The intrigue swirls about Cafe 36 (22 W. Calendar Ct., La Grange). Chef Reinhard Barthel Jr., who was negotiating to purchase the place, is out the door. Owner Reinhard Barthel Sr., the chef’s father, is denying rumors of a sale (but says he’s not ruling out that possibility) and says he’s looking for a chef so he can reopen (the restaurant hasn’t served dinner since the end of June). It’s not going to be much of a family Thanksgiving this year. Stay tuned.
Mary and Christopher Spagnola, owners of Maison (30 S. La Grange Rd., La Grange), have called it quits after a four-year run, but say they soon will unveil a personal-chef and specialty-catering service, to be called Sugar Spagnola (sounds like a Grateful Dead tune). Um, we know a west-suburban French chef who’s looking for a restaurant . . . .
And one bit of good west suburban news: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has opened a carryout and delivery location at 41 Garden Market St., Western Springs. 708-246-3400.
Robert Sulatycky has resigned as executive chef of Seasons (Four Seasons Chicago, 120 E. Delaware Pl.) after three years. Sulatycky is headed to California, where he has family; while the hotel searches for a replacement, Kevin Hickey of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago (which is a Four Seasons hotel) is consulting on Seasons’ operation.
Gilbert Langlois is the newest chef at SushiSamba Rio (504 N. Wells St.), and let’s hope he doesn’t pay for engraved business cards, because SushiSamba has gone through quite a few chefs in its brief time in Chicago. Meanwhile, at Langlois’ former employer, Rushmore (1023 W. Lake St.), sous chef Rudy Garcia has been promoted to interim chef.
Doran Payne has been promoted from sous chef to executive chef at Rhapsody (65 E. Adams St.), replacing Patrick Crane, who left to become executive chef at The Garden Restaurant in the Art Institute of Chicago.
In honor of the Tour de France, Mon Ami Gabi (2300 Lincoln Park West) will feature “Paris-Brest,” a dessert created more than 100 years ago by a pastry chef whose shop was on the Tour route. It’s essentially an almond-topped eclair shaped like a bicycle wheel and will be offered throughout the dates of this year’s Tour, which begins Saturday and ends July 24. 773-348-8886.
Benjamin Browning, who has been running the kitchen at La Tache (1475 W. Balmoral Ave.) for about a month, has introduced a new cafe menu, augmenting the main offerings with such items as a burger with bacon, gruyere and truffle aioli; and something called “French nachos” with steak tartare and avocado relish. 773-334-7168.
Felton Road Winery will be the focus of a five-course wine dinner at 6 p.m. Friday at Rhapsody (65 E. Adams St.). Cost is $85; prepaid reservations required. 312-786-9911.
The Art Institute of Chicago and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (2024 N. Halsted St.) will collaborate on an artist dinner at 6 p.m. Sunday. A narrated slide presentation on the life and works of Pablo Picasso will be followed by a six-course tapas dinner matched to wines, sherries and brandies. Cost is $50, tax and tip included; reservations required. 773-935-5000 or reserve online at cafebabareeba.com.
Settimana Cafe (2056 W. Division St.) has introduced Sunday Jazz brunch, featuring a classic jazz pianist and an a la carte menu including French toast, house-made scones, risotto cakes with poached eggs and grilled chicken with greens, berries, goat cheese and pomegranate vinaigrette. 773-394-1629.
Ravinia fans, hang onto those ticket stubs. Stop by Metropolitan Cafe (1791 St. John’s Ave., Highland Park) after the show, order a drink at the bar and flash that night’s concert ticket, and you’ll get a complimentary dessert or appetizer. No ticket? Metropolitan Cafe will give you a half-price glass of house wine with every entree order. Offer is good all summer. 847-432-5800.
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pvettel@tribune.com
