New on the Scene: April

New Asian small-plates spot Shochu debuted in Wrigleyville in April ... but didn't make it till the end of '09.

Viaggio Ristorante & Lounge
West Loop folks have a new casual Italian joint in the former Jay's Amore space.  Anthony Risoli, a Philly-born chef who spent the last 17 years in the Miami area, uses traditions handed down from his family to create classic Italian-American fare. The bar is open late, and the kitchen serves until midnight.

Veerasway
Restaurateur Angela Lee, who helped pioneer the Warehouse District dining area as a partner at De Cero and Sushi Wabi, continues her hipster take on ethnic fare with this "fresh Indian" small-plate spot. Look for classics such as potato- and pea-stuffed samosas and chicken tikka masala with cumin basmati rice, plus options like poached scallops in seasoned coconut milk with crispy curry leaves.

ZED451
This all-you-can-eat prix-fixe ($49) steakhouse with waiters offering dishes tableside is similar to a Brazilian churrascaria, but with flavors that extend beyond South America--plus, the chef-servers don’t have to don gaucho garb. The two-story space offers a fire pit, double-sided fireplaces, gorgeous hand-finished wood floors and plenty of leather, plus there’s an open kitchen with counter seating, a wine bar and a lounge stocked with house-infused fruity vodkas and more. The luxe rooftop deck offers an a la carte menu and a promising summer cocktailing scene. Read our First Look. Also: Date Night at ZED 451.

Mado
Locavores and carnivores are going to want to check out this rustic, fairly inexpensive trattoria in Bucktown's former Barcello's address. Though the menu changes depending on ingredient availability, you may find rotisserie chicken, whitefish with roasted purple carrots, or a hanger steak with a gorgonzola polenta on the menu. The emphasis is on Italian fare, but you'll find influences from all over the Mediterranean, including a North African-influenced dessert of dates cooked in coffee and cardamom. Read our First Look. Also: Brunch at Mado. 

The Little India Restaurant
This 40-seat Edgewater storefront is indeed smallish (carryout and delivery seem to be the focus), but the menu sure isn't. The usual suspects (chicken and lamb vindaloos, mutter paneer, chicken tikka masala) are here, but so are a couple of Pakistani options such as stew of beef trotters (called paya). You'll also find a few contemporary dishes, including cranberry walnut salad and barbecue chicken salad, plus sandwiches and wraps.

Shochu
This upscale Wrigleyville small-plate restaurant and lounge opened in the former Platiyo space. So what exactly is Shochu? It’s a distilled spirit that, as the saying goes, is big in Japan. Shochu’s menu will list 16 varieties of the signature spirit, which also makes its way into mixed drinks. On the menu, executive chef and partner Josh Hansen playfully interprets Asian flavors. Look for items such as blueberry teriyaki quail with quinoa spaetzel. Don’t worry, it’s not all chichi: "I wanted something for the dudes," says Hansen. Note to dudes: Check out the adobo-braised spareribs with plum-serrano sauce. Editor's note: Shochu closed in October 2008.

Adesso
After purchasing hip-casual Italian BYOB Adesso in Boystown last fall, the Tutto Pronto folks have grafted another Adesso onto their Streeterville gourmet Italian deli. Though the interior has has few touches from the Lakeview original, this place is even more laid-back.

Big Jones
The former chef at Schuba’s Harmony Grill, Paul Fehribach, offers "contemporary coastal Southern cuisine" at his Andersonville spot, located in the old Augie’s space. The menu includes a fried green tomato BLT; a skillet-blackened Niman Ranch pork chop with garlic greens, crisp bacon and succotash; and shrimp and grits, gulf shrimp in tasso gravy with organic stone-ground grits and wild mushrooms. Augie’s time-warped interior has been replaced by bright walls, iron chandeliers and lofty ceilings.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
This steakhouse chain, which already has a popular Lincolnshire presence, opened a 14,000-square-foot River North outpost. It seats 350 people and features an open kitchen focusing on steaks, chops, seafood and shellfish. The wine bar offers 100 wines by the glass, plus a reserve list with more than 80 bottle choices.

Check out the city's most recent openings here.

Got a tip on a new or soon-to-open restaurant? E-mail us: kpratt@tribune.com