Berrista Brings Jam Chef on Board as Partner

IRVING PARK — As he prepares to open his new coffee shop concept, Berrista, Homaro Cantu has reeled in a partner who knows how to do brunch as well as anyone in Chicago.

Jeffrey Maura, chef/owner of Logan Square's Jam restaurant, is joining Cantu as chef/partner in Berrista.

"He made some of the most delicious food I have ever had," Cantu said of Mauro. The two formerly worked side by side in the kitchen at Charlie Trotter's.

At Jam, Mauro has become known for a menu that ranges from malted custard French toast to massaged kale salad. That kind of range and creativity dovetails with Cantu's vision for Berrista.

Berrista, which will make its home at 4217 W. Irving Park Road this spring, represents Cantu's entry into the coffee/pastry shop field — with a twist. Though the shop will offer foods made with sugar, a number of dishes will feature an ingredient known as the "miracle berry," which makes sour foods taste sweet.

Cantu can, for example, enhance lemon juice and water with a miracle berry to produce a flavor similar to maple syrup, which diners can pour with abandon over their chicken and waffles.