Mercat's Morris to Run Garces' Rural Society; Presidio on Damen Hires Chef; More

STREETERVILLE/SOUTH LOOP—Jose Garces is plucking Mercat a la Planxa exec chef Cory Morris to run his forthcoming Rural Society in the Loews Hotel, Chicago Magazine reports, and is promoting Evan Behmer to run Mercat. Rural Society is currently slated to open on March 2. [Chicago Mag]

BUCKTOWN—Presidio, the forthcoming cocktail bar and eatery in the former Bluebird space (1749 N. Damen), now has a chef: former Chicago Cut chef de cuisine Shaun Connelly. Also a former staffer at Moto, Nightwood, and with Rockit Ranch, Connelly's menu staples will include tartare, Great Lakes region "fish bites," house made pastas, charcuterie and cheese boards, rabbit confit salad, a house burger and pork chops. Look for the opening in mid-February. [EaterWire]

GOLD COAST—Not only does The Pump Room have a new beverage director and head mixologist, it also has a new executive chef. Ross Mendoza, who also worked for Jean-Georges Vongerichten in New York at James Beard-winning ABC Kitchen, is that chef. [EaterWire]