'Dine Around' in West Town is Underway

Arami's fire-roasted kamas (fish collars) with sweet soy and Meyer lemon. (Photo: Arami)

I've been gushing about this one for a couple of months and now it's finally here.

Through March 15 (Sunday-Thursday only), West Town's first-ever Dine Around event happens at nine restaurants mostly along Chicago Avenue.

Its goal is to showcase the diversity of chef-driven eateries in the area. Diners are encouraged to scoop up a "passport" for a $5 donation at one of the participating restaurants and area retailers. The donation goes toward the improvement of Eckhart Park.

Passport holders who visit the restaurants or wine retailers over the nine-week period will receive special off-menu dishes, tastings, or pairings created exclusively for the program. Diners who complete the entire passport will be entered to win a gift certificate for four guests at one of the restaurants.

Participants and initial offers include:

Ed Burns Finally Gets into Girl & The Goat

The last time award-winning actor/producer Ed Burns was in Chicago, he couldn't get a reservation for Girl & the Goat.

Owner/chef Stephanie Izard and partner Kevin Boehm reached out to him immediately and said that the next time he was in town that they'd assure he'd get in.

Burns got his chance when over the weekend he was in town promoting his latest movie, Newlyweds, at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Izard taped a personal invitation—including an offer to buy him a beer—that aired during his appearance on The U's You & Me This Morning Friday.