So Very, Very Hot Right Now.

Allium's Bananas Foster milkshake (Photo: Allium/Four Seasons Chicago)

Yeah, it's hot all right, and three of Chicago's most luxurious hotel properties fight it out (unintentionally?!) to decide which one offers the best gourmet frozen treats on National Ice Cream Day.

That gloriously decadent day occurs Sunday, July 21, and the executive pastry chefs from the Four Seasons' Allium, Ritz-Carlton's dec Rooftop Lounge + Bar and Park Hyatt's NoMI Kitchen are going all out. (July is also National Ice Cream Month).

NoMI, for example, transforms its lounge into Soft Serve Sundae School, and Meg Galus has created an assortment of toppings (cookie crumble, lemon curd, graham streusel, peanut butter fudge chunks, etc.). Each sundae is $10, and the event takes place noon to 8pm Sunday.


The Dec's Black Forest float (Photo: Galdones Photography)

Over at Allium, chef Scott Gerken is calling his event a "modern" ice cream social, which takes place 3-6pm Sunday. He'll feature house-made ice creams ($5) and milkshakes ($4) in unique flavors like banana curry, sesame yuzu granite, blood orange thyme sorbet, miso butterscotch and Bananas Foster. And, at The Dec, look for Eric Estrella's whimsical menu of sundaes and floats made with housemade syrups and locally sourced toppings. We're certainly looking forward to the Black Forest with chocolate and cherry ice cream, dark chocolate pieces, fresh Door County cherries, and topped with Coca-Cola. He's also created one-bite pushpops in three flavors: lemon meringue, banana cream, and milk chocolate and salted pretzel. His delights are available daily until 3pm.


Bacon & BBQ Parfait at County Barbeque (Photo: County Barbeque)

Erick Williams (also exec chef at MK) has got an instant hit on his hands with the newly opened County Barbeque—the latest project from restaurateurs David Morton and Michael Kornick. And what I've been fondly thinking about since the media preview comes from the Bacon Bar’s tasting menu. I've got a thing for the Bacon & BBQ Parfait in layers of house-smoked bacon, caramelized onions, cheese grits and bacon bits, topped with a crispy bacon garnish. It's pure genius.


Davanti Enoteca River North (Photo: Barry Brecheisen/Urban Daddy Chicago)

Speaking of fresh new openings, Davanti Enoteca River North is now ready for business. Our pals over at Urban Daddy Chicago tell you everything you need to know before you go.