Sandy Yu and Jeff Zhang, owners of the River North's Republic Pan-Asian Restaurant & Lounge, are rethinking their restaurant. The duo is the process of transforming the clubby, zen-like environs into a farm-focused New American spot called Farmerie 58 that will debut on October 1st. While the restaurant will retain its sushi bar, most menu items at Farmerie 58 will feature locally grown, organic ingredients like Wisconsin cherries and heirloom pork. Chef William Alexander (ex The Dining Room at Kendall College) will helm the kitchen (58 E. Ontario St.; 312-440-1818).