Al Primo Canto
5414 W. Devon Ave.; 773-631-0100
Brazilian steakhouses? Those are, like, so 2003. The latest all-you-can-eat concept to migrate from South America is the galeteria. Think of it as the poultry version of beef-focused churrascarias — sort of like Brazzaz and Fogo de Chao without waiters in gaucho pants. For $29, you sit back and let the feast come to you. First courses include pao de queijo (Parmigiano-Reggiano-infused bread), spaghettini with a choice of sauces (aioli, marinara or mushroom), and sides such as fried polenta and crunchy potatoes (boiled, fried and served with a gorgonzola cream). Meat dishes include the namesake galeto al primo canto (small, young chicken), roasted in an imported, brick-lined oven. Need more? Leg of lamb and beef tenderloin are also included in the price.
More Top Picks Weighted Blankets For Kids Benefits And Safety Rules
Trattoria Trullo
4767 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-506-0093
Chef-owner Giovanni DeNigris has reopened his Puglia-inspired Italian restaurant in Lincoln Square in the short-lived GP Franklin’s address. (Trattoria Trullo’s original Evanston location closed in March to make way for new construction.) This outpost has added perks, namely a retail area featuring grocery imports from Puglia (pronounced POOL-lee-ah). Later this summer, look for DeNigris to serve as executive chef and partner at the more sceney Macello (1235 W. Lake St.) in the Warehouse District, with business partner-designer Frank DiBuglione. Macello (which roughly translates to “slaughterhouse,” or in some contexts, say owners, “craziness”) will offer quick-serve gourmet deli-style service in front and a dining room in back. In addition to the house specialty, scodella di creta (sort of like Italian version of a casserole), there will be a “pizza guy” entertaining the crowds by tossing dough for wood-fired pizzas.
Bluprint
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 135; 312-410-9800
Need a classy place for lunch, but don’t have all the time in the world? Check out this uber-stylish new spot in the Merchandise Mart from Blue Plate catering, which also operates Rhapsody. Bluprint offers a $17 “designer” prix-fixe lunch option that includes choices such as gazpacho, grilled chicken with a tomato-caper relish, and a chocolate brownie for dessert. To speed it up, all courses are served together. Dinner is entirely a la carte and includes appetizers such as rock crab salad ($10) and hamachi tartare served atop a banana cake ($10), and entrees such as dry-aged sirloin ($25) and Amish chicken ($21). The lounge menu has duck confit nachos ($8) and a wagyu burger ($13) and cocktails such as the New Manhattan, made with amaretto and almond syrup.
Sepia
123 N. Jefferson St.; 312-441-1920
Calling itself a “modern speakeasy of sorts,” this dining destination slated to open July 12 will offer nostalgia-tinged sophistication. Look for a custom-made tile floor with Art Nouveau patterns; an antique camera, circa 1870, will be the highlight. (The space is a former print shop.) A floor-to-ceiling wine room will offer a 100-bottle wine list, with most selections less than $75. Owner Emmanual Nony has hired exec chef Kendal Duque (former sous chef of NoMi, under Sandro Gamba) to create a product-driven, seasonally focused contemporary American menu. (Entrees start at $18 and top out around $30.) There also will be a large lounge area with retro cocktails made with seasonally fresh ingredients.
Sippin’ in the suburbs
Looks like some west suburban oenophiles have been thinking alike: Three wine bars are opening their cellar doors in time for summer. Just south of downtown Naperville in the former La Piazza space, the swanky, velvet-draped Twisted Cork (192 West Gartner, Naperville; 630-753-9463) offers flights of cheese or chocolate and small plates — called “sharings” — of diver scallops and veal meatballs. Off the Vine (5823 S. Madison St., Hinsdale; 630-455-0968) provides a half-boutique, half-lounge blend that’s light on the food-cheese plates only, for now — and heavy on the vino. Choose from a half dozen wines by the glass or more than 350 by the bottle ($10 corkage fee to drink on-site) and kick back on caramel leather loveseats or glass-topped tables. Originally scheduled to open in April, The Cellar Bistro (132 Hale St., Wheaton) is preparing for a mid-July opening, offering plenty of organic wines and menu of seasonal small plates.
———-
For complete listings, go to metromix.com