Logan Icon Longman & Eagle Shakes it Up With New Chef and Menu

— Logan Square icon Longman & Eagle now has a new executive chef and a slew of new dishes a few months after losing its Michelin star last fall. Maxwell Robbins, who previously was head chef at Soho House Chicago and Gilt Bar, is now leading Longman’s food program and among his many new dishes are smoked trout brandade with brie and pickles; seared duck breast with matzo balls, soup jus, and thumbelina carrots; sturgeon with gulf shrimp, orange, and mussel bouillabaisse; and an east coast oyster with a shot of bourbon and a pickleback. Check out the revamped menus on the website.

— Here is more shuffle news at a Logan Square icon: Lula Cafe quietly added a new pastry chef. Amanda Shepard, who previously worked under renowned chef Dominique Crenn at Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, has been promoted to lead its dessert program, according to a news release. She blends her fine-dining background with Lula’s elevated farm-to-table ethos in new dishes including a twist on an apple strudel with Angelica ice cream, hazelnuts, and fennel pollen. She had been around since late 2016 at Lula.

— The Boka Restaurant Group, which is once again a James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Restaurateur, plans to expand out of state within the next couple years, partners Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz reveal in a Crain’s feature. Los Angeles is in the lead.

— Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar, Honey Butter Fried Chicken, and Bar Takito took home the “Golden Rasher” awards for most creative use of bacon at the 10th annual Baconfest over the weekend, organizers announced in a series of Tweets. Victory Tap, Rack House Tavern in Arlington Heights, and McQ’s Bar and Grill in Bolingbrook took home the people’s choice awards.

— Antique Taco Bridgeport will host food trucks in its large patio every other Wednesday afternoon and evening beginning this week. The Fat Shallot is a partner in the series and will kick off festivities at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, while Happy Lobster and Yum Dum also plan to appear.

— And finally, Portillo’s will bring back its uber-popular lemon cake for a limited time beginning tomorrow, April 10. It will be on sale at all locations as well as available for shipping anywhere in the country until September 10.