Fond Farewell To Longtime Bayless Chef

Brian Enyart (left) and Rick Bayless (Photo via Chicago Tribune)

The time has come for Topolobampo Chef de Cuisine Brian Enyart to fly the coop.

Apparently, he's been with Rick Bayless' well-oiled empire for 14 years—his entire culinary career thus far—and he wants to see what else is out there.

The Chicago Tribune reported in January that Enyart was leaving, and Thursday was the big day.

He wrote a heartfelt message on his Facebook page Thursday afternoon:

Next Week Is Gonna Be Crazy . . .

(Photo: The Doughnut Vault)

Look for The Doughnut Vault to open April 5.

I got a sneak peek Wednesday of the tiny, tiny space that's tucked inside River North's Gilt Bar. This place is so damn small that three customers easily crowd the space. That's why owner Brendan Sodikoff added a window where customers can order from outside.

Opening April 6 is Next, Grant Achatz's mid-priced eatery in the old Fulton Lounge space. To find out how to navigate its revolutionary ticketing system, check out Chicago magazine's article here.

And by next week, the Boka Restaurant Group's latest offering, GT Fish & Oyster with chef Guiseppe Tentori engineering, should be in its groove. It opens March 31.

Bravo Stars Take Over Girl & The Goat

"Top Chef All Stars" fan favorite winner Carla Hall, with "Real Housewives of Atlanta" Phaedra Parks (right) and "Top Chef" star Tiffany Derry (right, top). (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

If you're a Bravo fan, the place to be Wednesday was one of the hot-ticket Top Chef finale parties happening in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York simultaneously.

The sassy channel known best for the chef-focused competition as well as the Real Housewives franchises had its party at Girl & The Goat—owned by Top Chef Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard.