LINCOLN SQUARE — Laughing Bird quietly announced its opening via Facebook last May, and that's the same way the Filipino-American fusion restaurant communicated its surprise closing over the weekend.
An online message posted Sunday read: "After 5 wonderful months in Lincoln Square, the owners of Laughing Bird have received a generous offer on the business and location...and, have decided to take it!"
The last meal at the eatery, 4514 N. Lincoln Ave., was served Saturday. Owner Franco Gianni could not be reached for comment.
Patty Wetli says the chef is taking the news in stride:
After operating Tank Sushi for 10 years at the same address, Gianni previously told DNAinfo.com that he was casting about for a new concept earlier this year when he met Chrissy Camba, a former "Top Chef" contestant and daughter of Filipino immigrants, and decided to build a restaurant around a more upscale interpretation of her native cuisine.
Earlier this month, Laughing Bird received a positive review from Chicago Tribune critic Phil Vettel, and as recently as Sept. 20, the restaurant appeared to be settling in for the long haul, announcing the addition of brunch service.
Camba, who now refers to herself as "temporarily retired," declined to offer further details on the closing of Laughing Bird but she did share plans for her next venture — Maddy's Dumpling House.
"The way I envision Maddy's Dumpling House is a more casual atmosphere with counter service and a fun dim sum on Sundays," Camba said via email. "I really want to get back to what I love about cooking: bringing people together, eating great food, enjoying life."
She said she hopes to find the right location and investors for Maddy's by the new year, and in the interim will be hosting pop-ups that will offer a taste of what to expect from her new cuisine.
In addition to making lots of dumplings in the coming months, Camba said she'll be spending time with farmers, volunteering at the Red Door Animal Shelter fostering rabbits (Maddy was the name of Camba's pet bunny), traveling and kicking back with hobbies like calligraphy, sewing, pottery and crotcheting.
Camba's boyfriend, fellow chef Ashlee Aubin, continues to head up the kitchen at Gianni's Salero restaurant in the West Loop.
"It's not weird," she said. "There are absolutely no hard feelings at all."
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
