Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Talented chef hooks up with wealthy foodie eager to dabble in restaurant business. Tensions arise; money guy wins. A fast-forward version of this story just played out at Saltaus (1350 W. Randolph St.), where co-owners Nader Salti (money guy) and Michael Taus (chef guy) have had an “amicable parting” in less than two months. Taus is out; Brad Phillips (ex-NoMI, Blackbird) takes over as executive chef, effective Dec. 28. Incidentally, the name “Saltaus” was created by merging the two original partners’ names; no word if Salti will now change the name to “SaltLips.” 312-455-1919.
Quartino (626 N. State St.) has opened. The food world has been buzzing for months about this pizzeria/wine bar/ristorante concept, which features wine pours by the liter, half-liter and quartino (quarter-liter, or 250 ml.). Chef John Coletta has a solid track record of creating appealing restaurants (Primavera, Caliterra), and owners Steve Lombardo and Hugo Ralli (Gibsons, et. al.) have had a little success in the biz as well. Look for an approachable Italian menu highlighted by a salumi section (including made-in-house duck prosciutto), Neopolitan pizzas and a variety of risotti every day. 312-698-5000.
Also open is Di Pescara (2124 Northbrook Court, Northbrook), a new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant in Northbrook Court shopping center. The theme here is “coastal Italian,” which, if you picture Italy geographically, doesn’t exclude much. But the idea is that there’s an emphasis on seafood as well as low prices (a rare double bill). The value-consciousness extends to the wine program, which includes a $5-per-glass option in which the kitchen selects wines to go with your food. Open for lunch and dinner daily. 847-498-4321.
And scheduled to open as you read this is yet another Bar Louie (14335 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park), the 15th link in the national chain, and the 10th in the Chicago area. (Gee, do you think they’ll call the next one Louie the 16th?) 708-873-9999.
Trader Vic’s (Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.) is closing at the end of the year after one final Tiki New Year celebration, but it will reopen in Chicago under the auspices of the Harry Caray restaurant group–whose head, Grant DePorter, is busy scouting potential sites (especially in River North) for the new and improved Trader Vic’s.
The first Illinois location has opened for Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (960 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire), a prime steak and seafood chain with locations in more than 20 states.
It’ll be a Cuban Christmas from Saturday through Dec. 24 at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St.). For eight days, the restaurant will feature live entertainment, special cocktails and Cuban-inspired menu specials. 312-664-2727.
———-
pvettel@tribune.com
