While You Were with the Fam . . .

Jane Lynch as Coach Sue Sylvester in "Glee." (Photo: FOX)


. . . one of FOX's biggest stars from the hit TV series "Glee" was dining with friends at Table Fifty-Two on Eve of Christmas Eve. We hear Jane Lynch was thankfully not wearing her famous track suit.

And on the same evening, Bebe Neuwirth ("Cheers," "Fraiser") was also in the house. She's currently starring in "The Addams' Family" at the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre through Jan. 10.

Locals on High Alert for Party Crashers on NYE

Tareq (far right) and Michaele Salahi are the "party crashers" of the century. (Photo: Appleton/White House)


RedEye talks to experts on how to spot scammers and party crashers on New Year's Eve:

"Social extremes
Look out for the guests who are either a little too friendly or totally antisocial, advised Sarah Vargo, founder of Chicago-based public relations and event planning company Maven. '[Crashers are] either trying too hard or not at all and just looking around and not really mingling or interacting with guests,' she said.

Curious fashion choices
A guest's outfit should match the occasion, Susan Cordogan, owner of Lincoln Park-based Big City Events and Big City Bride, said. 'Most parties will state a certain kind of attire that is expected,' she said, 'and since most crashers do it spur of the moment, they won't be prepared to look like everyone else.'

Early retreats
Many private parties assign seating or dole out nameplates for each guest at dinner, which is the party crasher's signal to jet. 'They know they don't belong, so they leave before the sit-down dinners,' said Audarshia Townsend, who blogs about Chicago's party scene at 312diningdiva.com.

Skipping the formalities
Crashers won't sign the guest book or bring a gift for a personal event, according to Cordogan. 'Most of the time, they'll just walk in and go straight to the bar or buffet without saying hello to anyone,' she said."

Catch of the Day Just Got Better . . .

Carl Galvan of Supreme Lobster (Photo: Carl Galvan)


You gotta love a guy who describes himself on his Twitter page as a hardcore fish monger.

But that's just the kind of man Carl Galvan is. The 13-year chef vet, who previously worked at a number of local spots including Marche, dives into every project with gusto.

As the golden "Chicago Fish Dude" for Supreme Lobster, Galvan hobnobs every day with his former colleagues, who he affectionately calls "the pirates." For three years he's supplied premium seafood to hot spots such as Blackbird, Lockwood, L2O and Perennial. "I love being part of each story each particular chef tells of each dish," he says.

On Monday, he's gathered an all-star crew of chefs to help him serve cocktails at the year's last Shift Drinks, happening at Pops for Champagne.

The popular weekly restaurant- and bar-industry party will highlight signature cocktails served up by guest bartenders Rodelio Aglibot (Sunda), James Gottwald (Rockit Bar & Grill) and Troy Graves (Eve).

Galvan's hooking up a drink he's calling La Muerta Del Rey, made with Death's Door gin, wild orange blossom/winter herbal syrup, Veev Acai, blood orange and Meyer lemon for $9. They'll also feature $3 PBR, $5 Jameson shots and a $9 signature Hum cocktail. 9pm-2am. No cover.