Feb. 10--Tim Graham, opening chef at Travelle Kitchen + Bar in the Langham Hotel (330 N. Wabash Ave.), is leaving.
The chef, who also cooked at Tru for 10 years and at Brasserie Jo (and helped convert that restaurant into Paris Club) will bid farewell to Travelle after Valentine's Day.
Next up? His own restaurant, in partnership with his wife, Rebekah Graham, and business partner Branko Palikuca.
"I've been thinking about it for a couple of years," the chef said. "We formed a relationship with a business partner we feel good about, and it's time to make a go of it."
Palikuca already is part owner of The Dawson in Chicago, and his suburban restaurants include Amber in Westmont, Topaz in Burr Ridge and the upcoming Citrine in Oak Park (if it's named for a yellowish semi-precious stone, chances are Palikuca has a piece of it).
Graham's new restaurant has neither a name or address; he said the search is on for something in the range of 3,500 to 4,000 square feet.
"For the last 15 years, I've cooked between the river and St. Clair Street," he said, "so something farther out would be nice."
Rebekah, until recently the wine and beer coordinator at The Publican, will run the new restaurant's beverage program, while Tim will stay in the kitchen.
Graham said he hopes to have the new restaurant open by mid-2017.
As for Travelle, director of operations Gaylord Lamy said the search is on for Graham's replacement.
"We're still in the interviewing process," he said. "But beverage director Priscilla Young is still with us, and executive pastry chef Scott Green. We know the sous chefs can keep (the restaurant) to the same standard. Tim has been key to the success of Travelle; working with him has been an adventure and a pleasure."
Phil Vettel is a Tribune critic.
pvettel@tribpub.com
Twitter @philvettel
