Restaurant News: Alpana Singh Chooses Chef for Boarding House, Falafill Open In Loop
By Anthony Todd in Food on Apr 24, 2012 5:20PM
- The Boarding House, the new restaurant from renowned Sommelier and TV personality Alpana Singh, has a chef. Chef Christian Gosselin, previously the sous chef at Bistronomic, originally hails from a family farm in Quebec, and promises to bring his "rustic traditions" to the food at the new restaurant. Chef Gosselin also trains in mixed martial arts - don't mess with this chef, he won't need to throw knives! According to Singh, construction at the new restaurant is moving along nicely, though no opening date has yet been announced except "this summer." The food at the new restaurant is still up in the air, but they've teased a few items. One dish, "shredded duck confit hash served with red wine poached eggs, sauce Béarnaise and diced potatoes prepared in a court-bouillon" already has us drooling for the day Boarding House starts brunch service.
- Publican Quality Meats has inspired raves for its food but rants for its service. Sun-Times Critic Michael Nagrant complained about waiting in line, confusion over order numbers and being "crammed into the tin of anchovies that is the cafe seating." Hopefully, things are about to change. Grubstreet Chicago reported yesterday that, starting immediately, PQM is switching to a more traditional order-at-the-table system, complete with menus and waiters. This is also great news for anyone who wants to shop at the deli side of the store, since it won't be packed with diners waiting in line.
- Falafill is open in the loop! We've heard rumors about several more Falafill locations opening in the next couple of years (we're rooting for one at O'Hare) and Time Out reported last week that they were opening a location at 72 E. Adams street. There was no specific date ("the week of April 23") but we got confirmation they are open for business. It's just a soft opening for now, so no guarantees the whole menu will be available (or even that the doors will be open when you go). The menu is still evolving, as is the space, but we know a few details about the new location: Mindy Segal will be providing desserts, there will be new fancy artisan pitas and a redesigned toppings bar.