Restaurant News: Pump Room (Sort of) Returns, Tramonto Wants to Return

By Anthony Todd in Food on May 24, 2011 8:20PM

- We reported on the sad closing and auctioning off of the famous Pump Room and its furnishings a few months back. The Feast reported this morning that the famous space is coming back, united with a famous chef. Jean-Georges Vongeritchen, who used to own Vong's Thai Kitchen in Chicago, is helming a new brand of hotel and restaurant, "Public," at the Ambassador East. Not clear exactly what it will look like yet or what the name will be, but at least the iconic space has a tenant.

- Grubstreet reports that Rick Tramonto, who left Tru for New Orleans to open Restaurant R'evolution, wants to come back to Chicago. Plans aren't firm, but Tramonto either will open another outlet of R'evolution or will “do my Italian again.”

- Want to dine in the park? This weekend, Lincoln Park's Cafe Brauer will be open to the public. It's one of our favorite spaces in the city, and they're going to be serving sandwiches, salads, small places and cheap wine. Wanna get tipsy and walk around the zoo? Wine starts at $3.95, according to The Feast.

- Pasticceria Natalina, that wonderful, notorious, slightly crazy (crazy expensive) pastry shop has finally closed. While we'll miss it, there are some consolations to be found amidst the city's pastry scene. Grubstreet Chicago asked for suggestions for where to go to soothe the sorrow - Floriole, a favorite of ours, was one of the choices. Check out the rest of the list.