Laurent Gras Is OUT At L20

A well-placed Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that French chef Laurent Gras, executive chef/partner of L20, is out at the upscale Lincoln Park restaurant. He left a few days ago.

UPDATE: Time Out has more details on Gras' sudden departure.

Five Cent Roast Chicken on Sundays

(Photo: Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken)


Rocky Gupta is making a comeback of epic proportions.

The owner of Chef Luciano & Gourmet Chicken has spent the last few months renovating his famous Near South Side restaurant to its original glory (when it used to house a White Castle), and he's throwing a grand re-opening celebration all month.

'The Queen of Candyland' is in Town!

Dylan Lauren of Dylan's Candy Bar.


Today is National Candy Day, and guess who's in town to make sure we celebrate in style?!

That would be Dylan Lauren—the undisputed "Queen of Candyland"—who's behind the Dylan's Candy Bar brand.

Are They Still Shaking On 'On The Rocks?'

Mixologists Debbi Peek and Charles Joly rep Chicago on NBC's "On The Rocks" bartending competition.


How did Chicago's own do on the first episode of the third season of "On The Rocks," NBC's awesome, nationwide bartending competition?!

I've got the video right here, so you can check out The Bristol's house mixologist Debbi Peek and Charles Joly, the chief mixologist for The Drawing Room.

It's a nailbiter for sure!

"On the Rocks" airs 12:05am Sunday, immediately after "Saturday Night Live."

A November To Remember . . .

Sixteen restaurant at the Trump is doing a "Luxury Pork Week" in mid-November.


Don't allow this effed up weather to mess with your mind, November is going to be one fabulous month for food and fun.

First off, we're ready to squeal with delight over the first-ever Luxury Pork Week, going down at Sixteen Nov. 15-21.

A Sneak Peek Of Maude's Liquor Bar

(Photos: Maude's Liquor Bar)


Check out the progress . . .

Izard, Elliot, Kahan On 'Chicago LIVE!'

Chefs Stephanie Izard (from left), Graham Elliot and Paul Kahan (Kahan Photo: Michael Stryder)


Now that we're going full speed ahead right into the holiday season, we need to save every $ we can.

So this is a pretty good deal, right?! The Chicago Tribune's weekly radio show "Chicago LIVE!" makes a point of putting newsmakers on, so it should come as no surprise that they'd get around to a show featuring some of our city's finest chefs.

They Made Crain's '40 Under 40' List

From left: Rob Katz, Giuseppe Tentori, Stephanie Izard, Ryan Poli, Kevin Boehm (Photo: Boka Restaurant Group)

Two big-name restaurant-industry folks made Crain's prestigious 40 Under 40 list this year. They also happen to be from the same restaurant group.

Boka Restaurant Group co-owner Kevin Boehm and Girl & The Goat Executive Chef/co-ownerStephanie Izard repped, and they repped well.

Here's why they made the cut: