Del Toro (1520 N. Damen Ave.) has opened in the Wicker Park space that was once home to MOD. Although Terry Alexander is still the main partner and chef Andrew Zimmerman has been retained, gone is MOD’s Judy Jetson decor, in favor of an undulating ceiling, a deep-red fabric-covered wall and other touches by designer Suhail to reflect the restaurant’s Spanish identity. Look for lots of small plates, hot and cold, and Spanish wines. 773-252-1500.
bin wine cafe (1159 N. Milwaukee Ave.) has opened in Wicker Park. An offshoot of the Bin 36 in River North, the cafe is a relatively smaller space, seating no more than 80 and offering a tidy menu of small plates and entrees, with an emphasis on dishes cooked in the custom-built wood-burning oven. There’s also a list of 36 wines, offered in 2.5- and 6-ounce pours, and about 20 imported and domestic cheeses. 773-486-2233.
Todd Stein has been named executive chef of mk (868 N. Franklin St.), making him the first mk executive chef not named Michael Kornick. Kornick, however, will continue to oversee mk and A Milano in Northfield, and is consulting on multiple new projects, including the new Playboy Club in Las Vegas.
Erika Masuda, most recently seen as pastry chef at Le Lan, has been named executive pastry chef at Coco Pazzo (300 W. Hubbard St.).
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