LINCOLN SQUARE — Any chef who's taken part in a Food Network show that swaps out contestants' cooking utensils for golf clubs can probably handle the pressure of serving afternoon tea.
Tim Havidic, winner of Season 4 of "Cutthroat Kitchen" in 2014, will be bringing his nerves of steel — but presumably not his nine iron — to Ampersand Wine Bar as chef de cuisine alongside owner Darren McGraw.
After switching locations and expanding his concept since announcing Ampersand in early 2014, McGraw is drawing close to a late-June opening for the wine bar, 4845 N. Damen Ave. Bringing Havidic on board and advertising for wait staff are two signals that in McGraw's case, "coming soon" should be taken at its word.
McGraw and Havidic both trained under luminaries of Chicago's restaurant scene: McGraw as head pastry chef for Charlie Trotter and Havidic as executive chef at the late Homaro Cantu's iNG.
With those kind of chops in the kitchen, expect Ampersand's small plates and "rustic comfort dishes" — which McGraw has been testing at a series of friends-and-family underground dinners — to be more along the lines of scallops with sweet peas and pickled ramp than artichoke dip with pita.
Afternoon tea will be offered 3-6 p.m. daily, featuring pastries, sandwiches and salads, as well as beverages both caffeinated and boozy.
Once open, Ampersand's hours will be 3-10:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 3-11 p.m., Friday; noon to 11 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 10 p.m., Sunday.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
