The Pump Room Appoints New Exec Chef

The Pump Room's dining room. (Photo: The Pump Room)

There's been a little chef shuffling over at The Pump Room this week.

Apparently, Executive Sous Chef Moosah Reaume's replacing Bradford Phillips as executive chef. And, according to owner Ian Schrager in a press release just sent out, nothing will really change.

His statement indicates that no matter who "runs" the kitchen, The Pump Room's cuisine will always be Jean Georges Vongerichten-focused:

Russell Kook Lands at Chicago Cut Steakhouse

Hell's Kitchen runner-up and former Florentine chef Russell Kook is on to his next big adventure.

312DD just found out that he just landed at Chicago Cut Steakhouse, where he'll serve as executive chef.

Going Gaga Over Bayless . . .

Lady Gaga and Chef Rick Bayless (Photo via Rick Bayless)

Pop star Lady Gaga dropped by Frontera Grill over the weekend, and apparently knows her stuff when it comes to food.

Rick Bayless tweeted:

Notes From: 'Keepin' It Classy' Crawl

Lucky participants, who came out for Google Chicago/312 Dining Diva's first-ever 'Keepin' It Classy Crawl,' chilling out in Tru's gorgeous cocktail lounge. (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

• Google Places teamed up with 312 Dining Diva and Uber car service for the first-ever Keepin' It Classy Crawl on Saturday.

• Through a contest, 12 guests won seats on the "underground" drinking-and-dining tour, which took them to three upscale hot spots in the city. They had no idea where they were going until they arrived at each destination.

The DEFINITIVE Lenten Fried Fish Survival Guide

Honey 1 BBQ's fried perch. (Photo via Serious Eats Chicago)

We can always count on Serious Eats Chicago.

This time those guys came up with the definitive Lenten Fried Fish Survival Guide, so before you indulge, make sure you check them out for "the rules" on the fish fry, plus tips on making the absolute best tartar sauce and their top picks for restaurants to chow down.

Honey 1 BBQ, BIG & little's and Calumet Fisheries made the cut.

All I have to say is Bravo!

Lillie's Q Signature Wrap on Falafill's Menu

Lillie's Q chef/owner Charlie McKenna created this signature wrap for Falafill that's available during March. (Photo: Jamco Creative)

March Falafill roared in like a lion with the ferocious new signature wrap by guest chef Charlie McKenna of Lillie's Q.

His bad-ass offering consists of a Southern-focused, black-eyed pea falafel filled with fried collard greens, coleslaw tossed in the Lillie's Q Ivory Sauce, sautéed onions and tomatos. As with each chef participating in Falafill's monthly program, a portion of the proceeds from each wrap sold benefits McKenna's favorite charity.

Notes From: Spiaggia's 'Top Chef' Finale Party

(Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

• Spiaggia's Sarah Grueneberg skyped into her finale party twice Wednesday as fans anxiously waited to find out who won Top Chef Texas. It was held in Spiaggia's private events space on the third floor.



• Grueneberg's favorite cocktail, the Agrumi of Hendrick's gin, Prosecco, pineapple juice and fresh ginger syrup, was served at the party. Guests also enjoyed house-made salumi, charcuterie, fresh mozzarella and pastries.



• A number of high-profile, Chicago-based chefs came out to show their support for Grueneberg—even though she was in New York for the finale—including her former Top Chef opponents Chris Jones and Richie Farina of Moto (photo above); Bill Kim and Yvonne Cadiz-Kim of Urban Belly; Kevin Hickey of Allium and Giuseppe Tentori of Boka/GT Fish & Oyster. Master mixologist Adam Seger also made a cameo.

Hot Stuff Coming To Lakeview This Spring

Levitski displaying a hand-blown Italian glass pendant for the dining room. (Photo via Ari Bendersky/Eater Chicago)

Last fall we told you first about Sprout chef Dale Levitski's second project, Frog N Snail, which is now set to open in Lakeview this spring.

Eater Chicago popped into the construction space last week for an update: