The rumors that a Wicker Park chef would make it onto the new season of Top Chef are true: It's Radhika Desai, the executive chef of the Between Boutique Cafe & Lounge. I live in Wicker Park and I've never heard of the Between, but hey, I'm not a foodie. Eater reports that Desai has received a "modicum of buzz" recently, citing this Time Out Chicago review.
The Reader's Martha Baynesays the ";sexy, romantic Between Boutique Cafe & Lounge seems designed to seal the deal," which is a nice tip, but cautions that "At $18 the lobster trifecta - a trio of bisque, risotto cakes, and fresh lobster salad - is the most expensive thing on the menu, and if you ask me, not worth it, though the bisque was good."
More about Desai from her bio on Bravo's website:
"A first generation Indian American, Radhika was born in Ohio and raised in an eclectic Indian-tradition home. Trained in classic French and Indian cuisine, she has worked alongside notable chef Vikas Khanna and has staged at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. She has traveled the world over learning new techniques and flavor profiles and brings spice and bold flavors to the table combined with grace and restraint. Her favorite dish to prepare is spicy chicken and potato curry with cumin scented rice with clarified butter and mint. She describes her cooking style as globally eclectic with a huge spoonful of love."
