Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready." /> Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready." /> Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready." />
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No New Nella
By Penny Pollack & Graham meyer
Re-Tayloring
Change of plans: What was slated to be the second location of Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready. Read more
Gilt Trip
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
A First Look at Gilt Bar
Some trusted FODs checked out Gilt Bar (230 W. Kinzie St.; 312-464-9544), the new American restaurant in the good-food–short-tenure space across from the Merchandise Mart (Aigre Doux, Pili Pili, Havana Club), when it opened Tuesday night. Here’s their report: Read more
Fire Starter
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
Pollack’s Dinner at Prairie Fire in 145 Words
As I pushed through the door and heard the buzz at the bar, I thought, Please don’t let Prairie Fire (215 N. Clinton St.; 312-382-8300) be just another scene designed for noise junkies. Phew. It wasn’t bad at all. The crowd was more happy than hipster and never threatened my audio comfort zone. The one-week-old Prairie Grass sib doesn’t break much new ground but keeps its... Read more
Weekend Photos: Small Bar opens in Lincoln Park
If you build it, it will open. After months of renovations and waiting on licenses, Chicago's third Small Bar, on Fullerton Avenue, launched with relatively little fanfare last week. Our photographer stopped by Saturday night to snap the not-so-small space. Also not so small? The burger, whose Division Street sibling we... Read more
Eggstra, Eggstra
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
24-7-365-Forever
A 230-seat all-night diner downtown: Really? “Yes,” says Peter Sakoufakis, the owner of Eggsperience (35 W. Ontario St.; 312-870-6773). “We opened Monday morning [February 8th] at 6 a.m., and we’re never closing after that. We’re throwing away the key.” The last two inhabitants of the bright River North corner space—Masck and Graze—were... Read more
A Little Trendy: NY Gift Fair
 

The name of the game for covering the New York International Gift Fair is not just what’s new—but hedging your bets (and byline) on what’s next. I remember covering my first show for Chicago Home + Garden in 2008. After combing the football field–sized scores of floors, I rang the office to weigh in on my trend declaration! Hey, breaking news—“peace sign = the new owl,” “mushrooms are the new birds,” “metallic is the new black.” And boy, do we LOVE when we’re right! This show, the BIGGEST news was SMALLS. Jonathan Adler introduced more than 200 new products this season including Jonathan Adler Junior. Diminutive and witty little versions of his furniture and furnishings for only the coolest kiddos. We heart the idea of buying a teeny alpaca throw,  included Oly Petite Seating—tables and shelves too! Look for them this spring at Jayson Home & Garden. Little Nest had the most mod of the minis, replicas of iconic favorites scaled down to suit “budding design enthusiasts” (see photo). Stay tuned so we can share their imminent whereabouts here in town. Garden spot Sprout was ahead of the game with its recycled outdoor offerings from Iman, look for them in our March-April issue.

—Barri Leiner Grant

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Make It Mondrian
By Lisa Skolnik
Walls of windows and smart design give a mid-century split-level a boldly modern new look Read more
Pocket Editions
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
Tomorrow, the World!
Maher Chebaro and Nemer Ziyad, the co-owners of dress-your-own-pita spot Falafill (3202 N. Broadway; 773-525-0052), are planning an empire—a chain of Falafills bringing fried chickpeas to the masses. “We are trying to do maybe five this year,” says Chebaro, who is also the... Read more