The Chef Shuffle (January Update)
The New Year’s already shaping up to be an exciting one for some well-known chefs, who find themselves at the helm of new kitchens in 2010: <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.diningchicago.com/2008/show_banner.php?restID=551&sCate2= target=" href="http://www.diningchicago.com/2008/show_banner.php?restID=551&sCate2= target=" _blank"="">Atwood Café will no doubt miss Heather Terhune, who served as executive chef since it opened 10 years ago. She’s moving on to another Kimpton Group property, Sable Kitchen & Bar in the upcoming Hotel Palomar Chicago, which is scheduled to open in River North in the spring. The so-called gastro lounge plans to feature the city’s largest mixology station, share-able bar snacks and inventive entrees made from local products. In Lakeview, you’ll find Kendal Duque cranking away over at Cuna. The former Sepia chef is consulting over a globally inspired menu of small plates like roasted sea scallops with brussels sprouts and whole wheat pasta ribbons with smoked duck breast. Prices are a far cry from Sepia’s, ranging $6-$16. Bruce Finkelman is best known as the mastermind behind Indie music hang Empty Bottle, so it will be interesting to see how his culinary tastes pan out at Longman & Eagle, set to open in late January. He’s secured former Gordon vet Jared Wentworth to lead the kitchen, who’s bringing on strong, offbeat dishes like smoked sweetbreads, a wild boar sloppy Joe and butter-roasted catfish. Former Park Grill and Sola sous chef Vince Zhanay is now the exec chef over at Whiskey Bar & Grill. Look for him to bring some pizzazz to the trendy pub grub menu as he settles in this winter. BOKA and Landmark opening chef Giuseppe Scurato is now behind his own operation in Uptown. With Ceres’ Table, he’ll offer a menu of seasonal and local fare such as Gunthorp farm rabbit confit in an arugula pesto. And Jack Stankovic, who served as chef at now-shuttered Farmerie 58 and Vintage Wine Bar, now makes his home in Irving Park at Theatre Café. The menu reflects more of a neighborhood vibe with steaks, pastas and a number of smoked meats. Oh, and there’s live music, too!