05/20/09

To the Shores of Napoli

Little Italy, Big Oven
Nella Grassano, Spacca Napoli’s former pizzaiolo, is now working with Scott Harris (Mia Francesca) on a second Nella Pizzeria Napoletana at 1359 West Taylor Street (the old La Vita space)—and the pair haven’t even opened the first one yet. “I have so much trust in her golden fingers,” says Harris, who plans to open...

Posted at 04:30 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/13/09

Whole in One

Ten Reasons We’re Excited About the New Whole Foods, Opening on May 20th

1. The new 75,000-square-foot space at 1550 North Kingsbury Street (312-587-0648) is the third-largest WF in the world. (London and Austin, that’s where.)
2. More than 400 free parking spaces for customers.
3. Fresh food venues—which Lettuce Entertain You consulted on—line the store, including The Pilsen Taquería, Wicker Park Subs, Chicago Smokehouse, and Taylor Street Italian...

Posted at 05:44 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

05/06/09

Urban Chowboy

Of Dust and Dough
The partners at Mod Pizza (1222 W. Madison St.; 312-666-1222), an upcoming pizzeria/smoothie bar in the West Loop, are obviously optimists. The 68-seat spot with an outdoor café is still under construction, but they plan to open on May 20th. “The plumbing is in, and we are hanging ductwork as I speak,” says Madison Drake, former partner at Phil & Lou’s. “The kitchen flooring will be in by end of next week.” Mod’s executive chef, Marco Aguirre (recently of Maggiano’s), has been working with Old California Pizza Dough, a San Francisco–based company, to develop the mix that will go into the sourdough-based flour for his predominantly thin pizzas. But the food is the least of Drake’s worries...

Posted at 04:45 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)