Restaurant News: New Pastry Chef at Blackbird, Storefront for Pasta Puttana

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jul 11, 2011 8:40PM

- Jessica Volpe, owner of Chicagoist fav Pasta Puttana, has opened a retail shop in Noble Square. The spot opened last Friday, and we haven't had a chance to visit yet - but you'd better believe we'll be stopping in soon for some pasta-making lessons! The shop will carry filled and sheet pastas (filled pastas can't be found at her farmer's market stand) and according to Eater, on opening day she was carrying roasted beet pasta and ramp pasta. Yum. 1407 W. Grand Avenue.

- When Patrick Fahy left the helm of the pasty kitchen at Blackbird for Meg Galus' old job at Sofitel, it sent minor shock waves through the Chicago foodie world. The big question on everyone's mind was who would fill his (very very big) puff pasty-lined shoes? Well, we found out on Friday afternoon. Bryce Caron, recently of Custom House (and before that, Pastry Sous at Blackbird) will be creating an entirely new pasty menu. Our favorite fact about Bryce? He plays guitar in a band called " the (glorious) teaparty."

- Matt Maroni, of gaztro-wagon, is leaving the world of mobile food. He's announced a new restaurant called Morso. Time Out reports
that he'll be sticking with the food truck (and the movement to legalize food trucks) but spending a lot of his time concocting dishes like " veal sweetbreads with smoked tomato relish and avocado puree; wild boar belly with white bean salad." Mmm.