08/27/08

A New Urban Legend

Rubbing the Belly

The most beloved new restaurant in Chicago right now? Urbanbelly (3053 N. California Ave.; 773-583-0500), Bill Kim’s noodle-and-dumpling BYO in Avondale. On The Huffington Post, Steve Dolinsky called it “the best first-day opening of any restaurant in Chicago,” and approximately a zillion Yelpers, LTHers, and other species of foodies have already weighed in with praise. A pair of trusted FODs who live in the neighborhood went nuts for the...

Posted at 05:42 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (3)

08/20/08

When You Wish Upon A Sushi Bar

Yeah, I Wish for 10,000 Hamachi Rolls

Posted at 04:12 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (2)

08/13/08

Goodbye, Erba

Bummer of the Week

Erba (4520 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-989-4200), a rustic Italian spot in Lincoln Square that made Chicago magazine's 2007 list of best new restaurants, will close on September 13th, according to Robert Butterfield Jr., the owner. "It's a lack of business," said Alan Pirhofer, Erba's chef. "People are being more cautious with their money. The neighborhood is changing." As for Pirhofer's future, he's...

Posted at 05:42 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (6)

08/06/08

Dinner Rush Love Story

No Privacy Issues Here

Here’s a new one on us: Hank Dreyer, owner of the new Wine & Vine (105 S. York Rd., Elmhurst; 630-832-9463), jumped up on the chef’s platform in the open kitchen during the height of dinner last Sunday and proposed to his partner, Beth Corcoran. “Beth, it’s true that I’m married to Wine & Vine,” he said, in full view of his staff and customers. “But I’d much rather...

Posted at 05:00 PM in Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)