juli b | october eats.

there's no denying fall's here. it may be getting cold outside, but it's hot as ever inside the kitchens of this month's picks.

mano y mano.
there's a new italian spot on the block. but it's not your standard fare. john caputo (Bin 36, bin wine café) plans to bring a mano to river north, a trattoria with seasonal, artisan fare and a nod to his roots. start with salumi or crudo. dive into antipasti of roast peppers and capra honey cheese. taste homemade pastas and wood-rotisserie meats. end with the twelve-flavor gelato and sorbet bar. caputo learned to make these treats "a mano" in italy. opens october 10. 335 north dearborn street at carol avenue. 312.629.3500.

steak's the word.
they're at it again. the brains behind japonais plan to open brasserie ruhlmann across the street in the old montgomery ward building. it'll be a massive, new scenester spot serving up steaks (unlike its french fare-heavy sister location in nyc), headed up by chef christian delouvrier. the name pays homage to the famous art deco guru emile-jacques ruhlmann. opens mid-october. 618 west chicago avenue at north larrabee street. no number yet. www.brasserieruhlmann.com

eppy-meister.
craving a good hearty reuben? head to the second planned outpost of the streeterville eppy's deli, this time in the loop. think jewish deli (katz's nyc anyone?) with 'wiches as big as your head. think piled high meats, real boiled bagels, homemade cream cheese and killer potato salad, with prices that match the weather. here's a tip: come hungry. or have a small army in tow. opens late october. 162 north franklin street at west randolph street. 312.943.7797 (streeterville location).

drawing up a revamp.
the time has come: le passage is getting an extreme makeover. along with a rehab of the place, they will add brand new the drawing room for the back room. celeb chef shawn mcclain plans to help out menu-wise, so look for toned-down influences from his spots custom house and green zebra. re-opens late october. 937 north rush street at east oak street. 312.255.0022. www.lepassage.com

small plates, schmall plates.
tapas is still cool. at least that's the message at south looper exposure tapas supper club serving up not spanish, but american fare on small plates in a big space. 16,000 square feet that is, with lots of wood and red velvet seats in its own art "gallery". try baked oysters rockfeller or bigger plates like ahi tuna pinot noir with wild mushrooms and toasted swiss chard. there will be plenty of raw seafood. expect to hear live music regularly in the swanky-chill lounge opening in a couple months. 1315 south wabash at 13th street. 312.662.1082. www.exposuretapas.com