“I don’t call myself the brewmaster,” says Pete Crowley, a Rock Bottom vet and co-owner of the new Haymarket Pub & Brewery in the West Loop (also, the new home of Drinking & Writing). “I call myself the director of fermentation…
The new West Loop cocktail lounge also features classic, uncontrived French cooking
Mango (1995–2000) was one of those restaurants that everyone liked while it was open and loved after it closed. George Guggeis, who owned Mango, is back a decade later and 40 miles to the west. Bistro One West, his converted factory space on the banks of the Fox River, will boast a similar American bistro–style, … Read more
Nothing beats back winter’s chill better than a comforting dose of Grandma’s cooking. But if you don’t have a nonna, bubbe, yia-yia, or granny handy, head over to West Rogers Park and check out Deta Lekic’s cozy BYO. Her dining room has all the requisite accouterments: patterned curtains, plastic-covered tablecloths, family portraits, and photos from … Read more
Togarashi-seared tuna at Arami At Japanese restaurants, we know the drill: ginger, wasabi, a baby pitcher of soy sauce, and a little dish to mix your own concoction of same. But at Arami, there’s a sizable polished stone in that little dish, and it takes up about half the real estate available for your dipping … Read more
Former Mado couple open new Noble Square BYO
As a newcomer to Ravenswood, I eyed the crisp brown awning at the corner of Wolcott and Montrose all last summer and fall, wondering what the story might be behind those papered windows and the city-issued notices posted on the door—and why Wolcott’s, the project in progress inside, had come to a standstill…
Although Eve sunsetted over New Year’s weekend, the new restaurant in the space slated for February 1st is Bistronomic (840 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-944-8400), the brainchild of the chef Martial Noguier (One Sixtyblue, Café des Architectes), who is partnering with Matt Fisher—who owned Eve—and John Ward. (The 312 Dining Diva got someone to spill the beans about it.) For a while now, Noguier has wanted to have an inexpensive modern bistro with good, uncomplicated food like what was on Café des Architectes’ neighborhood menu. He talked to us on December 29th about his plans for Bistronomic.
The Heart of the Matto
The head kitchen position at Cibo Matto…
Last week, when it was a bizarre but welcome 52 degrees outside, The Creative Director and I went on a Parisian minibreak in Chicago’s Gold Coast. I had a coupon for a one-night stay at the Sofitel that was about to expire, so we folded a few things into the vintage leather valise that TCD’s mother had just given him for Christmas and took the Red Line downtown…
