District Bar soft opens Wednesday

District's semi-private VIP room. (Photo: The District)


Looks like District Bar is finally making its presence known.

Maven's hosting a "private" sneak-peek party Wednesday at this long-awaited River North spot that wants to be it all: speakeasy (enter through a faux bookcase), sports bar (40 flat screens tuned into the games) and hip dining eatery (menu items like soft-shell crab "BLT," a deconstructed gyro with lamb carpaccio, and grilled proscuitto flatbread are mighty intriguing).

Decide for yourself at the Haute Pursuit party, which includes cocktails and samplings from the menu. 6-8:30pm $20 (members); $30 (non-members). Proceeds benefit PAVE (Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment).

EXCLUSIVE: Spiaggia buys dinner for ENTIRE dining room!

(Photo: Jeff Kauck)


We should've all been at Spiaggia last night . . .

This just dropped in my mailbag:

"On a rainy Chicago evening, something extraordinary happened to a collection of restaurant patrons. Last night (April 13) the nearly full Spiaggia restaurant celebrated its 25th birthday by surprising guests and buying their dinner. Sixty guests composed of regular clientele, friends and Spiaggia newcomers received a message of thanks for their support and patronage in lieu of a bill at Chicago’s only four-star Italian restaurant, among them a 96-year-old woman who has frequented Spiaggia for 25 years.

"James Beard award-winning chef/owner Tony Mantuano shared Spiaggia’s birthday with other milestone occasions of guests in attendance, including 40th and 60th birthday parties and a wedding anniversary."

The comped dinners marked the launch of a series of surprise gifts that will be offered at Spiaggia thoughout the year. Expect these type of generous surprises to happen on the 13th and 25th days of the month—13 symbolizing Spiaggia’s actual birthday and 25 to commemorate 25 years of service.

Who knows?! You may be next!