced with ingredients from local farms. Admittedly, potato-filled tortellini in a basil cream sauce---along with a quartino---sounds pretty good right about now. Pastaterra, 340 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-281-7200.
 
Restaurateurs Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky and Peter Drohomyrecky (Custom House Tavern), along with chef Perry Hendrix, plan to open a French bistro (Maison) as well as a diner (Eggy's) at 333 E. Randolph St. sometime later this year. Maison and Eggy’s, 333 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601, no phone available.
 
Mole expert Geno Bahena (Los Moles, Real Tenochtitlán, et. el) is at it again with Danzón Restaurante in Logan Square. The BYOB covers a varied repertoire that includes cochinita pibil, patatas bravas and pink shrimp swathed in classic green pipián with roasted nopales and mashed potatoes. Danzón Restaurante, 2715 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-698-6640.
 
Dion Antic (Bagel on Damen) has opened late-night Porkchop, where the name suggests swine takes center stage. To the contrary, while it appears on the menu, the offerings are much more diverse, ranging from elotes with aleppo pepper aïoli to cheeseburger mac ‘n' cheese, wood-grilled steak and Southern fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Porkchop, 941 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-773-9333.
 


News Bytes
New Digs for Deleece
Deleece has move a few blocks down the road to 3747 N. Southport Ave., where it will offer a pre-theater dining option in conjunction with adjacent Mercury Theatre. Deleece, 3747 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-325-1710.
 
Bigger Dog Digs
Poochie's---the beloved, longtime hot dog stand in Skokie---has relocated to a larger space. Poochie’s, 3602 Dempster St., Skokie, IL 60076, 847-673-0100.
 

Chef Shuffle

Elliot Green, who has been working the line since 2008, is now the sous chef at Paul Kahan's avec. avec, 615 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60661, 312-377-2002.
 
Erin Mooney, a veteran of Green Zebra and HotChocolate, has landed in the role of sous chef at Leopold. Leopold, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60642, 312-348-1028.
 


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.

In a surprising move, Kith & Kin in Lincoln Park has closed. Owner Moe Taleb hopes to open something in its place. Meanwhile, his new restaurant in Andersonville is expected to open soon. Kith & Kin, 1119 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 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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