On Monday night a mysterious tweet from Lillian Brunacci, @thechefsdiamond, announced the departure of Frank Brunacci from Sixteen: “To all my Friends, My last day of employment as Exec Chef for Trump Chicago was Today, after 4 long years and way too . . . ” A press release sent out by Trump on Tuesday said that Brunacci “has chosen to pursue his life’s passion in another field,” and that chef de cuisine Joseph Rose would be overseeing operations at the restaurant, which received a Michelin star last year. Reached by phone, Lillian Brunacci confirmed that her husband will be joining her in thechefsdiamond.com, the Indiana-based online truffle company she started in May 2010.
Chef Justin White, a veteran of Custom House and the Bristol, has been tweaking a craft beer-friendly seasonal menu at the Small Bar on Fullerton (1415 W. Fullerton), featuring locally sourced items like grilled fava beans and pimento cheese with ramps in addition to burgers, sandwiches, and house-made sausages. The menu debuts at the Division Street location (2049 W. Division) on July 5.