Restaurant News: Amanda Rockman Leaves The Bristol, Farmhouse Goes To Evanston

By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 12, 2013 4:00PM

- The big news this week: Amanda Rockman, maker of the amazing Basque cake that haunts our dreams (and former Top Chef: Just Desserts contestant) will be leaving her long-time post as Executive Pastry Chef at The Bristol and Balena. She posted the news to Facebook first, along with a tease. "After three amazing years at The Bristol and most recently Balena, I have decided to move forward with my career and leave my post as Executive Pastry Chef. Thank you to everyone that supported me these last years and I'm excited to share my new post very soon." She told the Tribune that the new post would be in Chicago, and that it'll be "different" but wouldn't give any more details. All the best, Amanda!

- Farmhouse is one of our under-the-radar favorites. It's got a great beer list, a rooftop garden and a perfect location right next to the Chicago Brown Line stop. Well, apparently we aren't the only people who like it, because it's getting a second location. We noticed last weekend that a new Twitter feed, FarmhouseEV, was following us. It included a note that a new location was opening on Church Street in Evanston. Crain's got in touch with them and confirmed it. No opening date yet.

- iNG's Homaro Cantu must not sleep. In addition to his TV show, rotating menus, miracle berry cookbook and appearance on Iron Chef this past Sunday, he's also arranging a restaurant-swap with Bread and Wine on Irving Park. The two staffs will totally switch restaurants for two nights, March 12 and 13, creating two five-course meals for $120. Check out the teaser video below for more information.

iNG Restaurant + Bread & Wine / Pop-Up Swap / March 12th & 13th {Teaser 2} from Moto Restaurant on Vimeo.