Restaurant News: Leghorn Opens River North Outpost, Parson's Now Delivers
By Lisa White in Food on Nov 6, 2014 8:30PM
Photo courtesy Element Collective/H2 Public Relations.
-Leghorn, the "socially conscious chicken sandwich" shop from chef Jared Van Camp and Element Collective just opened their second location, the Leghorn Cafe, in River North this week. The cafe took over the classic Ohio House Motel Diner space and now includes early morning and late evening hours. Which means the menu includes new breakfast options. Those options include organic eggs, hickory-smoked ham, buttermilk biscuits and breakfast sandwiches as well as coffee from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. We're a little confused as to why a company that states they "solely support local and sustainable farmers and artisans" is choosing to serve coffee from a supplier that isn't local when there are numerous wonderful Chicago options, but hey, to each their own. They also think they are serving up a variety of Nashville hot chicken, so it seems we might have different opinions on numerous things. Still, if we're in the area we'll still stop by and grab a round of those delicious green chili hush puppies and check out the new digs. [Eater]
-In other fried chicken news, Parson's Chicken & Fish is now delivering, although sadly you still can't order a negroni slushy right to your door. Damn you, regulations and laws! They will offer the ability to order booze though, as long as you show your valid ID at the point of delivery. Their carryout menu is what will be offered for delivery and it includes classic favorite items like their Parsons Hot fried chicken, the delicious ham hock and cream cheese filled hush puppies and their fried fish, which we actually prefer over their classic fried chicken. Drinks include large format brews, cheaper beer options and wine. You can throw in a slice of pie from Bang Bang as well. Since the space is so limited at Parson's during the colder months (we'll miss you lovely back patio), it's a pretty smart move on their part. Delivery boundaries are east to Ashland, north to Fullerton, south to Augusta and west to Kimball. If you live in that area, enjoy your fried chicken and fish this winter. [Time Out Chicago]
-Another day, another delicious sounding new doughnut special in Chicago. Stan's Donuts have partnered up with Lillie's Q to offer up a banana pudding doughnut. The doughnut is only available until Nov. 15 and a quarter of each doughnut sold will be donated to the Katherine McKenna Brothers Foundation. Lillie's Q chef Charlie McKenna's father and uncle started the foundation to honor Katherine, who died of breast cancer. Besides the feel good charity aspect of the doughnut you can enjoy, it also sounds pretty delicious. It's filled with banana pudding and Nilla Wafters and topped with a nice dollop of vanilla meringue. [Zagat Chicago]
-Some of the first details are now known about former Spiaggia chef de cuisine and Top Chef finalist Sarah Grueneberg's forthcoming restaurant. The concept is still being decided but the restaurant will be named Monteverde ("green mountain") and is slated to open spring 2015. Everyone is expecting some sort of spotlight on Italian food in some way, since Grueneberg's career at Spiaggia has included cooking much Italian fare. The restaurant will be located in the West Loop, two blocks south of the popular culinary corridor of Randolph Street at 1020 W. Madison. [Eater]
-And the prize for first Shake Shack Chicago review goes to Kevin Pang! The "cheeseburger bureau chief" (sweet title there, Tribune) panned some of the options but praised one burger in particular and made it clear that it is worth checking the place out at least for this one item alone. Which one stole his heart? The SmokeShack burger. The bacon cheeseburger topped with spicy chopped cherry peppers and a "tangy mayo" sauce conjured up comparisons to two excellent burger's that Pang enjoys— Au Cheval and Steak 'N Shake. He also gave a nod to the Shack Attack concrete that we can't wait to try. Once the lines die down. [Tribune]