Acclaimed Chef Paul Virant embarks on a new culinary journey with the opening of Petite Vie, a French café and brasserie, located just around the corner from Virant’s celebrated restaurant Vie, which closed in October 2023 after an amazing 19- year run. A James Beard nominee, Food & Wine Best New Chef and most recently named Chef of the Year at the prestigious Jean Banchet Awards, Virant is eager to return to his roots and share his passion for French cuisine with the Chicagoland community and beyond.
With successful ventures such as Vistro Prime, a neighborhood steakhouse in Hinsdale and Gaijin, the city’s first okonomiyaki restaurant located in Chicago's West Loop, Virant has firmly established himself as a respected luminary in the hospitality industry. The opening of Petite Vie represents more than just a new addition to his repertoire; it symbolizes a homecoming to the cuisine that first ignited his culinary imagination.
"Opening Petite Vie feels like coming full circle," says Chef Paul Virant. "French cuisine is where my journey began, and after years of exploration and focusing on other types of food, it's inspiring to return to the flavors and traditions that I was formerly trained in."
Nestled at 909 Burlington Avenue in the heart of downtown Western Springs, Petite Vie is poised to become a culinary destination, offering a menu curated with classic French dishes infused with Chef Virant's signature flair. Spending time researching in France earlier this year for inspiration, Virant has crafted every dish with meticulous attention to detail and a reverence for tradition.
Seating 65 guests, Petite Vie’s intimate space exudes the warmth and comfort of a traditional French brasserie, while seamlessly blending modern design elements. A collaboration between Virant, his wife Jennifer and long-time friend and designer Jody Tate, every detail at Petite Vie tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful curation. Featuring French intricacy and layering, the space is a canvas of artistic expression, with artwork curated from both local talents and treasures acquired during the team's time in Paris. Framed prints, commissioned paintings, and a round antique mirror passed down through generations, adorn the walls, adding layers of visual intrigue.
