Quick Bites
- We really, really, wish we'd come up with the phrase "amuse-douche." Nicely done, Menupages.
- Chef Frank Brunacci is going to be at the helm of the restaurant in the yet-to-be-completed Trump tower. Michael Nagrant interviewed him and says he's "more of a haute comfort food purveyor than a food scientist," even though he likes to sling "shark bacon and olive oil ice cream." Check out the podcast here.
- File this under things we are pumped about. Chicagoist favorite Lula Cafe is opening a Pilsen outpost in Spring 2008. Current Lula chef de cuisine Jason Vincent will be running the yet-to-be-named spot. He told TOC (in regards to what type of food the new place will be serving up) "we’re obviously going to keep the seasonal platform, which is at the core of what we do, what everyone really should be doing, but allows us to be more eclectic and experiment more with flavors." We can't wait to try it.
- John Bubala just can't win. First, Thyme Cafe closes. Then Thyme changes to Timo. Then Baccalao opens up in the Thyme Cafe spot... and then closes. And now Dish is reporting that he'll be closing Timo as well. Last chance to dine at the West Loop restaurant is New Years.
- Finally, food bloggers of the world, get ready. Chez Pim's annual fundraiser Menu For Hope is kicking off shortly. There's still time to find an item to auction off (all proceeds benefit the UN World Food Programme.