Jerrod and R. J. Melman

When Jerrod and R. J. Melman say that the energy inside Brasserie Jo didn’t match the mood of the block anymore, that’s a polite way of pointing out that all the action is two doors down at their Hub 51 and that Brasserie Jo hadn’t changed since the club kids were in middle school. So here comes Paris Club, a second-generation Melmanization of Jean Joho’s beloved spot to give it a hip, funky vibe. “We want to present French food in a way that gets people really excited about it again,” says Jerrod. This means updated classics—using locally sourced ingredients, of course—by the exec chef Tim Graham, such as a frisée salad with a poached egg and braised pork belly instead of lardons. Sounds like Hub 59. 59 W. Hubbard St.; 312-595-0800. Read our exclusive Dish Flash interview with the Melman brothers from July »

Photography: Anna Knott