Say Hello To Perennial's New Exec Chef

Photo via Chicago Sun-Times.

Paul Virant has just been named Perennial's new executive chef and partner. The force behind Western Springs' Vie has also been on Iron Chef and won Food & Wine's Best New Chef.

He replaces Ryan Poli, who leaves his post March 7 to take over Tavernita.

Congrats, Paul!

UPDATE: The restaurant will now be called Perennial Virant.

ANOTHER UPDATE: 312DD finally snagged an interview with Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz—the very busy managing partners of the Boka Restaurant Group, which owns Perennial as well as Boka, Girl & The Goat, the forthcoming GT Fish & Oyster and Landmark.

Thank God For Facebook & Twitter!

The Bristol. (Photo: Neil Burger)

It's hard enough getting into Bucktown's offbeat eatery The Bristol, but now AT&T has made it even more difficult, according to a tweet from owner John Ross:

"Bristol phones are down, but we will be open all week! AT&T says the phones are out in North Bucktown&wont be fixed until Friday? Wow."

Yikes. Get it together, AT&T!