Frank Mnuk Scraps Brigadoon, Now Chef de Cuisine at Cité

After not being able to secure the financing to take over the former Mado space, chef Frank Mnuk has scrapped his plans to open Brigadoon in Wicker Park. But even that cloud has a silver lining as Mnuk just started as chef de cuisine at Cité.

Mnuk (Bistro Bordeaux, L20) will have total control of the food production at the restaurant on the 70th floor of Lake Point Tower overlooking the city and Lake Michigan. He wants to bring Cité back to the level of fine dining it once enjoyed. "I want to be up there with Tru and Charlie Trotter's," he said. "The view they have is ridiculous. They just need amazing food to go along with it."

Mnuk started in his new position a week ago and is already making significant menu changes and plans to quickly turn over the entire menu. He's working with many local farms and will source seasonal ingredients, as well as featuring Kobe and wagyu beef. Some new dishes will start rolling out this week, including Grimaud Farm guinea hen (milk-poached breast; crispy confit leg and thigh) served with smoked bacon, empire apple and a sweet mustard jus; and Elysian Fields Farm lamb with dates, sheep's yogurt and curry jus.

"We're going to use some really nice products and make it nice and elegant again," he said.
· Frank Mnuk Hoping to Open Brigadoon in Mado Location [~EChi~]