Restaurant News: Frog N Snail Closes; Big Jones Chef Signs Book Deal

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jan 17, 2014 4:15PM

- In a non-surprise Frog N Snail closed after its New Years Eve service. Chef Dale Levitski left both his Lakeview bistro and Sprout in Lincoln Park after returning from an extended summer vacation in Montana and the status of both restaurants seemed a question of not if they would close, but when. Sprout shuttered soon after Levitski's announcement. Levitski's former partners are weighing their options with Frog N Snail, including a possible reconcepting. [Eater Chicago]

- Big Jones chef Paul Fehribach inked a deal to publish a cookbook and we cannot wait for that one to be released. The deal is with University of Chicago Press and will be the first cookbook in 40 years published by them. A good part of Fehribach's cookbook will center on Southern cooking—as it should given Big Jones' focus on the varying cuisines of the region. He'll also write a chapter on the restaurant's bakery. Other chapters will focus on charcuterie, pickling and preserves. [Eater Chicago]

- Winter means cassoulets are popular in home kitchens and restaurants across Chicago. Michael Gebert has an amazing two-part series in the Reader where he follows Sunday Dinner Club's Josh Kulp and Christine Cikowski as they prepare for their cassoulet dinners. The logistics of preparing for these dinners during a calm in the storm that is Honey Butter Fried Chicken are mind-boggling. Bookmark this and read it, folks. [Reader Part 1, Part 2]