:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44419374/paul_mcgee_land_and_sea.0.0.jpg)
It didn't take Paul McGee long to find a new gig after leaving Lettuce Entertain You Dec. 1 and Three Dots and a Dash.
The acclaimed cocktailer, who grew his reputation at The Whistler before being snatched up by the Melmans in January 2012, has been named the beverage director for the restaurant group Land and Sea Dept. (Parson's Chicken and Fish, Longman & Eagle).
This means that McGee, who turned LEYE's Three Dots and a Dash into one of the hottest spots in town (it was named one of the 50 best bars in the world by Drinks International recently), will be overseeing the cocktail programs at the group's three upcoming projects.
One will for sure be at the forthcoming Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. Another is most likely at the space formerly inhabited by punk club Ronny's in Logan Square (with a rumored name of Golden Teardrops). While the third will be in the Logan Square/Avondale neighborhood.
While McGee's step up to the corporate LEYE left some Whistler devotees sore, this move to the scrappier, more independent Land and Sea Dept. might alleviate those hurt feelings. Look for more details on what McGee has up his sleeve as they are revealed.
UPDATE: This article has been updated to reflect McGee's role overseeing the upcoming/future projects of Land and Sea Dept. At this point, McGee will not be working on any of the ones that are currently open.
