The Wild Brunch

I went to dinner with a couple of my best male friends last night. Unfortunately I took them to a place with flatscreens showing NCAA college basketball. I wanted to bitch and moan about current events, dating drama, blah, blah, blah, but they weren't listening. They were too busy watching whomever was playing on the tube.

So that reminded me that "March Madness" is right around the corner. So . . . it's going to get even worse. Nonstop, all-day basketball watching—especially on Saturdays and Sundays during brunch time. We may as well get used to it and embrace it and check out some spots that do sports brunch well:

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap (41 E. Superior St., 312-867-4908). The lodge-like, Gold Coast bar recently became infamous for its seriously ridiculously over-the-top hot wings that are so intense that you have to sign a waiver in order to get them. But, if that's not your bag, go for the Hot Dog Flight with three different styles of mini hot dogs. And Sunday is their regular brunch, featuring Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast, as well as a host of omelets and skillets. Also, on Sunday, go for $3.12 312 Pints or $5 Bloody Marys from the build-your-own bar.

McGee's Tavern (950 W. Webster Ave., 773-549-8200). The Lincoln Park institution is most popular for its rowdy brunch crowd, Eggs Benedict and Haystack skillets (i.e. Placido’s Mexican Haystack, Veggiestack). Oh, and how about that build-your-own Bloody Mary bar that continues until brunch time is over? You don't want to miss that action. Multiple flatscreens over the bar and at many tables keep the natives occupied, and many people get there at 11am and don't leave until it's dark outside. Now, that's a brunch.

The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243). Or, for a more civilized brunch, we bring you this South Loop gem that's made its name as a popular post-work hangout. They've got Dirk Flanigan in the kitchen, so of course the menu's much more creative. He's put his spin on a traditional Irish breakfast, plus steel cut Irish oatmeal brulee and an apple pancake soufflé.

'You have a baby . . . in a bar?!'

Good idea or very bad idea?

Here's what Slashfood has to say on the subject.

Some notable openings

The Stew reports that Jerry Kleiner's Park 52 (5201 S. Harper Court) is opening in mid-March. For reals this time. And did we mention that Park 52 sounds too much like Table 52 (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000)? He might want to rethink that one.

Drive-Thru checks out new Loop lunch spot Noodles & Co. (180 N. Michigan Ave.).

And Basil Leaf Cafe (2460 N. Clark St.) in Lincoln Park recently closed, but it's now joined forces with sister restaurant next door, Sage (2465 N. Clark St., 773-348-7243), with a larger dining space and bar area.

Deal of the day . . .

(Photo: Dogfish)


Embrace the beer craze tonight with Vertical Tasting, in which guests get to sample an awesome selection of Dogfish Head craft beers. The event's held at Delilah's (2771 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-2771) with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery owner/brewer Sam Calagione and Delilah's owner Mike Miller leading the largest single sampling of more than 20 Dogfish Head beers ever attempted in Chicago, including many rare beers and vintages of World Wide Stout and Immort Ale. Tonight 9pm-midnight. Free.

As usual, "Greazy & Sleazy" DJ Jason Larsen spins, and for those not into Doghead, the Wednesday specials are $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon Longnecks and $2 Ten High Bourbon.

If you can't make it to Delilah's tonight, head here on Saturday, Feb. 23 for Vintage Strong Beer Fest 2008. It's the 10th annual festival for this event, and guests will get to sample more than 70 beers, primarily strong ales, from over 50 breweries. Just some of the ales include Three Floyds, Goose Island, Greg Browne Brewing, Capitol, Two Brothers, Rock Bottom, Flossmoor Station, Flatlander’s and Bell’s & Lakefront Brewing. Many of the brewers will also be in attendance. Noon-6pm. $20.

Do you want to get DIRTY?!

Last month, gastro-pubby The Filthy Libertine (1615 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-654-1782) opened in the old Aldente space in Lincoln Park.

Now, we've got an update on another naughty-named night spot that we told you about last year.

Look for DIRTY to open soon in the recently vacated Mas home at 1670 W. Division St. in Wicker Park. Owned by Dion Antic—whose Rock Star Dogs (801 N. Ashland Ave., 312-421-2364) opens in Ukrainian Village in early March—DIRTY will have some big-name celebrity involvement, "DIRTY" burgers on the menu and porn stars coming through on a regular basis. Just how "dirty" will Dion get? If you remember some of his most memorable projects like Liquid Kitty, (the first) Harry's Velvet Room and Get Me High Lounge, then you know that he does it with kick-ass flash.

The Beer Bistro takes the plunge

(Photo: Chicago Polar Plunge)


West Loop gastropub Beer Bistro (1061 W Madison St., 312-433-0013) is sending out a call for help so they can participate in the annual Chicago Polar Plunge, which is taking place on Sunday, March 2 in the freezing waters of Lake Michigan.

Hundreds of brave souls take the plunge every year to raise funds for the Special Olympics Chicago. This year, the Beer Bistro staff is going as the Polar Beers (ha!), and they're looking for donations of $100 per person.

Those who donate $100 (or more) will be able to join the Beer Bistro folks back at the bar following the Polar Plunge for a party that includes an open bar and food. Go here for more info.

Deal of the day . . .

It's the third Tuesday of the month. Do you know what that means? Probably not, so here it is:

Randolph Wine Cellars (1415 W. Randolph St., 312-942-1212), in the West Loop, hosts its Third Tuesday Tasting, a fabulous event where you get to sample more than 30 different wines that are complemented by appetizers. They'll be pouring big, bold wines for the night. Also, if there's something you particularly loved, you will also get a discount on bottles you purchase. Reservations required. 6-8pm. $30.

Also happening tonight at 6pm is a special event at Custom House (500 S. Dearborn St., 312-523-0200) in the South Loop. Guests will have the opportunity to sample vino from boutique winery Tensley Wines with small bites from Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota in the private dining room.

The winery produces more than 3,300 cases, including seven single-vineyard Syrahs—the most in Santa Barbara County.

To be tasted:

2006 Lea Black Oak Syrah Rose
2006 Camp 4 Vineyard Blanc
2005 Three Creek Syrah
2005 Tierra Alta Syrah
2006 Colson Canyon Syrah
2006 Three Creek Syrah

Space is limited; event is $40.

Holy Cow! Harry Caray gets BIG props . . .

(Photo: Harry Caray's)


Thursday, Feb. 21 marks the 10th anniversary of late Hall of Fame baseball announcer Harry Caray's passing.

And to commemorate the anniversary, Harry would not have had it any other way than what they're planning over at Harry Caray's (33 W. Kinzie St., 312-595-3500) that night. At 7pm—your time, anywhere in the world—it's the 10th Annual Worldwide Toast to Harry. Bars and restaurants worldwide in more than 100 countries will also be participating.

During the toast, Harry Caray’s in Chicago will attempt to break the Guinness record for the World’s Largest Glass of Beer. The vessel is two feet wide by four feet high and will hold 100 gallons of Budweiser. Full, the glass will weigh 1,000 pounds. The previous record of 4 gallons was set in New Zealand in 2004. Prior to the toast, they're filling the vessel with 100 gallons of Budweiser and will sell commemorative cups containing beer from the record-breaking glass for $5 each. All proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in honor of Cubs legend Ron Santo.

Celebrities around the world will toast Harry’s memory on Thursday, including Will Ferrell, Jim Belushi, Harold Ramis, Max Weinberg, Stephen Baldwin, William Petersen, Jeremy Piven, Jeff Garlin, Jay Mohr, Joe Mantegna, Fisher Stevens, Dennis Farina, Linda Fiorentino, Bonnie Hunt, Dennis Franz, Will Arnot, Woody Harrelson, Lorraine Bracco, Nick Lachey, Vanessa Minnillo and former Harry Caray’s server, James Denton, comedian Frank Caliendo, Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney, General Manager Jim Hendry, Coach Lou Piniella, Alfonso Soriano, Kerry Wood, Felix Pie and Derrek Lee, Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Ryne Sandberg, Harry’s broadcasting partner Steve Stone, current announcers Bob Brenly, Len Kasper and Pat Hughes, Chicago White Sox Jim Thome, former TV newsman Bill Kurtis, Mayor Richard M. Daley, President Bill Clinton, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, rock bands The Fray and Fall Out Boy, including Pete Wentz, and many others.

WLS AM Radio’s The Roe Conn Show will broadcast live from Harry’s Bar from 5-7pm.