Karyn Calabrese News Aplenty, Travelle's New Chef, More Intel

—On the heels of shuttered restaurants, lawsuits, a GoFundMe campaign to stay afloat, employees' anonymous Facebook gripes and health problems, a Crain's profile takes a deep dive into the life of Karyn Calabrese, the vegan queen who has fallen on hard times. The main news: Calabrese is considering moving and downsizing her last remaining restaurant Karyn's Raw in Lincoln Park, all but the $112,000 back rent lawsuit have been settled, she regrets opening Karyn's On Green, and she's working on a book.

—After Tim Graham exited in February to plan his own restaurant, Travelle has announced a new chef de cuisine, the Tribune first reported. Ricardo Jarquin, a Miami native with extensive experience with high-end hotel dining, is now running the kitchen at the swanky Langham hotel restaurant and has launched a new spring menu, which you can read below.

—The long-in-the-works restaurant slated for Maggie Daley Park, Maggie's at the Park, was finally approved yesterday by the Plan Commission after numerous proposal changes that resulted in a slimmed-down plan, according to multiple reports. There's no word on when the Four Corners Tavern Group-operated restaurant will open and construction has yet to begin at 352 E. Monroe.

—The Lawless sisters have announced a pastry chef for The Dearborn, their forthcoming upscale restaurant coming to the Block 37 shops this summer. Courtney Joseph, who has experience at Swift & Sons, Takashi, Slurping Turtle and Hoosier Mama, is planning homemade pies, build-your-own sundaes, rose macarons, and more.

—Keep your eyes peeled for a Pocky truck, set to roam the Chicago streets from May 11 through June 12, that will hand out the Japanese chocolate-dipped cookie sticks for free. Follow Pocky's Twitter account for whereabouts.

—Joy District, the Hubbard Inn folks' revamp of the Hubbard Street clubstaurant Epic, opened its second floor yesterday that has bottle service, another bar, lounge, and a dance floor. The rooftop should open in May.