Urban Union

Chef Michael Shrader (ex N9ne, Epic) prepares New American small plates (with seafood and vegetables outnumbering meats) offered alongside craft cocktails and a few dozen by-the-glass wines (including six on tap) at this midpriced Little Italy respite; rustic-chic design highlights include industrial light fixtures, a wood-burning oven in the open kitchen and a repurposed antique welding table...

Prasino, the restaurant chain heavily involved in the locally-sourced "farm-to-table" movement (Prasino means "green" in Greek), is moving quickly with staffing changes and new locations. The company has hired Chris Barron, former executive chef at Francesca's Forno in Wicker Park, to head up their upcoming Rosemont location in the Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

On leaving Francesca's, Barron...

The shuttering of Urban Union has lead to a new opportunity for Joshua Marrelli. He was the chef de cuisine under Michael Shrader, and now he has signed on as executive chef of the upcoming multi-tiered Chicago Chop Shop. Chicago Chop Shop will house a dizzying blend of concepts—restaurant, bar, deli, butcher shop and attached event space (The 1st Ward)—but Marrelli will only run the dinner...

Urban Union, the wine-focused restaurant that was in the works since 1997, didn't last 16 months. The Taylor Street wine spot closed up after business on Saturday, four weeks after staffers were alerted to the impending shuttering. Staffers say that business fell off precipitously.

Michael Shrader left his post at showy Epic, and it was anyone’s guess what he would concoct. As it turns out, the results couldn’t be more pleasing. The narrow space, anchored by a wood-hearth oven, is warm and unpretentious. Grabbing a stool at the open kitchen, you’re in the heart of the action, and it’s a welcoming place to be --- especially on a chilly day. Whatever the weather,...

Executive Chef/Partner Michael Shrader and Partner Jason Chan invite diners to experience a fresh restaurant/wine bar concept on Chicago's Taylor Street, which will specialize in seafood cooked in a wood-burning oven and an extensive wine program, offering 36 wines by the glass and wines on tap.