photo: courtesy pastoral artisan cheese, bread & wine

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will spotlight special cheeses and hold tastings for National Cheese Month. 

Openings

• Tuesday, 10/1: Though Lakeview’s Twist (3412 N. Sheffield, 773-388-2727) is scheduled to close due to leasing issues on October 26, owner Bob Parilla moves forward with his newest venture, Twisted Tapas (1146 W. Pratt Blvd., 773-856-3486). The menu includes a variety of international tapas, as well as old favorites from Twist like its bacon wrapped dates.

• Friday, 10/4: Right on schedule, Nouveau Tavern (358 W. Ontario St., 312-915-4100) opens this week with its multi-act menu of New Orleans-inspired cuisine. If you like the sound of bayou wings and crawfish fritters, check out our preview of chef Norman Hargrove’s contemporary American recipes here.

Morsels

Kevin Hickey resigns from his position as executive chef at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago to pursue a restaurant and bar project with Rockit Ranch Productions. As a chef/partner with Rockit Ranch, Hickey looks to open a New American-style concept in the company’s old Dragon Ranch Moonshine & BBQ spot (441 N. Clark St.). As of yet there is no timeline on the restaurant’s development.

The Green City Market holds its fall fundraiser this Thursday in the new 1st Ward Events venue. Diners can sample dishes made entirely from market-sourced produce by chefs such as Hunter Moore (Parson's Chicken & Fish), Enoch Simpson (Endgrain), and Chop Shop’s own Joshua Marrelli, or try Paul Virant (Perennial Virant) and Bill Kim’s (BellyQ, UrbanBelly & Belly Shack) whole animal meals. Tickets are $45 and include all food and beverages from 7 to 10 p.m. (cash bar starts at 10). This is part of the location’s staggered opening; the restaurant/bar/butcher shop combo Chop Shop is expected to kick off business in the adjoining space in the next few weeks.

The award-winning Willow Spring restaurant Courtright’s (8989 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs, 708-839-8000) will close on December 31st. Proprietors William and Rebecca Courtright announced the closing along with their retirement on Friday in a press release, in which they thanked customers for an “adventure well lived.”

October is National Cheese Month, and Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine (all locations) is celebrating by hosting a medley of tastings, in store and online specials, menu items and dinners. Click here for a complete schedule of events.