News for Restaurants in Chicago June 2010 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 Jerry's Sandwiches in the West Loop neighborhood is closing; it will reopen as Mac & Min's, which will serve po' boys and other New Orleans-esque fare. Watch for it---and the morphed, downsized sandwich selection---post-Independence Day. Jerry's Sandwiches, 1045 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-563-1008.   How about this for a comeback? Pasteur---the longstanding, erstwhile Vietnamese---will reopen three years after disappearing from the scene, courtesy of Kim, Dan and Tuan Nguyen and Rashed Islam. Pasteur, 5525 N. Broadway St., Chicago, IL 60640, No phone yet.   When in Lincoln Park, head to newcomer El's Kitchen, where grilled and barbecue fare takes center stage. Dishes to try include tender brisket, dry-rubbed baby-backs and a grilled chicken club, along with a rubbed veggie side made from locally grown produce. El's Kitchen, 1450 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-248-5210.   Located in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Deca Restaurant + Bar---which has a pleasant Art Deco vibe, view of the fabled fountain and exec chef Mark Payne at the helm---is among the newest places to grab mussels and frites and seafood towers as well as Wagyu burgers and affordably priced, posh salads and entrées. Deca Restaurant + Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-573-5160.   One of the latest fixes for foodies is Cumin, a Nepalese-Indian eatery in Wicker Park serving modern-day renditions of chicken tikka masala and samosas as well as steamed momo and chhola (chicken roasted in a clay oven). Cumin, 1414 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-342-1414.   Yes, it sounds odd---a commingling of Mexican, French and Korean flavors---but Ruxbin certainly is generating its share of buzz. At its Noble Square digs, honed from salvaged materials, score everything from kimchi empanadas to lightly fried eggplant with roasted beets and honey-cardamom yogurt. (Just be sure to check out the bathroom.) Ruxbin, 851 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 312-624-8509.   Looking to beat the heat? Check out Jessie Oloroso's (ex-Scylla) Black Dog Gelato, a long-awaited, just-opened storefront for her artisanal line, including flavors like roasted red pepper, goat cheese and sesame-fig chocolate as well as sorbets (cucumber-rosewater), house-made sodas and floats. Black Dog Gelato, 859 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-235-3116.   The opening delays continue for grahamwich, the highly anticipated sandwich spot from Graham Elliot Bowles. Still, there's a lot to look forward to, starting with the fact that his favored truffle popcorn (a la graham elliot) will be served alongside house-crafted, seasonal sodas and soft serve. But the real meat of the matter will be the sandwiches, of which there will be eight. Look for it---fingers crossed---sometime in August. grahamwich, 615 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610, No phone yet.   News Bytes Star of the Show Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda) premiered Food Buddha on TLC. The two pilot specials showcase the talented chef ordering one of everything at a handful of New York, San Francisco and New Orleans restaurants, only to return to Sunda to create inspired edibles turned out from his own kitchen. If it pans out, there may be more to come. Sunda, 110 W. Illinois St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-644-0500.   That Happened Fast The Lakeview location of Orange is now Hang Over Easy, a BYOB that closes early. Hang Over Easy, 3231 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657, 312-549-4400.   Prime Real Estate, Found Boka Restaurant Group---the umbrella for Boka, Landmark Bar & Grill, Perennial and pending Girl & the Goat---has taken on the space that housed now-shuttered Tizi Melloul. No word yet on what will come of it. Boka, 1729 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, 312-337-6070.   Joy Yee Plus...Plus More Joy Yee Plus is now Joy Yee Plus Shabu Shabu, meaning its ever-packed space is now a go-to for hot pots as well as frozen concoctions and sushi. Joy Yee Plus Shabu Shabu, 2159 S. China Pl., Chicago, IL 60616, 312-842-8928.   Chef Shuffle Perry Hendrix has been named executive chef of Custom House Tavern, where he will replace Aaron Deal in early August. Eric Aubriot (Le Français, Fuse, Aubriot) will consult with the kitchen and help introduce a seasonal summer menu in the interim. Custom House Tavern, 500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-523-0200.   Stephanie Prida (formerly of Blackbird) has been hired as the pastry chef at Balsan and Ria in the Elysian. Balsan, Elysian, 11 E. Walton St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-646-1329.   Kate Neumann (ex-mk, Alinea and Boka) is the new pastry chef at Lula Café, which is rumored to be expanding next door. Lula Café, 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-489-9554.   Todd Feitl, the dearly departed pastry chef at Vie, has popped up at Prasino. Prasino, 93 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525, 708-469-7058.   Chef Perry Hendrix of Brasserie by Niche in St. Louis will be stepping in as executive chef at Custom House Tavern in Chicago on September 1. Former executive chef Aaron Deal has already been replaced by Chicago-based chef Eric Aubriot, who will temporarily be in charge of the Custom House Tavern kitchen until Hendrix's arrival. Custom House Tavern, 500 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-523-0200.   Anthony Martin is now the executive chef-partner of TRU. Martin previously worked at Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas before joining TRU in 2008. Chef Rick Tramonto is leaving TRU and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. Executive pastry chef Gale Gand will remain a partner at TRU. TRU, 676 N. St. Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-202-0001.   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. West Loop wine store Randolph Wine Cellars will close its doors at the end of July. A new place will open adjacent to its companion, The Tasting Room, sometime this fall. In other words, snap up great deals on wine while the getting is good. Randolph Wine Cellars, 1415 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-942-1212.   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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