Purple Pig

Heaven on Seven's Jimmy Bannos and his son Jimmy Bannos Jr. are teaming up with Scott Harris of the Mia Francesca empire (as well as one other partner who's keeping a low profile for now) to open this 70-seat Mediterranean-focused spot in River North in late December or early January. Sharable plates are the focus, with pork getting major menu play. Porcine highlights include pig liver pate, testa, lardo, pig lingua (tongue) and a sharable dish of sheep's milk ricotta with pork neckbone gravy. Antipasti, house-cured salumi and an extensive cheese program round out the sharable offerings. There are some larger dinner entrees too, including pork fat-confited halibut with roasted beets and blood oranges and skirt steak with seared sunchokes and bone marrow vinaigrette, while the lunch menu offers lighter fare such as panini. The mostly European (Italian, French, Spanish, Greek) wine list will be at least 200 strong with an emphasis on affordable, under-$40 bottles and a full range of options available by the glass and quartino. Wine plays a role in the decor too: An entire wall is dedicated to a wine display and huge wine barrels hang on the wall. Expect a casual, social atmosphere spurred on by a couple of 12-seat communal tables and late-night hours, with the full menu available until at least midnight and perhaps as late as 2 a.m. on weekends.

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