GM/Beverage Director Jon McDaniel Out at OON

Less than four months in and OON is already down a beverage director and general manager. Jon McDaniel, who came over from The Purple Pig to mastermind the beverage program and front of the house at Matt Eversman's long-awaited Randolph Row Asian fusion concept, is out. McDaniel's last day at OON is Saturday.

McDaniel says that "after being open 90 days (that) menus are revised based on guest preferences. Once we made a reassessment of where the beverage program needed to be, it was clear my particular beverage skills would be better served at a different establishment."

Chef/owner Eversman says that McDaniel "brought a lot to our OON team. We wish him the best of luck." There's no word yet on who, if anyone, will replace him.

After a lengthy delay—nearly 18 months between papered windows and the soft opening—OON has received mixed reviews, from an early positive piece in RedEye to a piercing review in Time Out Chicago, as well as criticism by the Michelin Guide. Stay tuned for McDaniel's next move.
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[Photo: McDaniel (left) and Eversman in happy plywood days]