IN THE NEWS: Chicago magazine Dish columnists Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby report that Alinea alum Andrew Brochu, 26, has been named the exec chef at jazz lounge Pops For Champagne (601 N. State St.; 312-266-7677). … Dish also reports the openings of: Union Pizzeria (formerly Wild Geese, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 847-475-2400), from Campagnola […]

Filed under: Chicago Restaurants | Tags:Carniceria Leon, Crisp, Holy Mackerel, Il Fiasco, La Pasadita, Laschet's Inn, Lito's Empanadas, Original Palace Grill, Pops For Champagne, Powerhouse, Rustik, Sushi House, Takashi | No Comments »

IN THE NEWS: The Tribune’s Phil Vettel reports that Kevin restaurant (9 W. Hubbard St.; 312-595-0055) has announced its closing after a six-year run. The restaurant’s final day will be March 1. Chef Kevin Shikami, who co-owns the restaurant with his brother, Alan, will focus on their Loop restaurant, Shikago (190 S. LaSalle St.; 312-781-7300). […]

Filed under: Chicago Restaurants | Tags:, Adobo Grill, Brasserie Ruhlmann Steakhouse, Chant, Fan Si Pan closed, Friendship Chinese, Ja' Grill, Kevin closing, Lockwood, Lumes Pancake House, Machu Picchu, Old Town Brasserie, Powerhouse, Prosecco, Rustik, Takashi | No Comments »

IN THE NEWS: The Sun-Times Pat Bruno names Table Fifty-Two (52 W. Elm, 312-573-4000) as his Restaurant of the Year, and lists his most memorable meals of 2007, including the fried chicken at West Town Tavern on West Chicago. suntimes.com … The Trib’s Phil Vettel offers his best new restaurants of 2007: Aigre Doux (230 […]

Filed under: Chicago Restaurants | Tags:, Aigre Doux, best menus of 2007, best new restaurants of 2007, Chareeb Nawaz, Charlie Trotter's, Frontera Grill, Grotto on State closed, Mas closed, Powerhouse, Sepia, Table Fifty-Two, Tango Sur, Timo closed, Topolobampo, Violet | No Comments »

IN THE NEWS: The Tribune’s Phil Vettel compares and contrasts thick-crust and thin-crust Chicago pizza, including the venerable Lou Malnati’s (multiple city and suburban locations; loumalnatis.com). … Vettel reports that Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises’s upcoming seafood-emphasizing restaurant, the one going in the old Ambria space (2300 N. Lincoln Park West) and featuring star chef Laurent […]

Filed under: Chicago Restaurants, Houston Restaurants | Tags:Ambria, Bangkok Village, D.O.C. Wine Bar, Demera Ethiopian, Drawing Room at Le Passage, Exposure Tapas, Firehouse, Frankie's 5th Floor Pizzeria, Ja' Grill, King Tut, L.20, La Bella Winnetka, La Pomme Rouge, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, Molly's Cupcakes, Mythos, Omaggio, pizza, Pizzeria Via Stato, Powerhouse, Restaurant Bulgaria, Spring World | No Comments »

IN THE NEWS: The Trib’s Phil Vettel reports that Ann Sather has relocated exactly six doors east to 909 W. Belmont Ave. The old building, at 929 W. Belmont, was sold by Ann Sather owner Tom Tunney to a retail developer. … Vettel also reports the closing of 10-year-old Salbute (20 E. First St., Hinsdale) […]

Filed under: Chicago Restaurants | Tags:, Adam's Rib, Ann Sather, Brasserie Ruhlmann, Burgundy Bistro, Cy's Crab House closed, Freddie's Pizza, Heven on Seven, Ja' Grill, Jimmy Bannos, La Madia, Nazarlik, Powerhouse, Rusty Armadillo Grill, Salbute closed, Sopa, Spertus Cafe, Ta Tong, Thalia Spice, Turkish, Uncommon Ground, Vermilion | No Comments »