After a long negotiation, Michael Roper of Hopleaf (5148 N. Clark St.; 773-334-9851)has purchased the La Donna (5146 N. Clark St.; 773-561-9400) property next door to his Andersonville beer haven, which he will turn into a charcuterie/wine-oriented spot with a wood-burning grill. “It’s going to be more straightforward grilled fish and meat and house-made charcuterie,” says Roper, who plans to gut the space and reopen it by early winter. “We’re going to have fun with things that we can’t do at Hopleaf because it doesn’t fit our concept and our kitchen is very small there. Ben Sheagren will be executive chef over both kitchens, and the new kitchen will be a much bigger playground for him.” As if the news could not get better, the larger kitchen will enable Hopleaf to open for lunch. Meanwhile, La Donna’s last night is July 15th; Tony and Antonella Barbanente, its owners, plan to open Deseo, a “creative” Mexican cantina with a margarita bar at 6340 North Clark Street in September.
(via my Chicago mag Dish weekly email blast)
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