Chicago

Outtake of the Week

2010-03-19T22:00:00Z

Open all night and tastes like it.

New Restaurants and Bars Near Wrigley Field

2010-03-19T21:14:00Z

Hearty is among the new dining options near Wrigley Field.

Photo: stevenjohnsonphotography

Wrigleyville will soon be teeming with boisterous baseball fans again – the Chicago Cubs play their first home game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 12. And if you're looking to celebrate the new season with new food and drink options, here are some restaurants and bars near Wrigley Field that opened in the past year.

Restaurants

Crêpe Town

3915 N. Sheridan Rd. (Dakin St.)

Phone: 773-248-8844

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	I

Creative savory, sweet and breakfast crêpes make for budget-friendly bites at this upscale-casual Lakeview counter-service storefront with bright, modern decor in gray and green; you can take out or grab a table, where you can BYO or enjoy a smoothie or coffee drink to go with your eats.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Cuna

1113 W. Belmont Ave. (bet. Clifton & Seminary Aves.)

Phone: 312-224-8588

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	M

The affordable menu at this Lakeview Eclectic gently globe-hops from mini¸pork belly sandwiches to grilled Amish chicken (plus two levels of tasting menus), with an equally diverse range of wines and specialty cocktails; set in a former art gallery, the hip, architectural space blends brick and concrete, space-age red scoop barstools, Pop Art, water sculpture and a loungey den.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Hearty

3819 N. Broadway (Grace St.)

Phone: 773-868-9866; reserve online

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	M

Food Network stars The Hearty Boys offer their New American take on comfort food (e.g. lobster pot pie, root-beer-BBQ pulled-pork sandwich) along with midpriced wines and fun cocktails at this funky Wrigleyville haunt serving dinner and brunch; the interior features exposed brick and bright walls, glass artwork and a mahogany and tile bar, and outdoors there's garden dining in season.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Rockit Bar & Grill

3700 N. Clark St. (W. Waveland Ave.)

Phone: 773-645-4400

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
19	17	17	$28

A "fun" "30-and-under" crowd of "frat" types and "eye candy in skimpy outfits" convenes at this "rockin'" River North Traditional American "sandwich-and-easy-meal place", a "much-needed happy-hour destination" and "pre-partying" staging area with "above-average bar food" and a Bloody Mary cart that's becoming "one of the great Chicago brunch traditions"; diners who "don't quite understand all the hubbub" are "disappointed by the food" and "overpriced drinks", and say the staff is sometimes "overwhelmed"; N.B. the Wrigleyville branch opened post-Survey.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Nightlife

Purple Haze

3415 N. Clark St. (Roscoe Ave.)

Phone: 773-975-6677

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	M

The folks behind Wrigleyville's Risqué Café have gone as far as next door to set up this latest venture, a plummy hang serving basic booze alongside customizable burgers and wings; prices are always moderate, but the rotating rock-bottom specials (like half-off everything on Sundays and $5 pitchers on Wednesdays) ensure that the coed-heavy crowd stays in a permanent haze.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Rockwood Place

3466 N. Clark St. (Cornelia Ave.)

Phone: 773-880-2222

Food	Decor	Service	Cost
-	-	-	M

Craft whiskeys and canned beer are the tipples of choice at this Wrigleyville faux dive–***-roadhouse with knotty wood paneling, velvet flocked wallpaper, dark leather booths and, for entertainment value, 25 plasmas and a small stage that occasionally hosts country and rock acts; there's also a roster of moderately priced microbrews, plus cones of snacks such as cheese curds, chicken fingers, fries and more.

Key to Zagat Ratings

Dining News Elsewhere: Organic Sales Flat, Bad News for Bluefin

2010-03-19T16:40:00Z

– Michelle Obama's obesity initiative has sent some food companies scrambling. [Atlantic]
– Organic food sales may have hit their peak. [Reuters]
– Bad news for bluefin tuna from the U.N. [Atlantic]

– McDonald's is contemplating $1 drinks. [WSJ]
– The Yelp extortion class-action lawsuit gains nine more businesses. [Eater]
– Country ham, the new bacon? [Salon]
– Cheese is trendy now. [AP]
– Ostrich eggs for Easter? [Daily Mail]
– Foods the chef loves may not sell well. [P-G]
– Here's hoping that Obama's second state dinner goes better than the first. [Obama Foodorama]
– Top Chef, the tour. [GS: P]
– Ruth Reichl is in on the joke. [Eater]
– What will the first Indian astronauts eat? [DNA, via ColdMud]

Hot Dog! The Publican Adds an Afternoon Sausage

2010-03-18T16:27:00Z

The Publican

Photo: Bob Briskey

Just in time for baseball season (the home opener is April 12 vs. Milwaukee), West Loop’s The Publican has launched a beef short-rib sausage served with Dijon mustard and bread-and-butter pickles. The dish is offered Monday through Saturday afternoons from 3:30–5:30 PM for $2. Sounds like the perfect afternoon snack (312-733-9555).

Graham Elliot Bowles Sets Place for Grahamwich

2010-03-17T18:31:00Z

New details about grahamwich, a new sandwich, snacks and soft-serve joint from Graham Elliot Bowles keep emerging. The chef (who is set to appear on the second season of Top Chef Masters in April) took to Twitter yesterday to announce that newcomer, which is aiming to open mid-spring and will be located at 615 N. State St. Consider yourself forewarned.

Dining News Elsewhere: Free Food Fills Coffers, Florida's Freeze Fallout

2010-03-17T16:08:00Z

– Why all the food giveaways lately? They're good for business. [WSJ]
– New York restaurateurs are nonplussed that the city is really going to force them to display health-score letter grades. [Eater]
– Fallout from Florida's winter freeze won't stop until mid-April. [NRN]

– Praising the restaurant critic. [Time]
– Starbucks will soon offer the ability to completely customize their Frappuccinos. [WSJ]
– Related: the Times' exclusive deal with the coffee chain is over. [AdAge]
– The potato industry is ready for America's decreasing taste for french fries. [The Star]
– Calorie counts loom in Illinois. [S-T]
– Foodies on food stamps. [Salon]
– Restaurant trends that have to go. [Eater]
– What goes into your OJ might surprise you. [Culinate]
– Top Chef's Marcel Vigneron is getting a show on SyFy. [EMD]
– Not content with a menu in Toronto, Wilco gets a beer too. [The Stew]
– One woman's dream to weigh 1,000 lbs. [Gothamist]

Dee's Place Offers BYO in Wicker Park

2010-03-16T14:42:00Z

Not to be confused with Dee’s in Lincoln Park, the neighborhood storefront BYO Dee's Place in Wicker Park dishes up hearty, inexpensive Southern and soul-food classics (barbecue from the house pit, fried chicken and catfish, greens, mac ’n’ cheese); the funky, casual setting hosts a variety of weekend entertainment, including movies and live jazz and blues.

2114 W. Division St.; 312-348-6117

Visited Dee's Place? Write a review
See more new restaurants in Chicago

Corner 41 Comes to North Center

2010-03-15T21:01:00Z

Corner 41

Cy's Steak & Chop House in North Center has been rebranded as Corner 41, a neighborhood resto-tap proffering the sort of upscale yet approachably priced menu (salads, lobster burger, lollipop pork chops) that resonates with young professionals, who stop by for post-work drafts at the bar or nibbles at the clothed tables; dramatic copper lighting and exposed brick and ductwork set a sexy yet casual tone; N.B. its predecessor’s winning ribs remain on offer.

4138 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-327-3500

Entered Corner 41? Write a review
See more new nightlife in Chicago

UNICEF's Tap Project Returns!

2010-03-15T17:47:00Z

From March 21–27 (aka World Water Week), the UNICEF Tap Project is coming to a restaurant near you, offering diners a chance to give water to children in need while enjoying a nice meal. Here's how to get involved: during that time, donate $1 (or more) for the tap water you normally drink for free at hundreds of participating restaurants. By doing so, you'll be helping provide children around the world with safe, clean water. You can also donate online or by texting "TAP" to UNICEF (864233) to contribute $5. Before you head out, be sure to peruse our handy guide to participating restaurants, complete with ratings and reviews. To learn more about the UNICEF Tap Project, click here.

Dining News Elsewhere: Gordo Owes, Chile's Wine Woes

2010-03-15T17:38:00Z

– Gordon Ramsay, always in the news, is picking up the pieces of a bad year – and owing the taxman. [Guardian, DR]
– The Chilean wine industry continues to take stock. [WSJ]
– Oh, no! Gloucestershire's annual cheese rolling has been canceled due to health and safety fears. [Guardian, via EMD]

– The anti-HFCS campaign hits success with the return of sugar in products like ketchup and Gatorade. [Ad Age]
– It isn't just about making healthy foods cheaper – you have to make the junk more expensive. [NPR]
– NYC restaurants are turning their expansions toward DC. [WBJ]
– For love of shad roe. [WSJ]
– Bobby Flay heads to prime time. [Eater]
– Gross: 13,780 lbs. of spaghetti. [KTLA]
– How to annoy your server. [CNN]
– A McDonald's that doesn't serve food? [Jaunted]

Outtake of the Week

2010-03-12T23:30:00Z

Horrible waitress, awesome nachos!

Publican, The Bristol and Longman & Eagle Love Pork

2010-03-12T22:56:00Z

Longman & Eagle's rolled poached pig's head

Photo: courtesy of the restaurant

Hog-heavy specials have been popping up like mad in Chicago restaurants, proving our city is no exception to the nation's growing obsession with all things pork. If these menu items have you salivating, be sure to call ahead to find out if they're available.

In addition to its usual selection of artisanal American craft hams, The Publican in the West Loop has been curing a Slagel Family Farm leg in salt and roasting it. The finished ham sports a light smokiness and is served sliced with goat butter and peasant bread (312-733-9555).

Chef Chris Pandel at Bucktown’s The Bristol has been serving zampone, cotechino sausage–stuffed trotters braised in pork stock and then sliced and fried. The dish is served with housemade Goose Island beer mustard, grilled frisée and a sherry vinegar–bacon vinaigrette (773-862-5555).

Longman & Eagle chef Jared Wentworth has created a rolled poached pig’s head accompanied by stinging nettles, shaved apples, winter ramps, fried quail egg and mustard sauce (773-276-7110).

On a related note, April 10th's Baconfest Chicago tickets may have sold out in 10 minutes flat last Thursday, but there's still a way to get in on the fatty festivities. One of the sponsors, Nueske's Bacon from Wittenberg, WI, is putting on an amateur bacon cook-off – those interested should send in an original dish description and photo, and contestants with the top five entries get free tickets to the sold-out event. But be prepared to work: competitors will serve samples to judges at the event, and a winner will be awarded later that evening. The deadline for entries is March 18, so get cooking! See more info here.

Zagat To Go, Now on Palm webOS

2010-03-12T20:33:00Z

Zagat To Go for the Palm webOS

Zagat released its mobile application, Zagat To Go (ZTG), for the Palm webOS. Similar to ZTG for the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry, the webOS application works with the Palm Pre, Pixi and Pre Plus and includes the ability to use GPS to find nearby restaurants; sorting by food, decor, service and cost; instant reservations; and browsing top-rated lists. Zagat To Go is available through the webOS app catalog for $9.99.

Dining News Elsewhere: Making a Food Celebrity, Whale Tasting

2010-03-12T19:14:00Z

– Another week, another story on how to make a food celebrity. In this case, Katie Lee. [NYT]
– It isn't just tomatoes suffering – the cold in Florida means OJ prices are about to rise. [Reuters]
– The LA restaurant accused of serving whale meat admits to the charge. [LAT]

– Related: ever wonder what whale tastes like? [Slate]
– The next season of Top Chef will shoot in Washington, DC. [WP]
– Related: Bravo has another cooking show up its sleeve, Around the World in 80 Plates. [Bravo]
– Just like New York, Paris has fancy restaurants popping into its museums. [NYT]
– A Boston bar is selling the right to sit during Red Sox games. [Deadspin]
– Is the butcher backlash on? [Salon]
– Make a sandwich with Lady Gaga in her latest video. [GS: B]
– Breathable chocolate. Want a hit? [BH]
– Top Chef gets the porn treatment. [Eater]

Specials at Pizzeria and Osteria Via Stato

2010-03-11T21:57:00Z

Osteria Via Stato

Lettuce Entertain You's Pizzeria Via Stato would like to offer you a nightcap of sorts. Monday–Friday, the restaurant's wood-fired pizzas are all half-off from 9:30–11 PM. Think about it: pizza does go down easier than scotch... (312-337-6634).

Slightly less exciting, but no less generous, Pizzeria's sibling, Osteria Via Stato, will be serving a complimentary housemade zeppole on St. Joseph’s Day (that'd be Friday, March 19) to diners who purchase an entree during regular hours (5–11 PM; 312-642-8450; reserve online).