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News for Restaurants in Chicago
September 2010 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
RJ and Jerrod Melman, who are behind the Brasserie Jo redux, will soon open Paris Club, a mid-priced eatery with on-tap wine and tweaked French fare. Paris Club, 59 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60610, no phone yet.
Davanti Enoteca is the latest venture from Scott Harris (Mia Francesca, etc.). The Little Italy small-plates spot serves rustic Italian fare, from formaggi and salumi to ricotta-honeycomb spread, antipasti and creamy polenta boards. Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-226-5550.
Without fanfare, Parisian café La Boulangerie has opened in Logan Square, where it prepares fresh bread throughout the day while serving crêpes and delivering loaves to residences and offices. La Boulangerie, 2569 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-358-2569.
Japanese small plates concept Chizakaya is the next in a long (and not always successful) line of izakayas to open in Chicago. But this one is from Harold Jurado, who has done stints at Sunda, Charlie Trotter's and Japonais. At his side is Robert Rubba (L20). Bites include okashi, such as seasonal pickles and crispy pork with a slow-poached egg, as well as small plates that include hamachi with bone marrow, garlic and umeboshi. Chizakaya, 3056 N. Lincoln Ave. , Chicago, IL 60657, 773-697-4725.
There's a new baker in town. Cassava deals in gluten-free, cassava-based creations, such as feta and Greek olive bread, as well as dark cherry and mango-pineapple smoothies. Cassava, 3338 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60601, 773-857-3039.
Pizza man Rudy Malnati Jr. is getting into the burger biz with the upcoming opening of Rudy's Bar & Grille sometime in October. Rudy’s Bar & Grille, 61 E. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60603, 312-236-1777.
Although purveyors still cannot cook mobile fare on the road, numerous on-the-move, pre-prepped options have popped up of late, including Simple Sandwich. It prepares its local, organic sandwiches---including a natural turkey sandwich with apple-bacon jam and Dunbarton cheddar blue---at Kitchen Chicago, a shared space, before hitting the road. Simple Sandwich, Mobile, with a base at Kitchen Chicago, 324 N. Leavitt St., Chicago, IL 60612, No phone.
Pops for Champagne has opened WaterShed on its lower level. The sleek basement den now serves small plates (including house-made lamb pâté), small-batch brews and local libations. Download Remote, an iPhone app, to request songs from its playlist. WaterShed, Pops for Champagne, 601 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-266-4932.
La Tache is now Vincent, a surprising, refreshing addition to the Chicago dining scene. The Dutch-inspired New American from Joncarl Lachman (HB) supports local, organic farms and is BYOB ($5 corkage fee). Go-tos range from mustard soup to moules frites. There's also a daily three-course Dutch meal ($25). Vincent, 1475 W. Balmoral St., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-334-7188.
The crew behind M. Henry has rolled out M. Henrietta, a sister spot serving its memorable fried egg sandwich in the a.m., plus newcomers like a roast pork banh mi. Brunch and dinner are served, too. M. Henrietta, 1133 W. Granville Ave., Chicago, IL 60660, 773-761-9700.
Chicago already has a lot of meaty options, but now it has another friend in the form of Chicago Cut Steakhouse from the folks behind Rosebud. Carving its niche, the beef is butchered and dry-aged on the premises. Other perks include a carving station during lunch and an expansive patio with river views. Chicago Cut Steakhouse, 300 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60654, 312-329-1800.
A new neighborhood Asian, Yindee, has opened, serving affordable, familiar Thai and Japanese mainstays, from sushi and sashimi combos to soft-shell crab, udon, and pad thai. Yindee, 1824 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-525-4040.
Vintage Havana-feeling Laguardia's Cuban Bistro (sister to Café Laguardia) opened in August in the former Brown Sack space, serving Cuban sandwiches, Caribbean shrimp soup and a Cuban take on tamales. Laguardia's Cuban Bistro, 3706 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-772-2822.
British fave Pret a Manger has opened its first Chicago location in the Loop, with another outpost soon to follow. The quick-serve, ready-made concept---a sweet chili chicken baguette, a cheddar and pickle sandwich---is furthered by a selection of house-made soups, any leftovers of which are donated to charity. Pret a Manger, 211 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60606, 312-546-8270.
City Provisions has opened its nearby City Provisions Deli, a seasonally minded spot crafting fare from organic, local and sustainable ingredients, including sandwiches stuffed with specially butchered meat. House-made soups and gourmet dry goods are among the other draws. City Provisions Deli, 1818 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640, 773-293-2489.
The rapidly expanding barbecue craze will soon make its mark on the North Shore with the opening of Real Urban Barbecue, a joint from Jeff Shapiro (Carmichael's, Lettuce Entertain You) that's set to open in late October. Expect rubbed, smoky brisket, ribs and poultry as well as less ordinary sides and salads. Real Urban Barbecue, 610 Central Ave., Ste. 177, Highland Park, IL 60035, 224-770-4227.
News
Bytes
A Gem, Revisited
Mia Francesca's Scott Harris plans to bring back Gennaro's, a shuttered, circa 1959 Italian joint he frequented. When that happens come November, expect the family's same generations old, red sauce recipes. Gennaro's, 626 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607, 312-226-9300.
Moving on Up
Naf Naf has relocated to 1739 Freedom Dr., Naperville, 630-904-7200, paving the way for further success and future expansion. Naf Naf, 1739 Freedom Dr., Naperville, IL 60563, 630-904-7200.
Sequel to Prasino
A follow-up to success story Prasino---the eco-conscious La Grange eatery---has opened at 51 S. First St., St. Charles, 630-908-5200. Prasino, 93 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange, IL 60525, 708-469-7058.
Chef Shuffle
Kendal Duque (ex-Sepia, Cuna) has popped up at The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, where he'll ignite it with an updated, seasonally infused menu as early as next month. The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605, 312-786-1401.
David Carrier has left his post at Kith & Kin. Kith & Kin, 1119 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614, 773-472-7070.
Michael Taus has left his post at Duchamp to focus on Zealous. Allen Sternweiler (ex-Harvest on Huron) has filled the position and plans to update the French-American menu in coming weeks. Duchamp, 2118 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60647, 773-235-6434.
After a matter of weeks, Christian Fantoni has left his post as the chef at Pensiero Ristorante. He has since taken on the role of head chef at Luigi's House in Aurora. The search is on for a replacement. Pensiero Ristorante, Margarita European Inn, 1566 Oak Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, 847-475-7779.
Todd Stein (ex-Cibo Matto, Roof, State & Lake) has announced plans to handle grub at The Florentine, the Chicago debut from New York-based BLT Restaurant Group. It'll open sometime in October.
Closings
Sola is leaving its North Center space for one that once housed Singha Thai in October. Sola, 3868 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60613, 773-327-3868.
Bice closed and has been replaced by Mediterranean restaurant Medi by Bice, 158 E. Ontario St., where Barolo native Mario Camia dispenses snacks, sandwiches and burgers as well as more substantial entrées come evening. Meanwhile, Bice will reopen adjacent to The Talbott Hotel, 10 E. Delaware Pl., and continue serving modern Italian fare. Medi by Bice, 158 E. Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611, 312-664-1474.
View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Chicago
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