Restaurant News: The Betty Opens, Butcher And Larder Expanding, Xoco's New Menu

By Melissa McEwen in Food on Jan 22, 2015 8:30PM

The Betty's Sherry Cobbler - Amontillado Sherry, Rhine Hall Apple Brandy, Pineapple, Crushed Ice (From The Betty's Facebook Page)

The Betty (839 W. Fulton Market) is the latest of the spate of winter restaurant openings, featuring a menu from Rachel Dow (Avec) and drinks from Peter Vestinos (BellyQ). Zagat reports the menu is focusing on small plates like tikka masala chicken thighs and ice cream sandwiches. The drink menu focuses on cocktails with a wide range including a low-proof option, the Alfonso, which is made with sparkling wine, herbal liqueur, a sugar cube and bitters.

Eater reports The Butcher and Larder is partnering up with food sourcing startup Local Foods and moving to their 27,000 emporium near The Hideout and Ada St. The move will allow them to source a larger variety to consumers and restaurants, as well as give them room to open up a lunch counter with soups, cured meats, cheeses and sandwiches.

DNAinfo reports that the Wicker Park Xoco has expanded their menu significantly to offer more than just the tortas (sandwiches) the other Xoco is so well known for. New dishes include plates like carnitas and mole poblano, served with fresh corn tortillas.

Several One Off Hospitality restaurants like Publican Quality Meats and Doves are now delivering through Grubhub, giving further dining options to local lazy gourmands.

Geek Bar has a new Executive Chef, Joshua Mutchnick, who has a long resume including North Pond and Sixteen. He’s a big fan of Game of Thrones and his geek title will be Archmage of Fire.