What do you do when someone offers you two suburban restaurants–one Italian, one Mexican, sharing a common kitchen–with a pizza carryout/delivery room in back? Well, Stephen Hill, Maura McCartney and Don Hladko, who between them have a wealth of restaurant experience, jumped at the deal. They’ve reopened the restaurants as Trucchi Italian Bistro, Comida Bebida and Pazzo Pizza, respectively, in Downers Grove. “After working in restaurants downtown, it was shocking to see such a large kitchen and pizza oven,” Hill says. Running that large kitchen is executive chef Mitch Garcia, who was cooking in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina drove him north. Apart from some new paint on the walls, regulars won’t see many differences in the new restaurants. “We’ve managed to keep 95 percent of the employees,” Hill says. “We’re going to take what’s good here and build on it, and keep it fun.” One early change is that the margaritas are made with fresh-squeezed juice. 630-434-7700 or 630-434-0300.
Patrick Cassata, chef/owner of Eclectic in Barrington, is opening a place in the Loop. Spa Cafe (112 W. Monroe St.) will debut some time in November, offering quick-service dining in a 76-seat room. “The food will be made on the premises, seasonal and innovative, but with an emphasis on health,” Cassata says.
The only thing better than wild game is cooking it yourself in hot oil. That’s at least the theory behind “Wild Game Tuesdays” at Geja’s Cafe (340 W. Armitage Ave.), where the Tuesday menu includes options such as alligator, ostrich, sturgeon and venison tenderloin–and additional, complementary sauces. 773-281-9101.
Swing by Scoozi! (410 W. Huron St.) on Mondays and have at the restaurant’s by-the-glass wine list for just $5 per glass. 312-943-5900.
Mestizo (710 N. Wells St.) is offering a “Dia de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) menu Friday through Nov. 5. The multicourse menu is priced at $40 ($60 with wine pairings), and items may be ordered a la carte. 312-274-9500.
A costume brunch party will take place 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! (2024 N. Halsted St.). Dine in costume and you’ll receive a gift certificate equivalent to the value of your meal. (I know what you’re thinking, but the certificate is applicable to future visits.) 773-935-5000.
KiKi’s Bistro (900 N. Franklin St.) celebrates 15 years in its current location (technically its only location; when owner Georges “KiKi” Cuisance was in the Loop, the restaurant was called Le Bordeaux) by offering a three-course “Bistro Anniversaire” menu for $35, beginning Tuesday through Nov. 16. 312-335-5454.
A Trimbach wine dinner will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cafe La Cave (2777 Mannheim Rd., Des Plaines). The six-course, four-wine dinner is priced at $75, all inclusive. 847-827-7818.
Suburban sequels: Another Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has opened, this one in the Geneva Commons Mall in Geneva (1048 Commons Drive, Geneva; 630-208-1600). And Charlie’s Ale House has opened a west suburban satellite in Wheaton’s Danada Square North shopping center (301 E. Loop Rd., Wheaton; 630-510-3141).
Ballo (449 N. Dearborn St.) has added lunch service, available Mondays-Saturdays. 312-832-7700.
Parlor (1745 W. North Ave.) now serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; entrees, such as brioche French toast with peaches and cream cheese and Parlor Benedict made with house-smoked pork, range from $6 to $13. 773-782-9000.
———-
pvettel@tribune.com
