Jackie Shen has her name on a restaurant again - New Buffalo

Jackie Shen, one of Chicago's original celebrity chefs, has once again put her name on a restaurant — this time, in New Buffalo, Michigan.

After closing her namesake restaurant in Lincoln Park, which specialized in Asian/French fusion, in 1996, she oversaw the kitchens at Red Light and Marche in the West Loop before being named executive chef at Chicago Cut in 2011.

She opened Jackie's Cafe at the end of May in the former home of the Grateful Diner (and before that Kite's Kitchen) at 801 W. Buffalo St. Ms. Shen said she has a five-year lease on the space, which is still owned by the former restaurateurs.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... rant-again

Is this the same woman who owned a small bistro, many years ago, on the east side of Lincoln Ave just north of Altgeld (or Montana)? She was once associated with Jean Banchet? That place was excellent.

Edit:
I just saw the reference to Red Light. I think I may be getting her mixed up with Jackie Chen. Sorry.

d4v3 wrote:Is this the same woman who owned a small bistro, many years ago, on the east side of Lincoln Ave just north of Altgeld (or Montana)? She was once associated with Jean Banchet? That place was excellent.

I recall Jackie's on the west side of the street. The space had double awnings. The chocolate bag with mousse was her signature.

My memory says west side of the street also.

Amazing what the human brain is able to retain.

The same Jackie.

We have picked up some take out items that have been excellent, including a fresh strawberry tart. I think the restaurant, bakery, and take out deli are still a work in progress.

I hope she decides to open some evenings for dinner with an expanded dinner menu.

pairs4life wrote:

d4v3 wrote:Is this the same woman who owned a small bistro, many years ago, on the east side of Lincoln Ave just north of Altgeld (or Montana)? She was once associated with Jean Banchet? That place was excellent.

I recall Jackie's on the west side of the street. The space had double awnings. The chocolate bag with mousse was her signature.

Yes, my mistake. Now that I think about it, it was clearly on the west side of the street. I don't know why I got east and west confused, maybe because Lincoln runs at an angle. Anyhow, my original assessment still stands. That place was excellent. Especially for so long ago. She was very innovative for the early 1980s. I will have to make a stop the next time I am through New Buffalo.

I'm not sure which other place has both Belgian waffles and homemade potstickers on the menu (I'm sure Rene G would know). They are both excellent, as were the pancakes with granola and the eggs Florentine.

This place defines cute, with a dining area smaller than the professional spacelab catering / baking kitchen, white beadboard walls, sunny accent paint, and a side garden and terrace. The menu is eclectic but not edgy. Chinese noodle salad and egg foo young sandwich (though not quite a true St. Paul) accent a chops and fish and grilled chicken menu.

Jackie seems more at ease here than places I've followed her for years, and has a charming staff. Autographs by Studs and Mike and Roger are on the walls, along with glamor shots of the chocolate bag. Don't pass up those lacy-edged potstickers if you stop through.

Where’s celebrated chef Jackie Shen? She’s thriving in Michigan, running a cafe.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertai ... story.html

Dave148 wrote:Where’s celebrated chef Jackie Shen? She’s thriving in Michigan, running a cafe.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertai ... story.html

We eat here four times a year (since and beyond my 2015 post) and it's a joy. She's always in the kitchen and dining room and seems positively relaxed vs. our period of acquaintance in the West Loop. We also buy the lemon curd for use at home. Between this and Luisa's Cafe (best avocado toast and carrot cake waffles around and Instagrammably cute) at the Swedish Bakery in Harbert, it's like a stretch of breakfast nirvana as close as Michigan.