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Graham Meyer
Do Tell, Donatella
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
Brik Layer
The well-loved West Rogers Park Italian spot La Cucina di Donatella closed in 2008, but the chef/owner, Donatella Majore, is back, this time with a partner, Paolo di Costanzo, for the upcoming Donatella Mediterranean Bistro (1512 Sherman Ave., Evanston; 847-328-7720), slated to open in May. The most popular dishes from La Cucina will... Read more
Contributors
By Graham Meyer
May 2010: Jonathan Eig, Tom Corbett, Esther Kang, Penny Pollack, Rachel Wolff Read more
Chicago Cuts the Mustard
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
Steaking Out Territory
Two steak-house veterans—David Flom (Rosebud) and Matty Moore (Rosebud, Smith & Wollensky)—think they’ve unearthed some angles that will wedge yet another steak house into River North. Loosely scheduled to open in... Read more
Run, Don't Walk to the 'TJ & Dave' Show. OK, You Can Walk.
By Graham Meyer
Until last Wednesday, I had never seen T. J. Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi's famous iO show TJ & Dave. I'd seen each of them perform in other settings—at The Second City, in Jagodowski's many commercials for the Sonic fast-food chain, or at the Chicago Improv Festival—but never their two-man, one-hour show on Wednesday nights at 11 p.m., mainly because it conflicted with falling asleep on the couch and watching SportsCenter... Read more
Checking Accanto
By Penny Pollack & Graham Meyer
Goodbye, Riyadh; Hello, Logan Square
Here’s how we came to know about Accanto (2171 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-227-2727). First, we got a tip that half of Lucky Vito’s Pizzeria(2171 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-292-0101) had been carved out for a higher-end Italian restaurant that opened two weeks ago. Then we looked at the menu and raised an eyebrow (or two) at the high prices for Logan Square—$12 to $20 for appetizers and $25 to $30 for main courses... Read more
Dish Flash: Re-enGage
By Penny Pollack & Graham meyer
Seven Questions for Billy Lawless
Lawless, who co-owns The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-372-4243) with his wife, Catherine Gilmore-Lawless, gave us the scoop on his new place under construction next door.
D: So what’s it called?
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Deca in the Cards
By Penny Pollack & Graham meyer
Second Luxe
The 12th floor of the Ritz-Carlton, known in the past for The Dining Room, Café at Ritz, and an opulent fountain, will emerge from renovation in the first week of May to reveal Deca Restaurant + Bar (The Ritz-Carlton, 160 E. Pearson St.; 312-573-5160), with “brasserie-inspired cuisine” such as a croque-madame and a tuna niçoise salad with... Read more
Fans of Minnesota Twins Baseball Say 'So Long, Metrodome!'
By Graham Meyer
This year, the Minnesota Twins inaugurate Target Field, a new baseball-only venue to replace the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Last weekend, I attended an exhibition game between the Twins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Target Field, and saw outdoor Major League Baseball in Minnesota for the first time since the Metrodome opened in 1982... Read more
You Never Sausage a Menu
By Penny Pollack & Graham meyer
To Be Perfectly Frank
Alexander Brunacci kept the opening of Lincoln Park’s new Franks ’N’ Dawgs (1863 N. Clybourn Ave.; 312-281-5187) quiet, despite having some serious coattails to ride—his brother, Frank, is the chef at Sixteen, the Trump tower restaurant. Read more