Weekend dealios . . .

Not sure what you've got going on this weekend, but if you've got wine on your mind—and shopping for your wine enthusiast friends—head over to Randolph Street Cellars (1415 W. Randolph St., 312-942-1212). Every Saturday, they're popping open some wines for you to sample as you shop. 2-6pm.

And if the infamous Uptown Poetry Slam at Green Mill (4802 N. Broadway, 773-878-5552) is your thing, get to Agami (4712 N. Broadway, 773-506-1845) first for half-price cocktails and sushi at the bar. $6 for Uptown Poetry Slam; 7-10pm Sundays.

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Honky Tonk Barbeque (1213 W. 18th St., 312-226-7427): "Memphis-style baby backs and Saint Louis-style spare ribs are sprinkled with a mildly piquant dry rub, then cooked low and slow to render fat while leaving loads of flavor on the bone."—David Hammond (Chicago Reader)

The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243): "Downtown's the Gage has a split personality, and that's a good thing. In the front is a traditional pub with one of the city's best Guinness pours. At the back of this turn-of-the-century building is a more serious restaurant, with big booths and plenty of tablecloth-covered tables. But no matter where you sit, you win with Irish-inspired food from Chef Dirk Flanigan (Meritage, Blue Water Grill)."—Lisa Shames (UR Chicago)

Les Nomades (222 E. Ontario St., 312-649-9010): "For a bigger punch of flavor, I preferred (Chris) Nugent's elegant take on salade Lyonnaise — frisée and lardons meet octopus and a poached quail egg. The sweet tartness of aged sherry vinegar ties it all together, offsetting the salty bacon and just-charred hint of grilled seafood."—Alison Neumer Lara (Crain's Chicago Business)

Shop, sip and stroll in these ‘hoods

There's a major holiday party going on at the 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave.) tonight, but if you miss out on it, you can check out these shop-sip-and-stroll events on Friday:

Head to the Division Street Corridor: Slick new unisex boutique Funkshion (2121 W. Division St., 773-697-4119) hosts an event with Fortune Denim. Party includes cocktails, dessert and special product giveaways. 7-9pm. After-party takes place at Bon V (1100 W. Randolph St.) at 10pm.

Also, head down the street to Gamma Player (2035 W. Division St., 773-235-0755), where designer Agga B. presents her spring/summer collection. 6-9pm with cocktails.

And Plein Aire (2036 W. Division St., 773-227-3772) throws a Hanky Panky party from 6-9pm for its buy-two-get-one-free sale. Cocktails, dessert and other nonsense will be going on.

Over in Roscoe Village, merchants host a Holiday Stroll (Roscoe Street from Damen Avenue to Oakley Street) from 6-9pm with cocktails, appetizers, trunk shows, discounts and a tree lighting ceremony at 6pm at Costello’s (2015 W. Roscoe St.).

And finally, the Southport Holiday Stroll runs along Southport Avenue in Lakeview from 5-11pm, with late-night shopping, cocktails, carolers and horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Deal of the day . . .

There's just no fighting this snowy weather, so just go somewhere and chill out tonight.

You can start the weekend off right at sushi hot spot Blue Fin (1952 W. North Ave., 312-394-7373), which offers half-priced beer, mixed cocktails and hot sake every Thursday.

Fat Cat leads Nightlife Poll

312 Dining Diva's poll to pick the best new night spot to open in '07 is off to a great start, with Uptown's retro martini lounge Fat Cat (4840 N. Broadway St., 773-506-3100) holding on to a strong lead.

Agree? Disagree? Cast your vote now at the bottom of the page.

Webster's Wine Bar still open, Bluebird is next big thing

If you've driven past pioneering wine bar Webster's (1480 W. Webster Ave.) recently, you probably noticed a lot of construction going on over there. Have no fear, says owner Tom MacDonald, adding that they're just updating the interior to compete with the newer bars out there.

Tickets are also still available for tonight's annual Champagne tasting at Webster's, where guests may walk around sampling more than 30 Champagnes and sparkling wines for $50. Starts at 7:30pm.

And speaking of new, I talked a group of friends last night into going to MacDonald's brand-new wine-and-beer-focused lounge Bluebird Bistro & Winebar (1749 N. Damen Ave., 773-486-2473), which is only about five minutes away. It was actually refreshing not to see a bunch of familiar beer and wine brands on the menu, as Bluebird specializes in offbeat libations. Those really looking for something offbeat can indulge in the 12 or so bio-dynamic wines by the bottle only. I didn't really eat, but my friends noshed down on the fiery chicken wings (accompanied by grilled citrus fruit) and what appeared to be the most popular flatbread that night, the one with tomato, basil and pine nuts with calabrese salami, arugula and fresh mozzarella. Mmmmmmmm. Wish I hadn't eaten so much earlier.

Also, try to get here during the week because the weekends are complete madness.

Are you cool enough to get in?!

One of the Tuaca Body Art Ball performers


If you're in tight with one of our fabulous local bartenders or servers who's been invited to the Tuaca Body Art Ball, then you might just be lucky enough to get into this exclusive party happening Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Park West (322 W. Armitage Ave.).

The Body Art Ball is an invite-only, private event hosted for the hundreds of area bartenders and servers who have helped to make Chicago one of Tuaca’s top markets. I've never heard of it, but Tuaca is apparently a super-premium, brandy-based Italian liqueur. The brandy is fused with ripe citrus fruit flavors, and sweet aromatics, most notably light vanilla. Want to get an invite? You’ll have to buddy up to your bartender to get into this hot show that includes performers painted in body art, cocktails by Tuaca and plenty to eat.

Doors open at 8pm; show starts at 9:10pm sharp.

'Survivor' star on a roll with RA Sushi

Mookie Lee and his winning RAVU Roll, which is on the menus at all RA Sushi locations through December.


Remember a few weeks ago when all those former reality show contestants had to come up with creative sushi rolls for a RA Sushi contest?

Mookie Lee—who was on "Survivor Fiji"—won for his RAVU Roll, which was named after his tribe on the Emmy award-winning show. The RAVU Roll is made of tuna, spicy salmon, unagi, scallion, avocado and cucumber, topped with tempura bits and drizzled with eel sauce and wasabi mayo. If this sounds yummy to you, it's $10 until the end of the month at all RA Sushi locations, including the one at 1139 N. State St., 312-274-0011.

And finally, $3 from the sale of every RAVU roll goes to ACTIVE Chicago, Lee's group that provides underprivileged children the opportunity to participate in organized athletics and programs within the Chicagoland community.