Drink up before state tax hike kicks in on spirits

Thank God for daily drink specials because if the proposed state tax hike of 90 percent on wine and spirits (plus 21 percent on beer) goes into effect on Aug. 1, none of us will be able to afford to booze it up anymore.

Just to get you ready, here's a list of daily drinking deals so you never have to miss a beat . . .

TUESDAY

Long Room: $1 PBR Cans; $2 Jim Beam shots

WEDNESDAY

Stanley's: All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, Caesar salad; all-you- can-drink red/white wine and Bud Light pitchers for $14.95

THURSDAY

Crimson Lounge: $3 sparkling wine, beer and wine

FRIDAY

Chaise Lounge: $5 house martinis

SATURDAY

Red & White: Complimentary wine or beer tastings 3-5pm

SUNDAY

Map Room: $5 Bloody Marys, Mimosas (free barbecue, too!)

MONDAY

Debonair Social Club: Hosted PBR and Champagne bar 9-10pm (with RSVP); $2 PBR and $4 vodka cocktails

Our newest obsession!

A couple of months ago we dropped by Gold Coast Eve for a late-night noshfest, and our server talked us into indulging in chef Troy Graves' sensational lobster sausage.

Grilled to perfection and paired with exotic maitake mushrooms, smoked bacon, pearl onions and maple béchamel, it's on the appetizer menu, but it'll cost you a hefty $17.

Trust me when I say it's worth every bite.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Hearty Boys: "Last nite, Dan grilled whole whitefish over an open fire pit, Gale did giant beans with tomato and rosemary; so much leftovers."

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "Just ordered meats for first Wandering Goat Dinner...short ribs and pork shoulder and lamb stuffed calamari, oh my!"

Paul Kahan: "Publican Sunday supper with great lakes brewery tonight. Great menu. Patio is amazing tonight."

Fabio Sorano Enoteca Roma: "Just saw Bruno!"

Todd Stein: "After a great brunch at the Publican, we are having a great first Sunday night at Cibo Matto and it is busy."

The Violet Hour gets tagged again . . .

Can you spot the door of The Violet Hour underneath all that graffiti?! (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


A random Sunday afternoon cruise down Damen Avenue in Wicker Park had 312DD stumbling across a few graffiti artists tagging The Violet Hour.

The local artists were sanctioned by the bar's owners to paint a 1980s-themed graffiti scene on the popular lounge's exterior. We were told that they're just trying to shake up things along this rather hum-drum strip of the scene, so expect it to change about every eight weeks.

Last time it was a rendering of Blago in his infamous Nike track suit, so it'll be interesting to see what creative visual prose they strike up in the fall . . .