NYC's Altro Paradiso will host a pop-up by way of Chicago this October

Chicago’s beloved Lula Cafe has been delighting denizens of the Windy City for nearly a quarter of a century, and now it’s bringing its bites to the Big Apple.

The Second City staple, whose long-ago, far away French toast lingers in the taste memory of at least one Gotham restaurant critic, its heavenly texture somehow unequaled even among our own excellent bruncheries here in the five boroughs, lands in Manhattan at Altro Paradiso from noon to 4pm on Friday, October 20. The brief appearance is tied to the October 4 debut of chef and restaurant owner Jason Hammel’s new release, The Lula Cafe Cookbook: Collected Recipes and Stories.

Hammel himself will join Altro Paradiso for the occasion, adding his own littleneck clams with sorrel almond pesto and anchovy soffritto broth, Parisian gnocchi with mini lamb meatballs and soubise sauce and pappardelle with walnut bolognese, the recipe for which appears in the book, to the downtown Italian restaurant’s menu. This will be Lula Cafe’s first flicker in NYC. Reservations for the narrow window are available here. 

Lula Cafe first opened in Chicago’s Logan Square in 1999. It’s since expanded its space and earned accolades like a Michelin Bib Gourmand, among others. A version of that fantastic French toast still appears on its present menu. 

Altro Paradiso is located at 234 Spring Street.