Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald, 45
Chef, one sixtyblue
A little over a year ago, French chef Martial Noguier left this oft-forgotten West Loop restaurant. An American, Michael McDonald, just off a stint at Charlie Trotter’s Las Vegas restaurant, replaced him. We reviewed it. It was still very good. Then we forgot about it. But McDonald brought us back with his specials: first, $4 burgers on Thursday, then $5 pizzas on Fridays and dressed-up hot dogs (though those last two are just fond memories). Lots of restaurants have specials, but few go this far out on a limb to offer diners an unexpected and new experience, not just a cheaper product. Through it all, McDonald, previously a virtual no-name in Chicago, kept busy on Twitter, diligently retweeting diners’ comments and integrating himself into the scene. After the announcement of his newest special—fried chicken and Champagne Wednesdays—we no longer forget about one sixtyblue; in fact, we can’t stop thinking about it. 1400 W Randolph St, 312-850-0303.