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Chicago’s Sommelier of the Year Exiting for Danny Meyer and NYC and More Intel

Plus, Homaro Cantu’s cookbook is nearly ready and River Northers get a Japanese hotspot’s lunch

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Arthur Hon is leaving Sepia for Union Square Cafe
Sepia/Facebook

— Chicago’s hottest sommelier is leaving for the bright lights of Danny Meyer and New York City. Arthur Hon, a widely acclaimed somm who was Chicago’s only inclusion on this year’s Food & Wine sommelier of the year list, will exit Sepia and Proxi on November 11 to work at Meyer’s world-renowned, recently reborn Union Square Cafe, the Tribune reports. The move leaves a large hole in Chicago’s wine scene, and there’s no word yet who’ll replace him.

Homaro Cantu’s long-awaited cookbook is nearly ready for release, more than two years after the famed progressive chef’s death. The Tribune took a look at the book, titled Moto: The Cookbook, which was nearly finished at the time of Cantu’s death and centers on 10 of his favorite dishes from each year the groundbreaking Fulton Market restaurant was open. It will be released on November 7.

— Hot LA-imported Japanese restaurant Katana will give River Northers a hot new lunch service on Monday. Check out the menu below, which features many of the dishes from the dinner menu (sushi, robata skewers, hot and cold items from the kitchen), but also adds poke bowls, handrolls, and bento boxes.

— Many more Wow Baos could be on the way. Lettuce Entertain You’s fast-casual Asian bun chain has joined forces with private equity firm Valor Equity Partners in order to “fast-track the growth,” Crain’s reports. Wow Bao currently has 13 locations.

The Delta, Wicker Park’s hot new Mississippi Delta-themed bar and restaurant, kicks off Sunday brunch this weekend. Dishes include chilaquiles made with house tamales, catfish tartines, a fried green tomato breakfast sandwich, and Korean-style chicken wings and waffles.

— And finally, the 17th season of WTTW’s ever-popular restaurant TV show Check, Please! kicks off tonight at 8:00 p.m., when host Catherine De Orio and three guest reviewers feature Forbidden Root, Miss Saigon, and Sofi. Other season highlights include Mexique, Cellar Door Provisions, Senor Pan, and a compilation show on BYOBs.

Katana

339 North Dearborn Street, , IL 60654 (312) 877-5544 Visit Website

Sepia

123 North Jefferson Street, , IL 60661 (312) 441-1920 Visit Website

Proxi

565 West Randolph Street, , IL 60661 (312) 466-1950 Visit Website

Wow Bao

1 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 658-0305 Visit Website

The Delta

135 South 6th Avenue, , AZ 85701 (520) 524-3400 Visit Website