Coming at cha . . .

Joynt Piano Bar & Retro Club (650 N. Dearborn St., 312-573-2233) opens in mid-March in River North to give Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577) a run for its money.

And Perennial (1800 N. Lincoln Ave.), the American bistro by Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm that had expected to open sometime in March, is running behind schedule. They're now telling us to look forward to their debut in early to mid April.

Boom Boom Room returns?!

Sorta. But Music 101—which had been hosting the legendary Monday night party for several years at Green Dolphin Street (2200 N. Ashland Ave., 773-395-0066)—is now calling it Beats, Bass & Rhythm.

They've teamed up with Chicago Pride and Crunch Fitness to hold it at Vision (640 N. Dearborn St., 312-266-1944), and the launch event happens on March 3 with deep house masters Tony Humphries and Roy Davis Jr. bringing on the beats.

Also, $5 Stoli drinks, $3 domestic beers, and complimentary shuttle service between Minibar (3341 N. Halsted St.) and Vision starting at 10pm. 10pm-4am Mondays. RSVP for comp admission before midnight.

A little lovin' straight from the oven

Over on the L.2O blog, Chef de Cuisine Francis Brennan gushes over the arrival of The Pavailler, a "three deck, steam injected oven built for the purpose of baking crusty loaves of bread."

The modern, high-end seafood eatery L.2O is still on schedule to open this spring at 2300 N. Lincoln Park West.

Party with Snoop?!

I don't know why he's in town today, but I just got a message in my inbox that hip-hop star Snoop Dogg is supposed to make an appearance at Transit (1431 W. Lake St., 312-491-8600) tonight.

Hosted by urban party group Good Life Chicago, the weekly Thursday night affair will definitely have members of the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards in attendance—if you're into that sort of thing. Deejays Seanmac, Mustafa Rocks and phatmike spin hip-hop and urban hits; the cover is $10 before 11:30pm.

If Snoop does actually show up, expect this party to be off the shizzle fo sho.

UPDATE: Ha! He's here to perform two shows at the House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn St., 312-923-2000).

Leap into the weekend

It only comes around once every four years, so it's time to get out and celebrate Leap Year. Let's start tonight!

THURSDAY

The Akira Men's Store (1910 W. North Ave., 312-423-6693) in Bucktown gets a makeover, and they're doing it BIG with a party tonight from 6-10pm at all their stores on North Avenue. Deejays, free food, comp cocktails, 20 percent off purchases, and free gifts are all included. Deejays White Shadow, Lee Michaels and Mano perform next to the Red Light District Dancers. The official after-party takes place down the street at Plan B (1635 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-252-2680) with drink specials, more deejays and no cover. That goes on until 2am.

For a more chilled-out experience, head to Fiddlehead Cafe (4600 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-751-1500) for Wines of Spring and Summer. The walk-around tasting includes more than 70 wines with light snacks, from 6-8:30pm. Cost is $35 in advance; $40 at door.

Spring is also in the air at Manor (642 N. Clark St., 312-475-1390) for the Crunch Fitness Spring Break Party. DJ Gusto spins; and get there early for the Ketel One cocktail reception (10-11pm) for complimentary Crunch Punch. Guests may also enter to win a trip to Miami with personal training sessions from Crunch Fitness to get your beach body ready.

OK. DJ Rockcity spins at Relax Lounge (1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6006) tonight in what he's calling his "uncensored version of dope music." I cannot wait! 9pm-2am.

And head to Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000) for Hoppy Hour, a charity event hosted by the Medical Research Junior Board Foundation of Children's Memorial Hospital. The pre-Leap Year Day celebration includes beer, wine, cocktails and appetizers for $30. 5:30-8:30pm.

FRIDAY

Today is the final day for the first-ever Chicago Restaurant Week. Get on it!

If you haven't been to After Dark in a while, the after-work event hosted by the Art Institute Associates, it's time to return. Get guided tours of Edward Hopper's exhibit, enjoy cocktails and light appetizers as DJ Mother Hubbard spins. Also, live music by Tom Schraeder and the Viator Records Revue; performances by Collaboraction. 6-10pm. $20 for the public, $15 for Associates members. 111 S. Michigan Ave., 312-443-3600.

Outfit Events wants to make sure you take advantage of that extra day this month with this Leap into Enclave party. Deejays Dante the Don and Ryan Pullano spin here first, then the action continues at late-night haven Stone Lotus (873 N. Orleans St., 312-440-9680) until 4am. Doors open at 9pm at Enclave (220 W. Chicago Ave., 312-654-0234). $20.

Waterhouse (3407 N. Paulina St., 773-871-1200) wants you to celebrate your right to drink with their third-annual Prohibition Party. They'll have drink specials, 1920s-style decor, live music and deejays spinning all your favorite tunes. 9pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

If you still got energy, head to Sound-bar (226 W. Ontario St., 312-787-4480) for White Frog Entertainment's party with deejays and late-night action until 5am.

SUNDAY

Revert back to childhood days with Marche's Annual Dr. Seuss Dinner. They're celebrating Theodor “Ted” Seuss Geisel’s 104th birthday with waitstaff decked out in whimsical costumes (look for Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2!), decorations from all your favorite Seuss books, and dishes like The Grand Who Burger; Moose in a Blanket, Wee Beans (house-made sausage, wrapped in pastry, campfire slow cooked beans); Sam's Green Eggs and Ham (poached egg, parma procuitto-spinach sauce, Madiera sherry demi, Bearnaise sauce); and The Once-Lers Roast Wild Beast Blue Who Goo Holly-Who-Mash, Grickle Grss Moose Juice (grilled prime ribeye, Rouqfort crust, crème fresh whips, grilled asparagus and black peppercorn sauce). 833 W. Randolph St., 312-226-8399.

'Kitchen Nightmares' diner tells all

Gordon Ramsay of "Kitchen Nightmares" (Photo: FOX)


Aha! Last night, a poster on LTHForum.com got a chance to be part of a taping of FOX reality show "Kitchen Nightmares" before the miraculous changes took place. Unfortunately, chef/host Gordon Ramsay wasn't on site, but the diner had an interesting time nevertheless at Cafe 36 (22 Calendar Court, 708-354-5722) in La Grange. Here's the report. And, according to Suburban Life, "Kitchen Nightmares" will be there until Saturday.