Chef Dominique Fortin hardly had time to fill a kolachky at Mareva`s, 1250 N. Milwaukee Ave., Polish restaurant when he showed up as the new chef at Chez Paul. Hopefully the Le Francais-trained Fortin will be more comfortable in the French-style Chez Paul.
Chez Paul, 660 N. Rush St., meanwhile, recently added attractive outdoor dining inside its wrought-iron fence-enclosed front terrace. Reports are mixed as the new chef and outdoor facility settle in. While they`re polishing up, we hope that includes fresh paint for the front door.
– Paul LoDuca this week exits Carlucci, 2215 N. Halsted St., which is searching for a comparably-touted chef. LoDuca plans to open his own place, Vinci, in September at the southwest corner of Halsted and Willow Streets. The theme will be downscaled (read moderately priced), rustic Italian-of course.
– Chefs Rich Ladd and Cheryl Corrado, formerly of the Rust Belt Cafe, show up at Jaqua, a specialty food spot at 2201 N. Halsted St. through July to help with the menu planning and cooking. A possible goal within the year:
their own restaurant.
– Host Jimmy Rohr and chef Kevin Shikami dish out what sounds like a great $39.50 four-course prix fixe Monday through Friday in July to celebrate the 13th anniversary of Jimmy`s Place, 3420 N. Elston Ave. Items include a sauteed scallop and shrimp cake with garlic-saffron rouille, and a grilled filet of beef in red wine sauce.
– Sage`s on La Salle and Joes Saloon Grill, both at 203 N. La Salle St., close this week after 2 1/2 years, citing slow business in the North Loop area. This leaves the Sage`s Restaurants with Sage`s Sages in Arlington Heights-but fresh ideas for 1992.
– People on vacation are more likely to switch from the usual fast food meals to midscale and upscale restaurants, according to a study from the National Restaurant Association. Breakfast at higher-check upscale spots are particularly attractive to vacationeers, who apparently want to fuel up for a day of play-and who may realize that breakfast is the best bargain meal.
