Jared Rouben Appointed Goose Island's Head Brewer

Things are certainly moving and shaking at Goose Island lately. Only a few months after Andrew Hroza stepped the Executive Chef position after John Manion moved to Branch 27, the beloved local brewery has now hired Southern transplant Jared Rouben to head the brewing operations. Rouben's roots are in the kitchen, having worked for notable restaurants such as Thomas Keller's Per Se and Todd Humphries's The Martini House. Rouben has already jumped into the local dining scene, working with local restaurants Mado, L20 and Vie on a variety of projects and has expressed interest in experimenting with molecular gastronomy for beer, dubbed "beer science."

Related:
New Head Brewer at Goose Island Clybourn has a Stellar Background as a Chef [Local Beet]
New Goose Island Brewmaster Brings Chef's Sensibility to Brewing [Chicagoist]

Full of Bull: Ferran Adria Not Closing El Bulli Permanently

No need to frantically book a flight to Barcelona two years in advance in hopes of securing a reservation to Ferran Adrià's famed molecular gastronomy restaurant, El Bulli. Despite a recent report from the New York Times that the restaurant is closing permanently, Adrià informed a Spanish newspaper that El Bulli will be only be on a two-year hiatus.

“Nothing has changed with respect to the announcement I made in Madrid in January,” Adria said.

“El Bulli will close its doors in 2012 and 2013, and will reopen in 2014.”

[via Serious Eats]

Buzz: Coffee Suppliers Move in on Chicago

Something dark is brewing (Photo: Stumptown Coffee)

Apparently other states have finally received the memo that Chicago isn't a food desert full of Midwestern simpletons — and they have started moving in on us. Resident staples Intelligensia and Metropolis seem to be seeing some small competition from non-local independent roasters. Portland's Stumptown Coffee recently nabbed newly opened Bagel on Damen, while Milwaukee roasters, Alterra, have been popping up at Oak Mill Bakery and Bleeding Heart Bakery, where they are hosting a coffee tasting and brewing demo on Feb. 20. Does this mean there's a chance San Francisco's Blue Bottle will branch out to Chicago? We'll keep you posted as this brews.

The Full English: Morning Breakfast Links

Sausage styluses in South Korea [Photo: Geekologie]

• The most adorable way to induce a coronary: Bacon Turtle Cheeseburgers [TIWYF]
• Fish fry: Asian carp kill the local eco-system, jobs [Chicagoist]
• Feds wake up and smell the mystery meat [Civil Eats]
• Vosges bacon chocolate chip pancake mix is kinda sorta good [Serious Eats]
• David Tamarkin's first-hand account on the Jen Gavin-Big Easy dramarama showdown [TOC]
• Food meats function: Sausage styluses [Geekologie]

Where In the World is Jared Van Camp?

Way to leave without saying goodbye! According to Old Town Social General Manager Shawn Meade, Executive Chef Jared Van Camp has booked it to sunny San Diego for the next two months to assist in the opening of sister restaurant, Quality Social. The new concept is slated to open March 11 and will mirror the Chicago brand with a few touches of Californian style. In the meantime, Yoni Levy has stepped up into Chef de Partie to hold down the kitchen until Van Camp's return.

Food Gone Wild: Phat Options for Mardi Gras

King of Cakes at Oak Mill Bakery (Photo: Carly Fisher)

You've already failed at those superficial diet resolutions from New Year's, so why not give it another go with 40 days of denying yourself sweets, meats and other indulgences for Lent? But before you atone on Ash Wednesday, it's a Mardi Gras hedonistic free-for-all! If you can't make it to N'awlins on February 16, here are five Chicago restaurants providing comparable options for unbridled debauchery (Within reason. Let's keep it classy).

Big Jones

(5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725)

Executive Chef Paul Fehribach seems to have casually whipped out the perfect Mardi Gras menu of muffulettas, fritters and chile-cheese crawfish etouffee, right down to the King Cake, a sweet yeast cake filled with pecan butter and brown sugar. Keeping with tradition, if you get a king cake baby in your slice, you’ll win something special. By "special," we're hoping delicious.

Carnivale

(702 W. Fulton, 312-850-5005)

When your restaurant's concept is 365 days of Mardi Gras, it's kind of a slap in the face if you don't do some crazy shit on Fat Tuesday. If an evening of live music, Brazilian dancers and stilt walkers doesn't impress you, at least you'll have Mark Mendez's menu to blow your mind.

Heaven on Seven

(600 N. Michigan Ave., 312-280-7774)

Face painters, live music from Professor John and beads — lots of beads, judging from the hundred or so hanging from Chef Jimmy Bannos's neck on the Heaven on Seven website. House favorites like Mardi Gras Jambalaya and Hoppin' John will be on hand, as well as a free slice of King Cake for every patron, flown in straight from party central in New Orleans.

Goose Island Clybourn

(1800 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-915-0071)

Taste of New Orleans without the cheesy festivities, Chef Andrew Hroza is breaking out the beer, bisque and beignets for a special Cajun-inspired beer dinner on Mardi Gras. The four-course dinner includes an amuse and five beer pairings for $40 (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with pairings such as Cajun surf 'n' turf with Lake Effect Imperial Red Ale and bourbon bread pudding souffle with Rind Grind Espresso Stout.

Smoke Daddy

(1804 W. Division St., 773-772-6656)

Trade in the winter blues for purple, green and yellow at Smoke Daddy's Fat Tuesday party. Louisiana brewery, Abita Brewing Company, will be sharing the Southern love with a free tasting from 7-10 p.m and a live performance by Cajun zydeco band, Carpetbaggers Local 606.

News Bites: Valentine's Day

Royal Miyagi oyster enveloped in the scent of a woman at Lockwood [Photo: The Pickled Tongue]

• Score the perfect Valentine's Day date with a little bribery [The Stew]
• Chefs whip up aphrodisiacs for their lovers [Grub Street]
• Best way to ruin a perfectly good relationship: a date at White Castle [Sun-Times]
• The scent of a woman is oysters, apparently. HOO HA! [The Pickled Tongue]
• 12 Valentine's cocktails to sip with your significant or toss back alone [The Kitchn]