Jared Wentworth Named Chef of Hotel Zachary Restaurant Mordecai

Twice-Michelin-starred chef Jared Wentworth will head up the kitchen of the forthcoming Mordecai cocktail bar and restaurant slated to open within the new Hotel Zachary near Wrigley Field.

The menu items are expected to be “refined American-inspired” with a “blend of approachable plates and unique preparations,” according to a release from Folkart Restaurant Management, Matthias Merges’ restaurant group and owners of Mordecai.

“Mordecai is designed to bring a new dining and drinking experience to Wrigleyville,” said Merges in a release. “I’m a longtime fan of Chef Wentworth’s cooking and knew he could tackle the challenge of creating a menu that appeals to sports fans, neighborhood guests and food connoisseurs.”

Folkart enlisted Alex Bachman, founder and owner of Sole Agent, to help source a deep bench of rare spirits. Whiskeys from Japan, Spain, Italy and the United States will be served alongside scotches, amer picon, amaro and other liquors. Phil Vettel reported in the Chicago Tribune that a sneak peak of the menu included cheese curds with bonito flakes and black-garlic aioli, porchetta with chicharon and barbecue carrots, togarashi-salted soft pretzels and a vegetarian plate with curry carrots, harissa and spiced romanesco. "I’m honored to be part of the Folkart Restaurant Management team and help bring Mordecai to life,” said Wentworth in a release. “Wrigleyville is undergoing an incredible renaissance and I’m excited to play a role in the culinary evolution."

The establishment is named after Cubs pitcher and Hall of Famer Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown, whose used his heavily-injured hand to become a pitcher described by Ty Cobb as the most devastating he faced. Brown had a career ERA of 2.06, and ranks 6th in career ERA.

Read more on the restaurant’s website.