STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Oscar-winning star Mo'Nique performs a one-woman comedy show Saturday at Arie Crown Theatre.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:

Improv Children of the Corn 4 - Soft Core Corn at Cornservatory. Just so we're clear, this improv show is not for the kids. 8pm Thursdays through June 3. Also, get ready for audience participation. Get tickets here.

Browntrout: They've got a liquor license in place at this seafood-oriented spot, but if you insist on bringing that fabulous bottle of vino, they'll charge you $20. Come on Thursdays, however, and the corkage fee is waived.

Locations Uncovered for NEXT, The Aviary?!

The interior of recently shuttered Follia, which is rumored to be the new home for Grant Achatz's NEXT. (Photo: Follia)


Apparently someone at Feast knows someone in high places because they're reporting a major scoop Monday on the forthcoming Grant Achatz projects:

"Although it’s been hush hush (and still is), a very reliable source has revealed that Grant Achatz’s highly-anticipated, hyped-up new project does, in fact, have a location. Even though we’re still mourning the loss of Fulton Market’s authentic Italian outpost, Follia, we hear that the space will allegedly house Achatz’s new, tickets-only restaurant, Next. An even juicier rumor is that his concurrent bar project, Aviary, will be taking over Fulton Lounge. With the advent of Achatz, Fulton Market might just become the culinary capital of downtown Chicago."

The Duffy Duck vs. Foss Hog

Mancow (from left), Phillip Foss and Curtis Duffy at Franks 'n' Dawgs. (Photo: Phillip Foss)


We're taking a break from our regularly scheduled Meatball Mondays to bring you something a little different today.

Apparently there's a vicious little battle going down over at Lincoln Park's Franks 'n' Dawgs, where two local celebrity chefs are competing to see who has the best signature hot dog.