The Purple Pig

Jimmy Bannos, Jr. has restaurants in his blood. His father launched Heaven on Seven, where the young Bannos grew up, then he trained in New York with Mario Batali’s team for a series of stages. But it’s his father’s Greek heritage and his mother’s Italian heritage the really creeps into dishes like the grilled chicken thighs with tzatziki, or the pork neck bone gravy with ricotta in the “Smears” section, along with crusty peasant bread. Charcuterie, offal, cheese, wine, seasonal antipasti…if you can’t find something to eat here, go to The Olive Garden.

The Purple Pig

500 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; (312) 464-1744