Restaurant News, Redux

Here's three tidbits to digest

09/21/2011 10:36 AM

By Bonnie McGrath

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The new chef at Gioco

One of my favorite spots in the South Loop is no more: the northeast corner of the Hilton lobby on South Michigan Avenue has been gutted. To make way for a brand new restaurant, I hear. So sad that such a cozy and interesting spot to eat, drink, sip coffee or just relax in--and spy into from the street--is gone. It's interesting to peer in at the moment, though--and see a massive construction site inside the windows, while the hotel business carries on merrily on the other side of the curtain!


In other restaurant news, Gioco on South Wabash has hired a new chef, Gaetano Ascione--who has served two US presidents, by the way, Carter and Reagan. I have always been satisfied with the food at Gioco. In fact, more than satisfied. And I wonder what has happened. A firing? A quitting? A foodie shake-up? In any case, Ascione has a lot to live up to, as far as I'm concerned.

Last but not least, that Ryan McCaskey restaurant that has had more pre-publicity without a single groundbreaking, laid brick or oven installation at 16th and Wabash, which will adjoin the new park--which, by the way, has also had its share of pre-publicity without a single grass seed being planted--has announced the name it will have when it finally opens later this year: Acadia--to harken back to McCaskey's Maine connections.

Happy future eating to all!


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By Bonnie McGrath from South Loop
Posted: 09/21/2011 6:33 PM

And this just in: new pastry chef headed to Custom House. Her specialty will be cheese--and a \"bread program.\" Stay tuned. http://chicagoist.com/2011/09/21/restaurant_news_black_sheep_closes.php