Chicago : ZagatWire Archive

ZagatWire: January 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:02:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Dine	733 W. Madison St.	Chicago	312-602-2100
Hachi's Kitchen	2521 N. California Ave.	Chicago	773-276-8080
Kohan Japanese	730 W. Maxwell St.	Chicago	312-421-6254
Parrot Cage, The	7059 S. Shore Dr.	Chicago	773-602-5333
Texas de Brazil Churrascaria	5 Woodfield Mall	Schaumburg	847-413-1600

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Cabaret Cocktail Boutique	15 W. Hubbard St.	Chicago	312-245-3100
New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues 'N' Jazz	5201 S. Harper Ct.	Chicago	773-684-1472
Red Ivy	3525 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-472-0900
Wicker Park Tavern	1958 W. North Ave.	Chicago	773-278-5138

Coming Soon

Hotel 71

This hotel, which is undergoing renovations and will be renamed Solís Hotel & Spa, has plans to open an as yet unnamed New American restaurant in the spring. It will be headed by Marco Bustamante, formerly of per se in NYC and Victor's Grill in the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans.

Il Mulino

New York's renowned Italian (which consistently earns high ratings in that city's Survey) will soon invade the Gold Coast (1150 N. Dearborn St., 312-440-8888) with the regional fare of Abruzzi.

May Street Market

New American cuisine and value-priced wines will tempt Near Westers when this casually upscale restaurant opens later this winter (1132 W. Grand Ave., 312-421-5547).

T-Spot Sushi

This Japanese newcomer with a serious tea program is under construction at 3925 North Lincoln Avenue (773-549-4500).

Good Deals and Other News

Blowing Smoke

After a long, drawn-out battle, Chicago restaurants are headed for a seat on the no-smoking bandwagon. A recent decision by the City Council will ban smoking in restaurants without bars beginning January 16th; for free-standing taverns and walled-off bars (attached to restaurants that derive at least 65% of their revenue from the sale of alcohol), the air clearing is delayed till July 1, 2008.

What's the Big Idea?

A lightbulb went off over the heads of local restaurant designers, and suddenly everyone started installing hanging light fixtures with enormous shades fit for a Lily Tomlin skit. Three newcomers on the large-light list are Extra Virgin, Fulton's on the River and Saltaus.

Bar Louie

Southwest Suburban Orland Park gets its Louie location (14335 S. LaGrange Rd., 708-873-9999).

Blue Water Grill

The least a restaurant can do for diners during a Chicago winter is give them a free cocktail on Sundays from 11 AM–3 PM. Brunch-goers at this New American can choose theirs from a list of Bellinis, Bloodies and other pick-me-ups.

Harbour House

Offers any bottle on its wine list under $100 for half-price every Tuesday.

Margie's Candies

Has dished up a second location in Ravenswood (1813 W. Montrose Ave.; 773-348-0400).

Mon Ami Gabi

Takes the chill off with soup flights throughout January (celebrating National Soup Month). Three mini versions of the restaurants' specialty soups go for $6.95, with flavors including French onion au gratin, Yukon gold potato and Brie, and winter root vegetables with crème fraîche.

Motel

Treats patrons bearing tickets (or stubs) from The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts to a free drink of their choice, before or after the performance.

Rockit Bar & Grill

On Monday nights (7–10 PM), Rockit's "Taste it" series features a group of selected wines discounted by 50%, with representatives from both the restaurant and the wineries on hand to answer questions and discuss the pours.

Saltaus

Though this Market District small-plate destination just opened after long delays, namesake chef Michael Taus has already bowed out, with Brad Phillips, who has cooked at Blackbird and NoMI, set to take over the kitchen.

Charlie's on Leavitt
Trader Vic's

ZagatWire: February 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:01:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Di Pescara	2124 Northbrook Ct.	Northbrook	847-498-4321
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar	930 Milwaukee Ave.	Lincolnshire	847-793-0333
Fonda del Mar	3749 W. Fullerton Ave.	Chicago	773-489-3748
Haro	2436 S. Oakley Ave.	Chicago	773-847-2400
Kroll's	1736 S. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-235-1400
Mizu Yakitori & Sushi Lounge	315 W. North Ave.	Chicago	312-951-8880
People Lounge	1560 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-227-9339
Quartino	626 N. State St.	Chicago	312-698-5000

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Chi Bar	301 E. North Water St., 3rd fl.	Chicago	312-464-1000
Junior's Sports Lounge	724 W. Maxwell St.	Chicago	312-421-2277
Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge	1553 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-772-8410

Coming Soon

Avenue M

Chef Daniel Kelly of the defunct d.kelly is cooking up this clubby New American in Near West (691-695 N. Milwaukee Ave.).

Cathedral

Jason Paskewitz (ex JP Chicago, Sangria) will helm the kitchen at this upscale Contemporary American slated to open in 2007 in a huge River North space (444 N. Wabash Ave.).

David Burke's Primehouse

Chef David Burke (of New York's davidburke & donatella) will soon open this steakhouse – featuring prime beef dry-aged on-site in a salt cave – in River North's new James Hotel (formerly Lenox Suites, 616 N. Rush St.).

Devon Seafood Grill

This seafooder from the Houlihan's chain will swim into River North (39 E. Ontario Ave.) in late spring.

Viet Bistro

Pasteur's proprietors will open this cheaper spin-off of their French-Vietnamese flagship on the Northwest Side's ethnic restaurant strip (1344 W. Devon Ave.). In the meantime, plans to close and reconcept the original have been put on hold.

Good Deals and Other News

The Berghoff

The Loop's schnitzel centurion (opened in 1898) will close on Tuesday, February 28th. Proud possessor of post-Prohibition liquor license No. 1 and known for its fast-moving lunch lines and grouchy waiters, it's going the way of, well, most of Chicago's classic German restaurants. Plans are for a family member to run a catering business in the space; for those who can't let go, The Berghoff Family Cookbook will be published in fall 2007.

Bin Wine Café

The recently opened Wicker Park branch is now serving weekend brunch; menu highlights include huckleberry-ricotta pancakes with citrus curd, and eggs baked with wild mushrooms, spinach, garlic cream and Gruyère (10 AM–2 PM; 773-486-2233).

Carson's Ribs

The ongoing renovation of this River North rib stalwart is almost finished (it has remained open throughout). The updated, clubby decor features warmer colors, a slate floor and a mix of celeb photos and Chicago scenes decorating the walls. The lightening-up also includes the menu, which now offers more seafood and salads (don't worry, the gooey classics remain). A new facade will complete the face-lift come February or March.

Cousin's

Since chef-owner Mehmet Ak saw the light and went raw, this Lakeview mainstay, formerly Turkish, now goes by the name of Cousin's Incredible Vitality, with a menu focusing on vegetarian, vegan, organic and raw foods with some Middle Eastern echoes. The revamped interior has dropped the exotic for a simpler, more earthy look and now features a take-out market and smoothie bar.

del Toro

This hip Spaniard has begun serving à la carte Sunday brunch with choices like rum-roasted banana-walnut crêpes with white chocolate crème anglaise, and eggs over easy with Spanish chorizo, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and peppers – plus some very juicy mimosa variations incorporating tangerine, pear or papaya (10 AM–3 PM; 773-252-1500).

McCormick & Schmick's

The seafood chain is slated to open a second Chicago branch in the Loop location vacated by the original Nick & Tony's (1 E. Wacker Dr.).

Opera

Offers a Tuesday dinner deal: any appetizer/salad, entree and dessert on the menu for $25 (312-461-0161).

Ranalli's

Post–Valentine's Day, the Lincoln Park branch (1925 N. Lincoln Ave.) of these beer-and-pizza rumpus rooms will close for remodeling and morph into Ranalli and Ryan's, a casual American.

Trader Vic's

Pass the tiki torch, this mai tai maven is no more. The Polynesian palace, in the Palmer House Hilton since 1957, closed on New Year's Eve; rumors suggest it might be revived in River North sometime in the future.

Trio Atelier

Evanston's revamped version of Trio (launching pad of Grant Achatz, Shawn McClain, Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand) has announced plans to close at the end of February.

Tsuki

On Sunday nights for the foreseeable future, this Lincoln Park Japanese is offering a bargain five-course dinner menu paired with sake and wine; items include spicy Alaska king crab miso soup, the chef's sushi selection of the day and wasabi filet mignon with Japanese mashed potatoes garnished with parsnip and garlic cream sauce ($45; 773-883-8722).

A Milano Italian Grill
Nick & Tony's
Porter's Steakhouse
Settimana Cafe

ZagatWire: April 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
David Burke's Primehouse	616 N. Rush St.	Chicago	312-660-6000
Entourage on American Lane	1301 American Ln.	Schaumburg	847-995-9400
Sidebar Grille	221 N. LaSalle St.	Chicago	312-739-3900
State	935 W. Webster Ave.	Chicago	773-975-8030
Terragusto Italian Café	1851 W. Addison St.	Chicago	773-248-2777
Timo	464 N. Halsted St.	Chicago	312-226-4300
Timpano Chophouse	22 E. Chicago Ave.	Naperville	630-753-0985
T-Spot Sushi & Tea Bar	3925 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-549-4500

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Barleycorn Sports Bar & Grill	2142 N. Clybourn Ave.	Chicago	773-348-0414
Sidebar Grille	221 N. LaSalle St.	Chicago	312-739-3900

Coming Soon

Hamburger Mary's

This gay and ***–friendly hamburger chain is bringing its creative burgers – along with late-night service and a side of live entertainment – to Andersonville (5400 N. Clark St.; 773-784-6969).

Hilary's Urban Eatery

Though this longtime Wicker Park favorite was shuttered several months ago, owner Hilary Farrell is planning a fall reopening in a smaller, more upscale setting – a century-old barn (1630 W. Division St.). The Eclectic menu will be expanded to feature more health-food options, as well as brick-oven fare.

Osteria di Tramonto/Tramonto's Steak and Seafood

This casual Italian cafe and upscale surf 'n' turfer, both slated for fall openings in Wheeling's new Westin Hotel (601 N. Milwaukee Ave.), are the first planned by Tru chef team Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand's new development partnership with Cenitare Restaurant Group. The duo will continue their responsibilities at their high-scoring Streeterville sensation.

Good Deals and Other News

Top-Shelf Tipples Too Much?

Astronomically priced cocktails continue to hit menus apace (whether or not they're just for show is up for debate). Nine serves a $69 "Ultimate Margarita" made from Herradura Seleccion Suprema tequila, Del Maguey Single Village mezcal and 150th Anniversary Edition Grand Marnier that's topped with pomegranate and lime juices and served in a Riedel O Series stemless Bordeaux glass, while Entourage on American Lane shakes up a $100 "Gold Digger" with Daron 1947 Calvados, 150th Anniversary Edition Grand Marnier, blueberry puree, simple syrup and sour mix, then pours it into a hand-painted take-home martini glass rimmed with edible gold flakes. High rollers can also head to NoMi, which pairs 1985 Royal Reserve tea, among China's rarest and priced at $10,000 a pound, with Frapin Cuvée Rabelais Cognac ($700), or the Victor Hotel, which offers "Fabergé Imperial Vodka" bottle service ($2,000) complete with lead crystal decanter and 24-karat gold embossed shot glasses nestled within an enameled Fabergé egg that guests can take home. Meanwhile, groups with cash to burn might consider Sangria's six-person "Ultimate Margarita Gigante," a blend of Corzo, Patron, Don Julio or Tres Generaciones tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice and sour mix served with six straws ($70), or Nacional 27 bar chef Adam Seger's "Million Dollar Mojito" (actually a few less zeros at $100), which serves four and features Grey Goose vodka and Krug Grande Cuvée.

Alinea

For a limited time, some of this haute spot's arty custom-made service pieces will be offered for sale. Visit www.crucialdetail.com for images and contact information. The full line is expected to be available later this fall.

The Berghoff

The original bar area of the late, lamented Loop stalwart is currently undergoing construction; it will reopen under new owners, who have yet to decide upon a name and culinary concept.

Brett's Café Americain

Budget-minded early birds flock to Roscoe Village for a $15 three-course prix fixe dinner offered Wednesday–Saturday from 5–6:30 PM.

foodlife

A collaboration of Cooking Light magazine and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, the new Cooking Light @ foodlife kiosk offers Water Tower shoppers lighter options with less calories, fat, sodium and cholesterol. Three plasma screens display the menu, which features selections like chile roasted salmon, turkey sloppy joes and Caesar chicken pasta salad.

Il Mulino New York

Is now open on Sundays from 4:30–10:30 PM, when regular menu items are half-price for children 12 and under, with each child receiving a free non-alcoholic Bellini.

Marché/Opera

Turnabout is fair play at these sister hipsters, where diners at either restaurant (Sunday–Wednesday throughout April) will each receive a $50 gift certificate to the other (no minimum purchase required; minimum $75 purchase to redeem certificate, valid through June).

Mas

This Wicker Park South American offers a Tuesday half-price discount deal on bottles of wine and a Wednesday three-course prix fixe dinner paired with wine and spirits for $45.

Morton's, The Steakhouse

The Wacker Drive location's Bar 12-21 (named for its opening date) offers $1–$3 "bar bites" for the after-work contingent (4–6:30 PM) and the post-theater crowd (9:30–11 PM); dishes include signatures like mini-cheeseburgers, petite filet mignon sandwiches, potato skins and colossal shrimp (312-201-0410).

Riva

Next month, Phil Stefani's Navy Pier seafood stalwart will open a second location in Naperville at 2020 Calamos Ct. (630-718-1010).

Romeo Romeo

Wherefore art thou? Right now, nobody knows; this Wicker Park trattoria has closed, though the answering machine suggests a reopening in an unnamed location.

Seasons

Since the exit of chef Robert Sulatycky, Ritz-Carlton exec chef Kevin Hickey has been manning the kitchens of both of these sister properties; now, former Ritz sous-chef Mark Payne will assume the top spot at the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room, and Hickey will switch permanently to Seasons.

Sola

Can't get a seat at this Lakeview hot spot? Try their convenient curbside pickup (773-327-3868).

Spiaggia

Bid farewell to superstar sommelier Henry Bishop, who departed after 21 years and is replaced by protégé Denise Beckman; Bishop has not announced any future plans.

Butera Ristorante
Cork Wine Bar
Eclectic
Romeo Romeo

ZagatWire: March 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Chiyo	3800 W. Lawrence Ave.	Chicago	773-267-1555
copperblue	580 E. Illinois St.	Chicago	312-527-1200
Il Mulino New York	1150 N. Dearborn St.	Chicago	312-440-8888
Lake Side Café	1418 W. Howard St.	Chicago	773-262-9503
May Street Market	1132 W. Grand Ave.	Chicago	312-421-5547
sola	3868 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-327-3868
Sushi Ai	710 W. Euclid Ave.	Palatine	847-221-5100
Tony Rocco's River North	416 W. Ontario St.	Chicago	312-787-1400

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Bottom Nine	3330 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-281-6463
Driftwood	1021 W. Montrose Ave.	Chicago	773-975-3900
Jokes and Notes	4641 S. King Dr.	Chicago	773-373-3390

Coming Soon

Flatwater

New owners will renovate the waterfront space that houses Blandino's Sorriso, which is closing in early March, before splashing down with this New American concept in the spring (321 N. Clark St., 312-644-0283).

Organic Oven Works

Bistro Campagne owner Michael Altenberg, a leader of the local organic dining movement, has the "Midwest's first organic pizzeria" in the oven for later this year. Location hunting is still underway with a probability of Bucktown and a possibility of Lincoln Square.

Trattoria D.O.C.

A scaled-up spin-off of Pizza D.O.C., with an expanded pizza menu and "a real bar," is set to open April 1st in Evanston (706 Main St.).

The Shikami brothers

The owners of River North fusion favorite Kevin, will unveil a second, unnamed concept by year's end on the ground floor of a historic Philip Johnson building (190 S. LaSalle St.) with private dining in the sky (40th floor).

Good Deals and Other News

kal-ee-MOH-cho

Whether you spell it kalimotxo or calimocho, you can quaff the trendy drink of Spain's cafe culture (a blend of red wine and Coke that some call a variation on sangria, others a secret recipe) at Spanish/small-plate spots like Haro, People Lounge and del Toro (the latter also offers tinto de verano, or red wine and Limonata).

Kaze Sushi

Has introduced an Iron Chef–inspired "Night of the Unique Ingredient" on the first Monday of every month showcasing impromptu à la carte seafood dishes using the item in question (February guest-starred Florida crystal crab and Australian spiny lobster).

Kitsch'n River North

Come into the Kitsch'n for a freebie happy-hour buffet on Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30–6:30 PM.

La Bonita Ixcapuzalco Recipes

Ixcapuzalco has a new name, and neither Tomas nor Geno Bahena is now involved. The change marks the end of the brothers' once burgeoning empire as Geno Bahena recently closed Chilpancingo in River North.

L8

This River North Italian–New American has closed though its owners hope to reopen in a nearby space in the fall.

NoMI

The Park Hyatt's posh dining oasis continues to use those ultracool, ultrathin Riedel stemless wine glasses as water glasses – despite stemware and dinnerware breakage reaching into the six figures last year, according to a staffer.

North Pond

Romance is in the air at this Lincoln Park New American, which now offers a "Carriage Ride Combo" on Wednesday and Thursday evenings featuring a three-course prix fixe dinner (with two choices for each course) followed by a ride in a turn-of-the-century handcrafted horse-drawn carriage ($60 per person, or add $25 for a carriage ride for up to six people if dining à la carte; 773-477-5845).

Ranalli's

On St. Patrick's Day, the Lincoln Avenue home of this longtime beer-and-pizza hangout will reopen as Ranalli and Ryan's (1925 N. Lincoln Ave., 312-642-1300), a pizza/Irish pub hybrid. In addition to installing a new bar with tap beer (the popular people-watching patio will stay), new owners are adding Irish specialties to the menu and cutting back the beer list from 100 to 50 selections.

Seasons

If you need a little comfort from the raw March winds, partake in an à la carte "Foie Gras Festival" menu featuring foie in every course. Dishes include a foie gras "slider" with sweet potato fries ($28); foie gras "lollipops" dipped in sea salt and sugar ($18); and a "sundae" of foie gras mousse with candied pecans, port-soaked cherries and foie gras whipped cream ($20); available through March.

Souk

Wicker Park's Middle Easterner will expand to the Market District this summer with a second location – same name, different menu (1240 W. Randolph St.).

U Lucky Dawg

After decades enjoying its reputation as the original, favorite Fluky's, the Western Avenue hot dog house has undergone a name change to distinguish itself from its unrelated namesakes.

The Berghoff
Chilpancingo
Hilary's Urban Eatery
Solstice
Trio Atelier

ZagatWire: May 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:59:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Avenue M	691-695 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	312-243-1133
Birch River Grill	75 W. Algonquin Rd.	Arlington Heights	847-427-4242
Olé Olé	5413 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-293-2222
Riccardo Trattoria	2119 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-549-0038
Sage Grille	260 Green Bay Rd.	Highwood	847-433-7005
Tagine	4749 N. Rockwell St.	Chicago	773-989-4340

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Central, The	3466 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-880-2222
Cobra Lounge	235 N. Ashland Ave.	Chicago	312-226-6300
Red-I	2201 S. Wentworth Ave.	Chicago	312-927-7334
Virgin Lounge	123 N. Halsted St.	Chicago	312-474-0123

Coming Soon

La Petite Amelia

Evanston will gain this classic French bistro from Robert LaPata (ex Koi, Brasserie Jo) in late spring (618 Church St., 847-328-3333). too.

Omaggia

Not content to cook only French (see La Petite Amelia above), multitasking chef Robert LaPata is also developing this Italian concept in Evanston at 1639 Orrington Avenue (at least he can run back and forth between ventures). Expect the juggling act to start in the fall.

The Studio Gallery Restaurant & Wine Cellar

Coming in June to quaint Long Grove (360 Historical Ln.; 847-634-4244) is this New American fine-dining destination; located in an existing art gallery housed in a modern barnlike structure, it will boast a terrace for outdoor dining.

Table

Personal chef to Oprah and cookbook author Art Smith is planning a summer launch for this cozy New American eatery in the Gold Coast (52 W. Elm St.); the menu will feature mostly organic ingredients prepared in a wood-fired oven, and there will be gourmet takeout.

Good Deals and Other News

Buona Terra

On Thursday nights, this Logan Square Italian dishes up a three-course deal featuring any app, entree and dessert off its menu, including daily specials, for only $19.95.

Cereality

This kooky chain's new branch in Evanston (1622 Sherman Ave.) is slated to open in the summer.

The Great Lakes Fish House

The owners of Bin 36 have transformed their Lincolnshire location into this seafood specialist. Look for more information in the June ZagatWire.

NoMI

Now that it's debuted a top-shelf tea program, it should come as no surprise that this Mag Mile sophisticate has appointed a tea sommelier. From a long line of tea connoisseurs, Bou Chu has been a manager at the restaurant for several years, giving him an intricate understanding of the menu.

Pompei Bakery

Has opened a River Forest outpost at 7215 W. Lake Street (708-488-9800).

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

Will open a Glenview location mid-May at The Glen, 2601 Aviator Ln. (847-510-1100).

1776

Owner/wine columnist Andy Andresky's impressive collection of wines by the bottle is 25% off on Mondays.

Timo

John Bubala's Italian reincarnation of Thyme offers a nightly $35 three-course prix fixe that enables diners to choose anything they like off the regular menu.

Banana Moon
Heaven on Seven (Wrigleyville)
Strega Nona
302 West

ZagatWire: August 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:58:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Erba	4520 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-989-4200
Flatwater	321 N. Clark St.	Chicago	312-644-0283
La Petite Amelia	618 Church St.	Evanston	847-328-3333

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Bourbon	3244 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-880-9520
Continental, The	2801 W. Chicago Ave.	Chicago	773-292-1200
Stone Lotus	873 N. Orleans St.	Chicago	312-440-9680

Coming Soon

Niche

Chef Jeremy Lycan and much of the at-large staff of the late, lamented 302 West will reconvene at this New American, which opens later this summer in the Geneva space (14 S. Third St.) recently vacated by Chez Francois.

Sura

Look for this Thai hipster to hit Lakeview (3124 N. Broadway) later this summer.

Good Deals and Other News

Alinea

Wunderkind pastry chef Alex Stupak departs for the Big Apple, where he will engineer the sweets at Wylie Dufresne's wd-50. Rather than replace him, indefatigable super-chef Grant Achatz will add desserts to his things-to-deconstruct list.

Big Bowl

Back under the Lettuce Entertain You umbrella for some time now, this stir-fry chain is freshening up its menu with seasonal local produce, echoing a recent switch to more artisanal ingredients like kaffir lime leaves, housemade sauces and curries and slow-brewed soy sauce. It is also coaching consumers on how to create better concoctions at the bar.

Bistro Banlieue

This high-scoring bistro staple of West Suburban Lombard has closed, but will reopen in early November as a yet-to-be-named New American concept. The redecorated space will feature fewer tables with upgraded stemware and dinnerware and a new wine list incorporating some New World selections after 17 years of all French and American offerings.

Good Neighbor Thursdays

In a friendly cross-promotion, three unrelated restaurants – Carlucci (Downers Grove), Embrace and Tin Fish (Oakbrook) – are offering interchangeable $20 gift certificates to Thursday night diners who spend $50 or more before tax. Certificates may be redeemed at any of the three restaurants during dinner service on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through October 30th.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club

Studly servers in Chippendale-style "tuxedoes" serve half-price martinis from a list of 70 varieties, along with free appetizers, every Sunday from 3 PM–2 AM.

Lombard Lollapalooza

Move over Naperville, Lombard is set to be the new sequel-stealer, with a slew of forthcoming restaurants, including branches of Capital Grille, Rock Bottom Brewery, McCormick & Schmick's and a Harry Caray's seafood spin-off named – you guessed it – Holy Mackerel.

McCormick & Schmick's

Has opened a Loop location at 1 E. Wacker Dr. (312-923-7226), the former Nick & Tony's space.

mk

In a foie farewell, chef Todd Stein will offer a foie gras degustation menu through August 23rd (the citywide ban goes into effect on the 24th). Three savory foie gras courses (one chilled, one hot and one sauced) will be followed by a foie-less composed cheese course and dessert ($80 per person without wine; 312-482-9179).

Papa Milano

This red-checked red-sauce favorite has been doomed by a real estate development that will have it 86ed by early November.

Petterino's

Perhaps this Loop theater-crowd staple heard the pleas of surveyors who felt abandoned after the show, as it has extended its hours to 10:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, and to 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ringo

An expansion of this Lincoln Park sushi den has tripled the seating and made room for a "kushi" bar (grilled and fried meats, seafood and vegetables served on skewers, with some unusual items including tongue, chicken skin, taro and garlic).

Chez Francois

ZagatWire: July 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:58:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Aki Sushi	2015 W. Division St.	Chicago	773-227-8080
Berghoff Cafe	17 W. Adams St.	Chicago	312-427-7399
Berghoff Cafe O'Hare	Concourse C	Chicago	773-601-9180
Devon Seafood Grill	39 E. Chicago Ave.	Chicago	312-440-8660
Eleven City Diner	1112 S. Wabash Ave.	Chicago	312-212-1112
Fixture	2706 N. Ashland Ave.	Chicago	773-248-3331
Trattoria D.O.C.	706 Main St.	Evanston	847-475-1111

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.

Aki Sushi

The owner of Touch of Sushi has transformed that Wicker Park Japanese into this loungey sushi specialist.

Blackbird

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.

Goose Island Brewing Co.

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.

Le P'tit Paris

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.

Morton's

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.

Rinconcito Sudamericano

This Peruvian is set to spin off a second Bucktown location, Rios da Sudamerica, at 2102 W. Armitage Avenue (no phone yet).

Rique's

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.

Stained Glass Wine Bar Bistro

This North Suburbanite takes half off its entire 90-bottle wine list on Sunday nights.

Tin Fish

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).

Zealous

Now offers a three-course pre-theater prix fixe (Tuesday–Friday, 5–6:30 PM; $38).

Masck

ZagatWire: September 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:57:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Carlos & Carlos	115 W. Campbell St.	Arlington Heights	847-259-5227
Feed the Beast	4300 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-478-9666
Fiorentino's Cucina Italiana	2901 N. Ashland Ave.	Chicago	773-244-3026
Il Covo	2152 N. Damen Ave.	Chicago	773-862-5555
La Cantina Grill	1911 S. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-842-1911
Mundial Cocina Mestiza	1640 W. 18th St.	Chicago	312-491-9908
Sol de Mexico	3018 N. Cicero Ave.	Chicago	773-282-4119
Townhouse Restaurant & Wine Bar	111 S. Wacker Dr.	Chicago	312-948-8240
Zocalo	358 W. Ontario St.	Chicago	312-302-9977

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Aria Bar	200 N. Columbus Dr.	Chicago	312-444-9494
Feed the Beast	4300 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-478-9666
Mad River Bar & Grille	2909 N. Sheffield Ave.	Chicago	773-935-7500
Uberstein	3478 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-883-0300

Coming Soon

Lush

Now that the long-delayed Pasteur spin-off, Viet Bistro, is finally set to debut at 1344 W. Devon Ave., another sequel is already in the offing. Slated for a late fall opening at 2269 N. Lincoln Ave., this Lincoln Parker will serve casual, affordable Vietnamese vittles.

Nick's Grill

The Nick's Fishmarket folks will take off their tuxedos for this more casual seafood sibling in Deerfield's former Masck space (483 Lake Cook Rd.).

Shikago

We recently reported on the second coming of Kevin: that is, the Shikami brothers' second restaurant opening in the Loop at 190 S. LaSalle St. The name of this more casual Asian-leaning concept is now set (a blend of the owners' name and that of our fair city), as is the opening date (December).

Good Deals and Other News

Chef Movements

Toques Greg Lutes and Steve Chiappetti have left their respective posts at Les Deux Autres and Café le Coq, where they're being replaced by existing staff, while original chef Michael Shrader has returned to Nine and onetime Pili.Pili chef Fred Ramos has taken over at Gioco.

Ann Sather

The Andersonville branch is temporarily closed; when it reopens this month it will feature a BYO policy, dinner service and a menu similar to the Belmont Avenue flagship. A few of the old menu favorites will be kept as "Debbie's Specials."

Courtright's

This pastoral fine-dining oasis in the Southwest Suburbs has introduced casual dining in its lounge, which has been redecorated with autographed menus from the owners' world travels and the sides of wine cases displaying the names of vineyards. Chef Jonathan Harootunian's New American gastropub-style menu items ($8–$14) can be enjoyed with housemade salts (including curry, smoked hickory and nori), the main dessert menu and the renowned 17,000-bottle wine collection.

Flight

Sunday diners will each receive a complimentary movie ticket to the neighboring Crown Movie Theatre when dining pre- or post-showtime (one movie ticket per entree purchased, continuing indefinitely; to receive the deal, you must secure a dinner reservation with a credit card, then stop by the restaurant for your tickets).

Heaven on Seven

The Bannos boys have hit the airwaves with a food-focused radio show, Chewin' the Fat with the Bannos Brothers, Saturdays from 4–5 PM on 105.9 FM WCKG. Restaurant gossip, dining trends, cooking tips and food facts are all fodder for Jimmy and George, along with radio hosts Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano.

Merlo

The original Lincoln Park location recently morphed its front room into a wine bar with a separate menu of light bites, including salumi and artisanal cheeses, and plenty of wines by the glass.

Morton's, The Steakhouse

Opens its sixth area location on September 8th at 699 Skokie Blvd. in Northbrook (847-205-5111).

NoMI

Has introduced a special $6 valet rate (validated at the restaurant) for weekday breakfast, a bargain for the pricey Gold Coast location.

The Original Gino's East

Surveyors still debate whether this deep-dish chain can call itself "the original," but some quibblers will be quieted now that a new branch has opened in the original's original location (162 E. Superior St.; 312-266-3337).

Sola

This New American hot spot has introduced à la carte Sunday brunch (10 AM–2 PM) and curbside takeout. Call 773-327-3868 to order from the regular lunch, brunch or dinner menus.

Rushmore
South

ZagatWire: November 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:52:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Adesso	3332 N. Broadway St.	Chicago	773-868-1516
Amira	455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.	Chicago	312-923-9311
Barcello's	1647 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-486-8444
Blu Coral	6320 S. Rte. 53	Woodridge	630-719-8808
Broadway Cellars	5900 N. Broadway	Chicago	773-944-1208
fRedhots & Fries	1707 Chestnut Ave.	Glenview	847-657-9200
Gale's Coffee Bar	601 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Wheeling	847-777-6590
Habana Libre	1440 W. Chicago Ave.	Chicago	312-243-3303
Midtown Kitchen & Bar	203 N. LaSalle St.	Chicago	312-379-5086
Osteria di Tramonto	601 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Wheeling	847-777-6570
Patty Burger	72 E. Adams St.	Chicago	312-987-0900

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Boutique	809 W. Evergreen Ave.	Chicago	312-751-8700
Club 720	720 N. Wells St.	Chicago	312-787-8720
Empire Liquors	1566 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-278-1600
Strange Beauty Show	1261 N. Paulina Ave.	Chicago	773-252-9522
Victory Liquors	2610 N. Halsted St.	Chicago	773-348-5600

Coming Soon

Chalkboard

New American eats from chef Gil Langlois (formerly of Tank Sushi and Rushmore) are coming to the onetime Tournesol space in Lincoln Square (4343 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-477-7144) later this month.

Convito Café & Market

Convito Italiano, Wilmette's popular Italian take-out market, is moving across the Plaza del Lago shopping center into the former Bêtise space (1515 Sheridan Rd.), where it will reopen early next year with a new name and the addition of a full-service cafe.

Tavern at the Park

Millennium Park (130 E. Randolph St.) will be home to this moderately priced, family-oriented New American entry from the Keefer's crew (with John Hogan as executive chef), opening early next year. Rooftop dining will show off the spectacular setting.

Good Deals and Other News

Cupcake Crazy

More all-cupcakes concepts are coming to town, with Lincoln Park's new Swirlz Cupcakes (705 W. Belden St.; 773-404-2253) baking off against the existing Cupcakes (613 W. Briar Pl.; 773-525-0817), and a Gold Coast outpost of Beverly Hills import Sprinkles Cupcakes in the works.

Gourmet Junk Food

Perhaps you can't get a foie gras burger anymore, but you can console yourself with Rockit Bar & Grill's $18 Kobe beef foot-long hot dog; Tavern's $10 potato chips (ok, they're sprinkled with three flavors of tobiko – wasabi, ginger and chile – plus onions and crème fraîche); or Barcello's $100 caviar-topped pizza.

Atwood Cafe

A seasonal, all-apple cocktail menu has been introduced at this Loop American, offering $9 tipples such as hazelnut apple pie (house-infused apple vodka and Frangelico with a rock candy swizzle stick); spiced apple cider with Sailor Jerry rum and cinnamon schnapps; and a caramel apple martini (vanilla-infused vodka with butterscotch liquor and apple cider in a caramel-drizzled glass).

Fixture

Through November 30th, this Lincoln Park New American is celebrating fall with a special three-course "bacon and beer" dinner menu featuring a frisée salad with boar bacon paired with Stella Artois; seared diver scallops with porchetta (a Tuscan rendition of suckling pig tenderloin) served with Allagash White, from Portland, Maine; and an empanada of kurobuta pork (heavily marbled, it's the most highly prized pork in Japan) with guajillo mole and fire-roasted corn pico de gallo matched with Lost Coast Downtown Brown Ale from Eureka, California ($28 for three courses; beer pairings are an additional $17; 773-248-3331).

Hai Yen

This Northwest Side Vietnamese staple has opened a Lincoln Park locale (2723 N. Clark St.; 773-868-4888) with an abbreviated version of the original menu.

Il Mulino New York

This pricey Gold Coast Italian has introduced a wild game menu that's available through the end of the year, with à la carte dishes including ricotta cavatelli with venison sauce ($35); a half-rabbit braised in white wine with root vegetables and wild mushroom polenta ($48); and seared venison tenderloin with roasted figs, blood-orange demi-glace and rosemary potatoes ($48).

Nick's Fishmarket Grill

A more casual offshoot of this formal seafooder has opened in Deerfield in the former Masck space (483 Lake Cook Rd.; 847-412-4800).

Tin Fish

Both locations are holding a "Mom's Best Soup Recipe Contest," with entries accepted from November 1st–25th. The winning recipe will be served at the restaurants throughout December, and the winner will receive both dinner for four and a day in the kitchen with chef Colin Turner. Entry forms are available at the restaurants (Oakbrook Terrace, 630-279-0808; Tinley Park, 708-532-0200).

Townhouse Restaurant & Wine Bar

Is now serving breakfast to Loop denizens, with selections like eggs Benedict "surf 'n' turf" (poached eggs, smoked pork loin, petite crab cakes and pesto hollandaise on brioche served with pommes frites; $11), a tostada of crispy corn tortillas, white beans, carne asada, roasted tomatoes, avocado salsa, eggs, cheddar and chipotle béarnaise ($11) and eye-openers such as Irish coffee with Irish whiskey and whipped cream laced with crème de menthe ($6).

Having closed for dinner, this Uptown Eclectic now puts its head under its wing after breakfast and lunch (3 PM Wednesday–Monday; closed Tuesday).

Viand Bar & Kitchen

This Streeterville New American noshery has ditched its small-plates concept with the arrival of chef Stephen Chiappetti (who recently departed Oak Park's Café le Coq), though lighter fare will continue to be offered in the bar.

Bêtise
A Bistro on the Lake

ZagatWire: October 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:52:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
545 North	545 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Libertyville	847-247-8700
BB's	22 E. Hubbard St.	Chicago	312-755-0007
Brockway Chophouse	110 N. Brockway St.	Palatine	847-963-0600
DeLaCosta	465 E. Illinois St.	Chicago	312-464-1700
Marigold	4832 N. Broadway	Chicago	773-293-4653
Niche	14 S. Third St.	Geneva	630-262-1000

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Agave Bar & Grill	3115 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-404-1800
Bluelight	3251 N. Western Ave.	Chicago	773-755-5875
Jun Bar	2050 W. Division St.	Chicago	773-486-6700
Weegee's Lounge	3659 W. Armitage Ave.	Chicago	773-384-0707

Coming Soon

Cru Café & Wine Bar

Debbie Sharpe's Gold Coast wine bar (888 N. Wabash Ave.) reopens in October – expanded, refurbished and accompanied by an outpost of her Goddess and the Grocer gourmet market.

Fiddlehead Cafe

Taking over the remodeled Square Kitchen space in Lincoln Square (4600 N. Lincoln Ave.) sometime in October, this New American will showcase seasonal eats from chef Robert Levitt (del Toro, 312 Chicago); Square Kitchen will remain open until the transition is complete.

Good Deals and Other News

Gioco

Throughout football season, Bears fans can dine at Gioco's à la carte brunch (9 AM–2 PM), then hoof it to nearby Soldier Field, leaving their car with the valet ($10).

Lawry's The Prime Rib

The 1890s-era McCormick Mansion is a perfect setting for murder. Select Mondays through November 20th, Lawry's hosts "Murder at the McCormick Mansion," with role-playing and clue-gathering during a "Dinner to Die For." A cash bar accompanies the "reading of the will" to kick things off. Dinner follows, during which guests sleuth and interview one another to solve the crime (6:30 PM cocktails; 8 PM three-course dinner; $93.50 per person; reservations required; 773-267-6400).

Lombard Bombard

On the heels of the recent gastronomic glut in Naperville comes another Western 'burbs restaurant boom. Lombard's Yorktown Center is mushrooming with no less than 16 new restaurants, from recently opened outposts of Capital Grille (87 Yorktown Ctr.; 630-627-9800) and Rock Bottom Brewery (94 Yorktown Ctr.; 630-424-1550) to a proposed Miller's Ale House with 50 beers on tap to a McCormick & Schmick's opening in January 2007 across the street from the center on Butterfield Road (technically in Oakbrook). Meanwhile, the old Montgomery Ward space will house multiple eateries scheduled to debut in June 2007, among them Brio Tuscan Grill (an upscale Italian), and branches of RA Sushi, Flat Top Grill and Adobo Grill.

NoMI

Every Tuesday starting October 3rd, NoMI's wine team hosts "Cellar Notes," a guided blind tasting of up to 10 wines and spirits of a particular varietal or region (5:30–7:30 PM; $20–$40 per person based on the selections of the week; 312-239-4030).

Prairie Grass Cafe

Pre-prepared "Take it and Make it" meals are now available with 24-hours notice. The menu changes monthly and includes a few simple cooking and plating instructions (a three-course dinner is $35 per person; 847-205-4433).

Vermilion

From October 16th–21st, this Indian-Latin River Norther celebrates Diwali with special menu items such as minted malai kebabs (slow-roasted lamb marinated in cream and yogurt and laced with mint); nawabi biryani (rice and vegetables with marinated goat meat, served with spicy chutney and a fruit-nut yogurt sauce); and saffron phirnee (rice-flour pudding flavored with saffron). There will also be decorations – hand-painted clay votives, the fragrance of tropical roses and jasmine, traditional colorful rangoli patterns – and sparkling cocktails meant to invoke celebratory fireworks. The week culminates with a lounge party on the 21st featuring a guest DJ spinning the sounds of Bollywood, bhangra and Indian fusion beats (10 PM; free admission; 312-527-4060).

Max & Benny's (Streeterville branch only)
Thyme Café

ZagatWire: December 2006

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:51:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Cru Cafe & Wine Bar	25 E. Delaware Pl.	Chicago	312-337-4001
Fiddlehead Café	4600 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-751-1500
Pops for Champagne	601 N. State St.	Chicago	312-266-7677
Sequel	44 Yorktown Convenience Ctr.	Lombard	630-629-6560
ZKF	1633 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-278-9600

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Debonair Social Club	1575 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-227-7990
Sweet Alice	1415 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	773-227-3310

Coming Soon

The Gage

New American pub food from Dirk Flanagan (most recently at Blue Water Grill) will find a home by the end of the year in a onetime warehouse across from Millennium Park (24 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-372-4243).

Graze

Aiming for a mid-December opening, this all-small-plates New American featuring former X/O toque Bob Zrenner comes to the River North location of flash-in-the-pan Masck (35 W. Ontario St.; 312-255-1234).

Pinstripes

By early next year, you'll be able to score bocce, bowling and Italian-American cuisine all in one 45,000-sq.-ft. Northbrook space (1150 Willow Rd.).

Good Deals and Other News

Chef Moves

Blackbird brings in Michael Sheerin, formerly of New York's wd-50, as sous-chef; Todd Stein exits mk, where Eric Simmons, previously sous-chef at Bradley Ogden in Las Vegas, has come on board; Michael Dean Hazen (from the late Rushmore) has turned up at ristorante we; and Fred Ramos, of the now defunct Pili.Pili, takes over at Gioco.

Secret Seafood Dining

Bill Dugan, pescatory pundit and proprietor of the foodie favorite Fishguy Market (4423 N. Elston Ave.), now serves intimate, creative seafood dinners in-store for up to 12 guests. He calls it "Wellfleet" and likens it to an underground dining club; meals are prepared by chefs on-site using Fishguy's premium products, with dessert and coffee two doors down at Dugan's art gallery (Thursdays at 7:30 PM; $100 per person; BYO; reservations required; 773-283-7400).

Birch River Grill

Offers a holiday gift basket containing a bottle of wine with two glasses and a decanter; a $25 gift certificate; a cedar plank; and recipes for a "Warm Winter Weekend Dinner," including a cedar plank salmon recipe that comes with a gourmet spice packet ($65; available at the restaurant; 847-427-4242).

Blu Coral

This stylish sushi specialist is opening a new location in West Town later this month (1265 N. Milwaukee Ave.).

Carnivale

Has introduced a weekly changing prix fixe menu offered Thursdays through Sundays, with three courses paired with two wines for $45 per person (312-850-5005).

Flight

For easy gifting, check out its nicely wrapped, bargain wine packages containing two bottles priced below retail (ranging from $50–$75; shipping and delivery available; 847-729-9463; www.flightwinebar.com).

Goose Island

Looking for a change of seasonal refreshment? Grab a couple of growlers (64-oz. to-go, $11.50) of this award-winning microbrewery's 2006 Christmas Ale. This year's version combines a smoky chocolate aroma, spicy, slightly sweet body and dry hop finish (Lincoln Park, 312-915-0071; Wrigleyville, 773-832-9040).

Ringo

"All You Care to Eat" Mondays means a big menu of starters, nigiri and maki for unlimited indulgence ($17.95 per adult; half price for children ages six–12; free for children under six; 773-248-5788).

ristorante we

Its new Saturday night wine dinners feature five-course menus of Tuscan dishes paired with five small-production wines (8 PM; $75 per person, includes wines; 312-917-5608).

Venus Greek-Cypriot Cuisine

Offers $3 apps weeknights from 4–6 PM (312-714-1001).

Westin River North

Wheeling's new Westin is not only home to four Rick Tramonto/Gale Gand venues, it harbors kosher kitchens (one meat, one dairy) for a convenient catering option (601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling; 847-777-6500).

Wildfish

In January, this purveyor of swanky suburban sushi expands to Deerfield with a location in the late Banana Moon's space (730 Waukegan Rd.).

Block 44

ZagatWire: January 2007

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:50:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Chalkboard	4343 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-477-7144
Fornetto & Mei's Kitchen	1108 S. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-294-2488
Ginger Asian Bistro	15700 S. Harlem Ave.	Orland Park	708-633-1818
Graze	35 W. Ontario St.	Chicago	312-255-1234
Kansaku	1514 Sherman Ave.	Evanston	847-864-4386
Quince	1625 Hinman Ave.	Evanston	847-570-8400
Tramonto's Steak & Seafood	601 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Wheeling	847-777-6575
Yolk	1120 S. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-789-9655

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Cru Cafe & Wine Bar	25 E. Delaware Pl.	Chicago	312-337-4001
Eno	505 N. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-321-8738
Pops for Champagne	601 N. State St.	Chicago	312-266-7677
winebar	3339 N. Halsted St.	Chicago	773-871-6227

Coming Soon

Coal Fire

Thin-crust pizza of the New Haven, Connecticut, variety will be the specialty of this Near West BYOB coming to 1321 W. Grand Avenue in the New Year.

Frill

HB's Hearty Boys are on a roll, opening this romantic, retro supper club with small plates and live music this spring in Lakeview (3819 North Broadway).

Good Deals and Other News

A Twinkle in Trotter's Eye

Word is out that Charlie Trotter will helm two restaurants, one fine dining and the other all-day casual, in The Elysian, a posh new Gold Coast hotel slated for an October 2008 opening at 11 E. Walton Place. Trotter will also handle the hotel's in-suite dining, spa cuisine and banquets.

Dine

Now serves a Sunday brunch buffet with live jazz accompaniment (6 AM–2 PM; $13.95 per adult, $6.95 per child under 12).

Eno

Luxuriate on the finer things in life at this new Mag Mile lounge in the InterContinental Chicago (505 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-321-8738) where cheese and chocolate are temperature-controlled and served on marble slabs, with pairing choices from a 500-bottle wine list.

Entourage

Encouraging families to stop in for dinner (4–9 PM), all entrees on Sundays include complimentary soup or salad, coffee or tea and dessert.

Green Zebra

This upscale vegetarian innovator takes another step forward with a new menu of intriguing nonalcoholic beverages including dill lemonade, walnut soda, pink-peppercorn-thyme soda and carrot-ginger ale.

Mon Ami Gabi

Celebrates National Soup Month throughout January with soup flights – three mini-soups for $6.95. Single samples are available for $2.95 each (Chicago, 773-348-8886; Oak Brook, 630-472-1900).

Noodles

Takashi Yagihashi: The James Beard Award–winning chef whose background includes Ambria and acclaimed Detroit-area restaurant Tribute has opened a noodle stand on the seventh floor of Macy's (111 N. State St., 312-781-4483), in good company with nearby Frontera and La Brea Bakery feeding stations. Yagihashi's long-range plan is to open fine-dining Restaurant Takashi later this year.

North Pond

Having closed for its annual "hibernation" and cleaning on New Year's Day, Bruce Sherman's New American reopens on January 18th for its ninth year of service.

Shaw's Crab House

Runs its annual crabfest all month long at both locations (Chicago, 312-527-2722; Schaumburg, 847-517-2722), with specials including a family-style crab dinner of New England clam chowder, Dungeness crab, Alaska king crab and Maryland-style crab cakes with sides and Key lime pie ($39.95 per person). There's also a two-pound Dungeness dinner with sides ($29.95 per person).

Souk

The original Market District branch (1240 W. Randolph St.) of this Middle Eastern eatery is reopening this month.

Tsuki

Post-holiday blahs got you down? Live dangerously by dining on fugu – blowfish that is potentially lethal if not prepared properly. Through the end of February, this Lincoln Park Japanese is serving fugu sashimi ($29.95), fugu nabe casserole ($22.50) and fugu sake ($10), a piece of dried blowfish that's torched in hot sake. With two Japanese-licensed fugu chefs, Tsuki is the only restaurant that serves this kind of fish in the Midwest, according to New York's Tora Fugu Buyer Association.

ZagatWire: February 2007

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:49:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
Aigre Doux	230 W. Kinzie St.	Chicago	312-329-9400
Bistro Monet	462 Park Blvd.	Glen Ellyn	630-469-4002
Sapore di Napoli	1406 W. Belmont Ave.	Chicago	773-935-1212
Simply It	2269 N. Lincoln Ave.	Chicago	773-248-0884
Smoque BBQ	3800 N. Pulaski Rd.	Chicago	773-545-7427
Tepatulco	2558 N. Halsted St.	Chicago	773-472-7419
Xel-Há	710 N. Wells St.	Chicago	312-274-9500

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Emerald Loop Bar & Grill	216 N. Wabash Ave.	Chicago	312-263-0200
Juicy Wine Co.	694 N. Milwaukee Ave.	Chicago	312-492-6620
Kirkwood Bar & Grill	2934 N. Sheffield Ave.	Chicago	773-770-0700
krem	1750 N. Clark St.	Chicago	312-932-1750
Ohm	1954 W. North Ave.	Chicago	773-278-5138

Coming Soon

Zed 451

River North's Sal & Carvao (739 N. Clark St.) has closed for renovation, and will reopen this summer with a new name and an expanded menu with international culinary influences; it will still serve meat on skewers, but now with more global preparations – same goes for the sides and salad bar.

He's been quiet for a while since opening Carnivale, but prolific restaurateur/designer/idea guy Jerry Kleiner (Marché, Opera, Red Light, etc.) is planning to open an Italian trattoria in posh Hinsdale sometime in '07.

Good Deals and Other News

Is Robuchon On?

Rumors are swirling that much-lauded Parisian chef Joël Robuchon is planning to open a Chicago restaurant. Robuchon recently debuted outposts of L'Atelier, his New French cafe, in Las Vegas, London and NYC, where early visitors have been giving it rave reviews. Stay tuned...

David Burke's Primehouse

Through March 31st, this River North steakhouse will offer a special three-course prix fixe lunch menu sired by David Burke's private bull, whose name is Prime. The "207L lunch menu" is named and priced in honor of the bull's tag, 207L (weekdays from 11:30 AM–3 PM; $20.71 per person; 312-660-6000).

Il Mulino

This pricey Italian Gold Coaster offers a relative bargain for early birds with a daily three-course pre-theater menu including several choices for each course and complimentary valet parking (5–6:30 PM; $40 per person; 312-440-8888).

Le Lan

Has appointed a new chef, Bill Kim, trained by Susanna Foo and veteran of Charlie Trotter's, Bouley Bakery and Ben Pao.

Red Star Tavern

The Geneva Commons location of this chain has reconcepted into a "sports grill" for suburban fans, with framed jerseys and sports memorabilia, 15 TVs, arcade games and bar faves like darts and billiards. The menu of wings and sliders is in keeping with the theme, and there's a DJ and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.

Ritz-Carlton Café

Sadly, the once top-rated, formal Ritz-Carlton Dining Room has closed for public dining, but the more casual cafe is now offering a new, upscale menu of hand-cut pastas, wild fish, grass-fed beef, shellfish, organic produce, artisanal cheeses and breads, dessert samplings and a 300-bottle wine list. The Greenhouse, which serves high tea, will inherit the Sunday brunch.

Scylla

Stephanie Izard's Mediterranean sea monster makes a shift toward a broader menu that includes more landlubber fare and lower prices (with entrees under $20).

Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton
Narra
Rioja,
Sal & Carvao (River North location only)

ZagatWire: March 2007

BuzzEditor — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:48:00 GMT

New Restaurants

Name	Address	City	Phone
200 East on Chestnut	200 E. Chestnut St.	Chicago	312-266-4500
Bar Louie	1122 Lake St.	Oak Park	708-725-3300
Chicago Pizza Company	1655 E. Algonquin Rd.	Rolling Meadows	847-258-6036
Convito Café & Market	1515 Sheridan Rd.	Wilmette	847-251-3654
Côtes du Rhône	5424 N. Broadway	Chicago	773-293-2683
Hannah’s Bretzel	180 W. Washington St.	Chicago	312-621-1111
Hannah’s Bretzel	233 N. Michigan Ave.	Chicago	312-621-1111
Icosium Kafe	5200 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-271-5233
Kanok	3422 N. Broadway	Chicago	773-529-2525
KS Seafood	2163 S. China Pl.	Chicago	312-842-1238
Las Palmas	86 W. Dundee Rd.	Buffalo Grove	847-520-8222
Las Palmas	1835 W. North Ave.	Chicago	773-289-4991
Over Easy Café	4943 N. Damen Ave.	Chicago	773-506-2605
Radhuni Indian Kitchen	3227 N. Clark St.	Chicago	773-404-5670
Ritz-Carlton Café	160 E. Pearson St., 12th fl.	Chicago	312-573-5160
Stanley's on Racine	324 S. Racine Ave.	Chicago	312-433-0007
Viet Bistro & Lounge	1346 W. Devon Ave.	Chicago	773-465-5720
Wildfish	730 Waukegan Rd.	Deerfield	847-317-9453

New Nightspots

Name	Address	City	Phone
Third Rail Tavern	1133 W. Madison St.	Chicago	312-432-9107
Underground, The	56 W. Illinois St.	Chicago	312-644-7600

Coming Soon

Anteprima

A Spiaggia/Carlucci alum promises seasonal, artisanal and affordable Italian cuisine and an all-Italian wine list at this Andersonville newcomer (5316 N. Clark St.) set to open later this month.

Good Deals and Other News

Another Farewell to Formality

On the heels of the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room closing, impending changes at Ambria have been prematurely outed – meaning no one yet knows (or is saying) what's coming, from concept to timing to potential name change. But it does seem to speak to a shift away from old-guard fine dining, and the Lettuce folks, with their finger on the pulse of public tastes, will no doubt cook up something suitable in the existing space.

Chicago Foie-llies

The Chicago authorities are enforcing the foie gras ban, delivering their first citation on February 17th not to some haute hot spot, but rather to Hot Doug's encased meat emporium. Iconocolastic owner Doug Sohn quacked in the face of the ban by openly serving foie gras, and advertising it on his menu and Web site. As a result of the citation, his foie gras was confiscated and he faces a small fine and a court date on March 29th. For those going into foie sausage withdrawal, a suburban (i.e. legal) version is available at fRedhots and Fries.

Deep Dish

Northwest Suburban fans of the pizza pot pie at the legendary Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co. will find a similar version of the beloved indulgence, dubbed the 'pizza bowl,' at the new Chicago Pizza Company in Rolling Meadows, opened by a former principal using the same recipe.

Jean Banchet Awards

This year's winners of Chicago's annual culinary awards honoring original Le Français chef Jean Banchet and benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation are: Celebrity Chef of the Year – Grant Achatz, Alinea Best Fine Dining – Alinea Celebrity Pastry Chef – Elissa Narro, Custom House Rising Chef – Michael Carlson, Schwa Rising Pastry Chef – Suzanne Imaz, NoMI Best Sommelier – Craig Sindelair, Alinea Best Neighborhood Restaurant – Le Bouchon

A Taste of Tramonto

Rick Tramonto's wildly popular Wheeling newcomers, Osteria di Tramonto and Tramonto's Steak & Seafood, are purveying their own premium steak sauces, dry rubs, flavored sea salts, honey, extra virgin olive oil and red wine – in a discreet retail area, of course.

fRedhots and Fries

This gourmet fast-food newcomer will sell a St. Patrick's Day corned beef Reuben "hot dog" garnished with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing on a plain rye bun for $7 through March 17th.

Goose Island Brewing Co

Doing their part to honor a Super Bowl bet made by Mayor Daley with Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson, the Windy City's microbrew masters shipped off 41 cases of 312 Urban Wheat beer – which Peterson promptly donated to Indianapolis' "Blue Crew," the official Colts fan club.

HB

How 'Bout a new name? Hearty Boys becomes "Home Bistro," with chef Joncarl Lachman buying out the original owners, who are focusing on their impending cocktails-and-small-bites boîte, Frill, and their new entertaining book, Talk With Your Mouth Full, The Hearty Boys Cookbook, due out this fall. Lachman has toned down the decor and beefed up the menu – but HB remains BYO with free corkage.

North Pond

By setting aside $2 for every bottle of wine sold over the years, this Lincoln Park New American has raised over $40,000, which it will donate to Chefs Collaborative (a national network promoting sustainable cuisine and supporting local farmers while preserving diversity and traditional practices), Deborah's Place (supportive programs and housing for women transitioning out of homelessness) and the North Pond Conservation Council (co-managers of the North Pond Nature Sanctuary, including landscaping improvements, ecological projects and educational programs).

Prairie Grass Café

Mixologist Dan Sviland is creating his new martini menu by thinking locally – he's using small-batch local spirits from North Shore Distillery in Lake Bluff to create libations like the Cappuccinotini and Vanilla Ecstasy Martini.

RoSal's

This Little Italy classic serves up a complimentary chef's choice dessert for the whole table if patrons show their tickets to the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

South Water Kitchen

Offers an all-you-can-eat "Wisconsin Fish Fry" on Fridays, with batter-fried cod, caraway-rye bread, zesty coleslaw, french fries and one of chef Heather Terhune's famous cobblers ($15 per person for lunch; $20 per person for dinner; 312-236-9300). Also on tap for Wisconsin Fish Fry Fridays are $3 Wisconsin brews.

Tin Fish

Every Wednesday, the catch of the day at this suburban seafood duo is available as part of a $25 three-course prix fixe menu (Oakbrook Terrace, 630-279-0808; Tinley Park, 708-532-0200).

Louie on the Park