Restaurant News: Butcher And The Burger Adds Patio, Park Grill Names New Chef

By Amy Cavanaugh in Food on May 27, 2012 3:00PM

• Lincoln Park burger joint Butcher & the Burger has opened its sidewalk patio and introduced a custard cart. We had dinner on the cute, quiet patio last week, and the 25 seats it adds will hopefully cut down on the crush inside. The portable custard cart will be stationed in front, selling $4 cones in flavors like Butterfinger, Pina Colada, Cookies 'n Cream, Pistachio, and Peanut Butter Banana.

• Millennium Park restaurant Park Grill has named Chicago native Michael Wallach as new executive chef. Wallach, who has cooked in Switzerland and locally at Weber Grill and McCormick and Schmick's, will be in charge of menus at Park Grill, The Plaza at Park Grill, and Park Cafe.

• Gene Kato, formerly of Japonais, announced that he'll be opening Japanese robata restaurant Sumi sometime this fall. It will be on the first floor of a three-floor building, and he's planning to open two other spots in the same building.