Battle of the Local Empires . . .

Rob Katz (from left), Giuseppe Tentori, Stephanie Izard, Ryan Poli and Kevin Boehm of the Boka Restaurant Group (Photo: Boka Restaurant Group)

Time for a year-end poll!

This time it's all about the shot callers, the trendsetters, the culinary collectives responsible for putting Chicago on the map with their various restaurant ventures.

You cannot pick up a restaurant section without reading something cool about what one of these guys is doing, and their names in the food community are just as valued as Tom Ford, Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton in the fashion industry.

But when it comes to the battle of the local restaurant empires, who comes out on top?! Here's your chance to decide (see the poll at bottom of page):

Matt Damon Cheers on Patriots at Jake Melnick's

This just dropped into the inbox:

"Matt Damon, who is currently shooting the movie Contagion in Chicago, relaxed at Jake Melnicks for a night of beer and Monday Night Football! Damon and some of the crew from the movie (about 16 people) shared appetizers and watched Damon's hometown team, the Patriots, play the Jets. Matt sampled a few craft brews before settling into the Lagunitas Farmhouse Saisson. The server said Damon was very gracious and the group left the server a great tip!"

Great to hear he's a nice, normal guy who tips well!