News for Restaurants in Chicago December 2008 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 name pretty much reveals it all at Milwood Pizza Burgers & More, a Wicker Park eatery prepping made-to-order burgers, brick-oven pizzas and a line-up of 'tizers, sandwiches and salads. Milwood Pizza Burgers & More, 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 773-772-6000.   In early '09, the south suburbs will get a new dining destination in Osteria Ottimo, an Italian spot backed by Scott Harris (Mia Francesca) and Patrick Concannon (Don Juan in Edison Park). On offer will be antipasti, meat-sauced lasagna and house-made gelati and sorbetti. Osteria Ottimo, 16111 S. La Grange Rd., Orland Park, IL 60467, 708-403-3366.   BYOB to Shiso, the latest sushi bar that hit Old Town. Named for the jagged-edged herb, it serves bento boxes, all of your favorite rolls and cooked items like Wagyu and tempura. Shiso, 449 W. North Ave., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-649-1234.   Modern Italian fare is the focus at Monticchio, the latest (aiming to be greatest) option for Neapolitan pizza. But that's not to say the homemade gnocchi and fried ravioli are to be ignored. Monticchio, 4882 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-275-7080.   Grab grub to go at Nesh Mediterranean Grill, a fast food-ish Lincoln Park place with falafel and shwarma. Needless to say, there's hummus, too. Nesh Mediterranean Grill, 734 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-975-6374.   Soak up some culture while you dine at Estrella Negra, a local gallery and restaurant in Logan Square serving an abbreviated menu of modernized Latin eats. Look for chicken pozole, chorizo and corn-filled empanadas and homemade smoothies. Estrella Negra, 2346 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-227-5993.   Hagop Hagopian (Karma) is in the kitchen at French-inspired Fresh 1800 in the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, serving close-to-the-farm foods, which---in summer---will be flush with herbs from an on-site garden. Fresh 1800, Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 Golf Rd., Schaumberg, IL 60173, 847-605-1234.   Fans of that mom mainstay---meatloaf---can get their fill at aptly named The Meatloaf Bakery in Lincoln Park. Look for eight variations, along with classic sides (garlicky potatoes) and bakery items like cupcakes. The Meatloaf Bakery, 2464 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-698-6667.   Tiki enthusiasts are mai tai-ing one on at the newly reopened Trader Vic's. Once located in The Palmer House Hilton, it now resides where Arnie's once was. Bamboo patterned chairs give way to its showpiece: a Chinese wood-burning oven, which turns out more sophisticated cuisine---think tea-smoked duck---than its earlier iteration. Of course, the lineup of tropical drinks remains in full effect. Trader Vic's, 1030 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-642-6500.   Soul-warming Bolognese fare is now being served at La Trattoria Del Merlo, from the folks behind Merlo and Merlo on Maple. Here, the food is more rustic, with the scent of ragù sauce-soused, homemade pastas filling the air. La Trattoria Del Merlo, 1967 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614, 312-951-8200.   Chicagoland has another dog stand, Nana's Hot Dogs and Italian Beef, right by the Marcus Cinema. You might recognize the name: it's a sib to the decades-old Streamwood spot of the same name. Nana's Hot Dogs and Italian Beef, 1465 W. Lake St., Addison, IL 60101, 630-889-8600.   News Bytes Haute to Tote Get your gourmet to-go at Blackbird, which now offers a $15 lunch box filled with the likes of carrot-tahini salad and a gussied up fish sandwich. Blackbird, 59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-595-0800.   Chef Shuffle Roland Liccioni of the late Le Français has left Old Town Brasserie to head to France. Andy Motto (Charlie Trotter's) is taking his place and plans to revamp the menu in coming weeks. Old Town Brasserie, 1209 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-943-3000.   Midwest-bent, modern American Sage Grille now has Adam Grandt (Carlos') as its chef. Sage Grille, 260 Green Bay Rd., Highwood, IL 60040, 847-433-7005.   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. This doesn't come as a total surprise, given Kevin Shikami (Kevin) departed months ago, but brother Alan Shikami closed Shikago with plans to reopen as a sushi-noodle place in early '09. Shikago, 190 S. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60603, 312-781-7300.   Copperblue---once located in Lake Point Tower---has closed. Its chef, Victor Newgren, has moved on to Lawry's The Prime Rib. Copperblue, 505 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-527-1200.   How's this for a record: after just weeks in business, Mantou Noodle Bar quickly closed. And there's a lot of controversy behind it. But apparently the gist is the place---owned by Lissy Peace and David Richards (Sweet & Savories, Barcello's)---will reopen soon with Rick Spiros' menu (and a new chef) in place. Mantou Noodle Bar, 1633 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-772-8688.   Jacky Pluton's months-old Haussmann Brasserie is no more. Rumor has it, he'll reopen a different concept, a low-key tavern, in its place. Haussmann Brasserie, 305 S. Happ Rd., Northfield, IL 60093, no phone.   Hamburger Mary's is expanding and, as a result, Andersonville staple Tomboy shuttered. Tomboy, 5402 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640, no phone.   Jerry Kleiner plans to reconcept Room 21 in early 2009 as a regional Italian restaurant with a different name. Heading the kitchen will be Jim Kilberg (Coco Pazzo Café, Gioco). No word yet on what's next for chef Dan Tucker. Room 21, 2110 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616, 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

View archived news: August 2020 | July 2020 | June 2020 | March 2020 | February 2020 | January 2020 | December 2019 | November 2019 | October 2019 | July 2019 | June 2019 | May 2019 | April 2019 | March 2019 | February 2019 | January 2019 | December 2018 | November 2018 | October 2018 | September 2018 | August 2018 | July 2018 | June 2018 | May 2018 | April 2018 | March 2018 | February 2018 | January 2018 | December 2017 | November 2017 | September 2017 | August 2017 | July 2017 | June 2017 | May 2017 | April 2017 | March 2017 | February 2017 | November 2016 | October 2016 | September 2016 | August 2016 | July 2016 | June 2016 | May 2016 | April 2016 | March 2016 | February 2016 | January 2016 | December 2015 | November 2015 | October 2015 | September 2015 | August 2015 | July 2015 | June 2015 | May 2015 | April 2015 | March 2015 | February 2015 | January 2015 | December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 | September 2014 | August 2014 | July 2014 | June 2014 | May 2014 | April 2014 | March 2014 | February 2014 | January 2014 | December 2013 | November 2013 | October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | January 2009 | December 2008 | November 2008 | October 2008 | September 2008 | August 2008 | July 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008