Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar

FAMILY TREE After years of working together at Webster’s Wine Bar, Jamie McLennan, Tonya Pyatt and Johnny Hap (pictured, left to right) got that ambitious itch to give it a go on their own. But when their Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar opens this week, it’s a sum of its parts much bigger than the co-owner trio. Craig Cooper of Pops for Champagne consulted on bubblies, Webster’s Jeremy Quinn helped out with French wines, Goose Island’s Paul Johnston gave suggestions for the global beer list, Webster’s Graham Anderson contributed Greek wine picks, HotChocolate chef Mark Steuer built a menu that includes Matilda-steamed mussels and an open-faced crispy pork-belly sandwich, and Remy Ayesh, a former fromagier from Spiaggia, will concoct the seasonal jams, pickles and other accompaniments for her domestic cheese lineup. Pyatt plays den mother, overseeing the rotating art and corralling the team to arrive at its two dozen beers, 18 wines by the glass, 65 bottles and $4–$12 small plates served until 1am nightly. And yes, she gets by with a little help from her friends. 954 N California Ave (773-292-1616).

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