Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Your FREE tix to hottest game in town!

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Stephanie Izard is the executive chef and co-owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in early 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


So it happened again.

Stephanie Izard's second Wandering Goat Dinner sold out earlier this morning when the tickets went on sale. This time it happened in 90 seconds flat. Wow.

But have no fear. There's still a chance to get in on the hottest game in town if you follow her on Twitter, as she's "hiding" some free tickets at several secret locations around the city.

Good luck!

Autumn openings you don't want to miss!

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Jason Paskewitz is executive chef/partner at Gemini Bistro, set to open Sept. 9. (Photo: Gemini Bistro)


09.09.09.

Remember that date because that's when Jason Paskewitz (The Pump Room, Wave) returns prominently to the Chicago dining scene after a notable absence.

This time the quirky New York chef's taking his skills to Lincoln Park as executive chef and partner of Gemini Bistro, featuring modern-day dishes inspired by French, Italian and classic American preparations.

We've already indulged in some of the highlights from the dinner menu, including the Duck Confit Nachos (with shredded duck leg, manchego cheese and mango salsa), grilled Hangar Steak Frites (with mustard greens and poached lady apples) and the pan-seared jumbo sea scallops, so rest assured we'll be back to check out the rest.

Also promising is the brunch menu, which is always a good thing in this part of town. The stuffed vanilla brioche French toast and Cape Cod Lobster Roll are certain to be big sellers. And the Brunch Punch (made with flavored rum, fresh orange, fresh pineapple, grenadine and a dark rum floater) will make every Sunday a fun day.

The fall lineup for restaurant openings is bigger than the theater season!

Find out what's popping off here, including the first outpost of New York's Mercadito, Michael Kornick's DMK Burger Bar, former Food Network stars Hearty Boys' downscaled HEARTY and Jimmy Bannos' take on the gastropub, The Purple Pig.

Baller is 'generous with tip'

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Miami Heat star and Chicago homeboy Dwayne Wade impressed the staff at Feast Bucktown Tuesday, according to an Ultimate Insider:

"Dwayne Wade and girlfriend ate at Feast tonight and earned big props from the staff for being generous with their tip. Not huge news, but lots of notables are less generous."

That's so good to hear considering that we hear so much about other pro athletes (We're looking at you, Jordan and Pippen!) not being as generous.

But is the real story here about who that girlfriend was?! Word is that Wade is currently dating starlet Gabrielle Union, so we're on the case to see if that's who was dining with him . . . .

We also hear the baller and girlfriend also hit up Roof after dinner.

UPDATE: Feast owner Debbie Sharpe confirmed Gabrielle Union indeed dined with Wade at the popular Bucktown restaurant, and the couple left a SEVENTY PERCENT TIP.

Well done, Wade!