Eat & Drink Club strikes again!

The red arrow points to "Greg Walsh," the newest member of the "Eat & Drink Club." (Photo: Anonymous)


If you thought the notorious Jerry "The Party Crasher" Berliant was bad, get a load of this cat—the newest inductee of the Eat & Drink Club—who's been pushing his way into nightclub and restaurant openings lately:

From a tipster:

"Here's someone who goes by the name 'Greg Walsh' and says he's from NBC-5. Never has a business card on him and pushes HARD to get into events. NBC-5 never heard of him. Actually says 'Yeah, my cameras should be here a bit later' to try and get in."

What is really going on with these people?!

'Hot Chef' winner announced

Remember the Hot Chef Challenge, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show contest in which aspiring chefs are encouraged to create a two-minute video to win a chance to demonstrate at NRA?!

Well, they picked a winner: Keith Snow, president and founder of HarvestEating.com in Greenville, S.C. Snow's winning video featured him preparing "wild-caught margarita fire shrimp with South Carolina plantation rice," using locally sourced ingredients and tequila.

Check out his winning video here.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show takes place May 17-20 at McCormick Place.

A toast to 'World Cocktail Day'

I'M NOT SURE whether this is a made-up "holiday" or not, but McCormick & Schmick's pays homage to the craft of making cocktails today, which is designated World Cocktail Day.

They're pushing some of their most popular drinks, including The Pisco Sour, The Harry’s Bar Bellini and Basil Grape Refresher—all classic cocktails seeing a resurgence these days. Enjoy a couple of these during M&S's massively popular $1.95 happy hour featuring hand-crafted burgers, mussels, salads and more. City locations: 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-397-9500 or 1 E. Wacker Dr., 312-923-7226.

Other hot lounges where you can indulge in a classic, hand-crafted cocktail include:

Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727): Delight in a Luxe Blackberry Mojito (Belvedere, French blackberry liqueur, mint, lime, soda).

Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577): Live music by The Flat Cats tonight as guests sip on Grapefruit Caipirinhas made with Ketel Citron and muddled grapefruit.

The Violet Hour (1520 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-1500): Check out the NY Sour (Plymouth gin, rosé wine, egg white, orange flower water).


Live it up with more classic cocktails tonight at Fleming’s Upstairs Lounge (25 E. Ohio St.) when media personality Arianna Huffington is honored at a private meet-and-greet event to celebrate the release of her new book, Right Is Wrong. Complimentary champagne and appetizers will be served. Hosted by Michigan Avenue Magazine's Susanna Homan. 5-6:30pm. RSVP required at 312-840-8232.