GOLD COAST—The Signature Room at the 95th has rolled out an all-domestic wine list to better support the restaurant's contemporary American fare. Bottles range from $37 to $989 and the list has 15 glass pours. [EaterWire]
WICKER PARK—Chef Mike Sheerin tweeted out this first look pic of the new kitchen at the Trenchermen. [Twitter]
Bon Appetit kicked off a new monthly series called the BA Top 10, where the magazine highlights what it deems the best new whatever–restaurant, bar, etc—in a particular category. For the first list, they hone in on sushi and lead things off with Chicago's Arami. Is it No. 1? Not necessarily; the list is posted alphabetically.
Calling it "Hawaii by way of Lake Michigan," writer Alex Van Buren writes that the space recalls "fresh flowers and seashells, all under a vaulted wood and glass ceiling" and recommends ordering any of the sashimi offerings or the crunchy hamachi maguro ebi. Other restaurants that made the list include Houston's Uchi, Atlanta's Tomo and LA's Shunji.
· The Best New Sushi Restaurants in America
[Photo: Barry Brecheisen]
Now we know that restaurants have ripped off Grant Achatz's and Alinea's food and tried to pass it off as their own. But now it looks like corporations are getting into the game, too. Kellogg's, at Snackpicks.com, posted a recipe for sweet potato toppers. But what makes it interesting is that they posted it by chef Grant Actatz.
With June just around the corner, it's time to gear up for Wine Enthusiast's Toast of the Town 2012. With over 500 world-class wines and nearly 50 Chicago restaurants offering dishes, it's sure to be a night of indulgence (if not some intoxication).
Participating restaurants range from the classics, including Cafe de Architectes, Coco Pazzo and Shaw's Crab House to the eclectic, like Nellcôte, Tavernita, Mercadito and RA Sushi.
You may have already heard the Mercadito crew is taking over the restaurant at the Talbott Hotel to develop a new concept. And you may also know that while that concept is being developed, they're running a pop-up called PT. What you may not know is that the pop-up officially opens tomorrow.
The team is currently renovating the restaurant that used to be Bice, but in the meantime has set up PT in the 50-seat bar area as well as on the 100-seat idyllic sidewalk patio on Delaware. Chef Patricio Sandoval has teamed with the Tippling Bros., to craft a food and drink menu that includes everything from grilled pizzas, chopped salad and raw bar items to lobster rolls, steak frites and a Veracruzana-style grilled fish of the day.
In what may be the longest "we're opening a new bar" story, Hopleaf finally has an opening date for its expansion. Owner Michael Roper sent out an email early Tuesday morning saying that he will finally be able to open the doors to the new addition just south of the original bar on July 1.
The room is actually ready to go and liquor inspectors are coming in this week, but because of a 45-day waiting period being imposed by the city, no drinks can be served in the new space until July 1. However, the kitchen on the new side is complete and Roper has been given the green light to start using it this week. So all you hop heads that have been waiting to hang out in one of the new 113 seats or drink a beer from one of the many new taps, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
· Hopleaf to More Than Double in Size; Will Open for Lunch [~EChi~]
[Photo: Grant Kessler]
RIVER NORTH—The beautiful Terrace at Trump, which overlooks the Chicago River and surrounding buildings, will open for the summer season on May 16 at 2:30 p.m. and will be able to accommodate nearly 200 seated guests. [EaterWire]
STREETERVILLE—While Scott Walton's housemade sausages to-go from Markethouse were previously only available with 48 hours notice, the chef will now make an additional 30 pounds of the most popular sausages for day-of walk-up orders. [The Stew]
Bar Pastoral will open next door to the Lakeview shop on Broadway [Photo: Pastoral]
Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine owners Greg O'Neill and Ken Miller, who already own three thriving shops in the city (Lakeview, Loop and the Chicago French Market), are taking their love of cheese and wine to the next level with the opening of Bar Pastoral.
The approximately 40-seat wine bar, being designed by Matt Nardella of Moss (2 Sparrows, Flirty Cupcake Dessert Garage) and set to open this fall, will be located adjacent to the original shop on Broadway in East Lakeview in the former Spare Parts retail space at 2947 N. Broadway. And yes, the two storefronts will be connected internally.
Ever since Grace O'Malley's shuttered early last year, speculation has been high about what would take over that prime spot on Michigan Avenue. Last month, news broke that Mainstay Hospitality, the group that owned Grace O'Malley's, as well as the Chicago Firehouse, would redesign the space and open City Tavern with chef Kendal Duque.
The 100-seat 18th century-inspired tavern with gas lantern lights, coal bucket fireplace and 30-foot solid walnut bar, seeks to hark back to the days when "dining was built around an experience, not just a meal, and when the whole community gathered to share beer out of the cask." The menu will reflect the various cultures that came together and take a modern approach on classic dishes using seasonal, fresh ingredients.
While John des Rosiers kicks off lunch today at the recently opened Moderno, does he have other plans in the works? The inovasi chef tweeted Saturday that "sometimes u have to go back." He attached a photo of a hand-scribbled note that may reveal plans for a future restaurant.
The note reads like a poem: "Before...when chefs cared about ingredients above all else. When chefs weren't rock stars...when owners remembered they were in the room to serve guests...when nothing in a restaurant was done just to be cool...Before...sometimes you have to go back. Chicago 2015." When contacted for more details, des Rosiers simply said, "We're always working on future projects and we have a number of things coming up in the next few years." Guess we'll have to wait.
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"Chicago is the most creative food spot, without a doubt. San Francisco has access to greater product, and New York ranks higher in terms of actual quantity, but Chicago has the best mix of chefs and supporting locals. Other cities couldn't get away with what happens in this city." -- Graham Elliot [
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