New Restaurants
New Nightspots
| Name |
Address |
City |
Phone |
| J Bar |
610 N. Rush St. |
Chicago |
312-337-1000 |
| Lakeview Broadcasting Company |
3542 N. Halsted St. |
Chicago |
773-857-2444 |
| MaxBar |
2247 N. Lincoln Ave. |
Chicago |
773-549-5884 |
| Trinity |
2721 N. Halsted St. |
Chicago |
773-880-9293 |
Coming Soon
De La Costa
Nuevo Latino dining from hot Miami chef Douglas Rodriguez will soon find a home in a huge, multi-environment riverside space in Streeterville (455 E. Illinois St.).
Flatearth
Previously reported as Organic Oven Works, this organic flatbread-sandwich-salad spot from Michael Altenberg (Bistro Campagne) will hit Wicker Park (2056 W. Division St.) this fall.
Tokyo 21
This summer, the Kamehachi crowd takes on trendy sushi and Asian cuisine in the former JP Chicago space in Lincoln Park (901 W. Weed St.; 312-337-2001).
Good Deals and Other News
Honk If You Love Foie Gras
On April 26th, the Chicago City Council enacted a ban on the sale of foie gras, ostensibly taking effect 90 days later. It's raised quite a ruckus among foodies, including chefs at spots like Avenues, Meritage, one sixtyblue and even encased meats king Hot Doug's, who are flying in the face of authority by showcasing foie specials on their menus. Among other things, copperblue's Michael Tsonton and Cyrano's Didier Durand have launched Chicago Chefs for Choice to spearhead a challenge against the ordinance. Says Tsonton, "We see it as a freedom-of-choice issue; people who don't want to buy foie gras don't have to. We're dedicated to protecting our rights as producers, buyers and processors of foodstuffs that are legal; it's not just about foie gras, we want to avoid further attacks." At copperblue, he's serving a fois gras terrine with strawberry jam, celery root, orange blossom puree and grilled bread – and on the side, a copy of a petition to fight the foie fight (http://animalagalliance.org/petition). For the pro-ban perspective, visit www.nofoiegras.com.
The owner of Touch of Sushi has transformed that Wicker Park Japanese into this loungey sushi specialist.
Fans are buzzing over unconfirmed rumors that chef Paul Kahan plans to sire a Near West gastropub later this year.
Cooper's
The owners of Menagerie have transformed that Lakeview New American into this gastropub (1232 W. Belmont Ave.; 773-404-8333) specializing in gourmet spins on pub grub (e.g. duck confit–pesto pizza, a Reuben panini with housemade corned beef and ***) paired with 50 global brews. Look for more information on Cooper's in the July ZagatWire.
The brewhouse took home four medals at the recent Brewers Association World Beer Cup, making it a golden Goose, indeed. With 539 breweries from 55 countries competing, Chicago's beer boys garnered a gold medal for Bourbon County Stout, a gold medal for Nut Brown Ale, a silver medal for Matilda and a bronze medal for the company's flagship Honker's Ale.
This Streeterville sleeper has brought on Michael Foley (ex Printer's Row) as a consultant to rejuvenate its Continental fare. It also plans to add an upstairs wine bar serving small plates.
Shawn McClain
Congratulations to the toque behind Spring, Green Zebra and Custom House, winner of the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Midwest 2006.
Klaus Fritsch, co-founder with Arnie Morton of Chicago's original steakhouse chain, has authored Morton's Steak Bible, a cookbook with never-before-published recipes and inside lore from the top-rated beefery. Available at major book retailers, at all Morton's restaurants and online at Le P'tit Pariswww.mortons.com.
This Peruvian is set to spin off a second Bucktown location, Rios da Sudamerica, at 2102 W. Armitage Avenue (no phone yet).
Uptown's bargain Mex makes an offer you can't refuse: on Saturday nights, regional Mexican cuisine is showcased as part of a four-course dinner for $19.95.
This North Suburbanite takes half off its entire 90-bottle wine list on Sunday nights.
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but this suburban twosome's new lunch deal comes pretty close: the $5.99 menu offers dishes like linguini with sautéed shrimp and mussels, as well as Costa Rican tilapia with chive-butter sauce (Mon-Fri, 11:30 AM–3 PM).
Now offers a three-course pre-theater prix fixe (Tuesday–Friday, 5–6:30 PM; $38).