Fancy chefs open a mom and pop. Avondale’s version of the Chicago trend, Parachute, hits the national big time at #5 on Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants list.
INTRO’S ACT III
Bay Area vet Aaron Martinez’s “devotion to simple, bright and clean flavors” makes this Intro’s third time for three stars from Phil Vettel in the Tribune.
BRO SIENA
Michael Nagrant in the RedEye dubs Fabio Viviani’s Bar Siena a “bro-staurant,” but likes its pasta and glitz anyway, calling it a “bro-sterpiece.”
RIXCATECO GRILL
Former Bayless cook opens his own place, Ixcateco Grill, in Albany Park, gets Rick’s
Twitter endorsement for his skills.
HA-LINE GUYS
Open a chain from New York like Halal Guys, get a line out the door in Chicago. (Eater)
BROWNTR-OUT
Seasonal sustainable North Center spot Browntrout will close in two weeks, plans to go out with peak-of-season flavors. (Facebook)
SARAH’S JOHNNY’S GRILL
Pastry chef Sarah Jordan took over the legendary Logan Square diner Johnny’s Grill and is fast turning it into the new Dove’s. (Chicago Magazine)
ON FOR COCHON
Tickets go on sale for the annual pork-cooking competition Cochon 555, with local chefs from Analogue, Table Donkey & Stick, Seven Lions and more.
HARPER’S BIZARRE RANT
Harper’s slams expensive New York restaurants, comes in for slamming of its own.
THAI TOWN TAME
Mike Sula in the Reader finds “some very respectably prepared” dishes in Arun’s casual restaurant Thai Town—but also “pandering with tame renditions of familiar standards.”