This is what's HOT!

(Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


So now it's finished.

Rode by The Violet Hour again, and what a difference a few days makes!

The lucky graffiti artists who transformed the swanky cocktail lounge's exterior into a scene out of 1985's Krush Groove get props for their finished project.

But I would love to see the look on a first-timer's face once they got inside the bar that sets the bar high when it comes to luxe lounging.

See, you really cannot judge a book bar by its cover . . .

Rascal Flatts deejaying at The Pony!

The crew from adorable country band Rascal Flatts hung out pretty hardcore Thursday at Lakeview sports bar The Pony, and mingled with fans and even jumped behind the turntables to spin a little.

They're in town for the first-ever country music concert at Wrigley Field Saturday—which also stars Darius Rucker. Tickets are still available here.

First-Ever BLT Fest coming to town!

We've seen just about every food festival there is—from Ribfest to "stuff on a stick" fests—but nothing is more mouthwatering than a good ol' fest filled with nothing but BLTs.

Thanks to Slow Food Chicago, Candid Wines and The Chicago Honey Coop, BLT Fest is going down in August or September, bringing together some of the city's most creative chefs certain to whip up some imaginative twists on the American classic.

Thus far, they've secured stars from Blackbird, Custom House, Avec, Publican, Osteria Via Stato, Naha, Socca, Uncommon Ground, Va Pensiero and the Signature Room on the 95th, who have pledged to use local tomatoes, heirloom pigs and other local produce in their fixins.

A kick-off event for BLT Fest takes place Aug. 23 at Osteria Via Stato with wine and BLT bites. $35.

Hot Dogs, Hot Dogs are everywhere . . .

(Photo: The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council)


Since it's still National Hot Dog Month, it behooves me to let you know about a new hot dog joint opening in the old Rockstar Dogs space on Chicago Avenue.

There's speculation that the new owners are the same ones taking over the RSD location in Lincoln Park, which will be The Dog Joint when it opens later this month.

Whether it will also be named The Dog Joint is still unclear, but we're on the case . . .

In the meantime, follow Hot Doug's and Superdawg on Twitter for classic and offbeat encased meats in Chicago.