Agami (4712 N. Broadway) is open–lacking a liquor license, but definitely open. Executive chef Soon Park (ex-Kamehachi, Sushi Wabi, Wildfish) offers a range of traditional Japanese dishes (cooked and uncooked) and an assortment of signature, creative sushi dishes as well. 773-506-1845.
Also open is Embrace (29 E. 1st St., Hinsdale), which used to be called Cafe Kokopelli when it was across the street (there still is a Kokopelli at 30 E. 1st St., but now it’s a holiday shop selling merchandise through Dec. 31, when it will close). Embrace bills itself as a “one-stop shopping” concept that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (the menu is contemporary American) but also includes a retail space that sells clothing, accessories, cosmetics and more. So if you don’t like the way you look in the dining room, a quick makeover is just steps away. 630-325-1996.
North Shore folks working near Michigan Avenue are pumped at news Northbrook deli Max and Benny’s is moving into the River East complex at 332 E. Illinois St. The deli, which will be half the size of the Northbrook original, is aiming for an early December debut.
Ted Cizma has resurfaced as the chef at Shedd Aquarium, just in time to help kick off the aquarium’s Right Bites program, which aims to increase awareness of the need to make environmentally conscious fish choices when dining. Forty-two Chicago restaurants have agreed to offer at least one sustainable seafood dish this month, and customers ordering a sustainable dish will receive a VIP admissions voucher to the aquarium. Check the list at www.sheddaquarium.org.
Dirk Flanigan, late of Blue Water Grill, has resurfaced as the new executive chef for Blue Plate Catering, where he’ll oversee four catering divisions. Flanigan’s duties will not include Rhapsody or Park Grill, two restaurants in which Blue Plate has an interest. But the company anticipates that Flanigan’s expertise will add a new dimension to Blue Plate’s off-site offerings.
The latest Chicago concept heading to Las Vegas (which already has a Mon Ami Gabi, Ghost Bar and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab) will be Japonais, which will open a clone in the Mirage hotel in spring/summer of next year.
After being closed for what seemed like an eternity, thanks to a broken water main, the breakfast/lunch/brunch restaurant Room 12 has reopened–but with a new/old name. Now it’s called The Bongo Room (115 S. Wabash Ave., 312-291-0100), reflecting its connection with its Wicker Park parent.
Speaking of brunch, the Dining Room (Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 E. Pearson St., 312-573-5223) now offers a champagne option to its famed Sunday brunch. The regular buffet brunch is $60, but the $80 option includes the buffet plus free-flowing Louis Roederer Brut Premier champagne. Or if you’d like a glass of Dom Perignon `96–and who wouldn’t–that’s going for $32 per glass.
Nick Malgieri will autograph copies of his book “A Baker’s Tour” as part of a dinner event throughout Friday evening at Brasserie Jo (59 W. Hubbard St.). The restaurant will offer a three-course dinner, priced at $32, of dishes from Malgieri’s book. (Malgieri will be on hand 7-9 p.m.) 312-595-0800.
A 10th anniversary celebration for Cafe Lucci (609 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview, 847-729-2268) Thursday and Friday will feature a four-course menu for $28.95 ($39.95 with wine pairings); dinner guests those days will be entered in a drawing for a dinner for 10.
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pvettel@tribune.com
