Your Momma . . .

. . . is a very special lady, and her Big Day is May 11. If you haven't made those plans yet, 312 Dining Diva has got you covered with these offbeat dining options:

The Chopping Block. Spend the afternoon cooking a three-course meal with you mom at either location of this popular cooking school. You'll get to make prosciutto-wrapped asparagus; egg, spinach and cheese stuffed crepes with Hollandaise sauce; and a lemon tart with strawberries. 10am at Merchandise Mart (Suite 107, 312-644-6360); 11am in Lincoln Square (4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-6700). $75 per person.

Geja’s Café (340 W. Armitage Ave., 773-281-9101). They're offering an all-inclusive fondue lunch that includes cheese fondue, a choice of chicken or shrimp, flaming chocolate fondue and Champagne. All moms will also get a free five-minute massage by a licensed massage therapist. Doors open at noon. $30.

Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-7100). Shawn McClain's contemporary vegetarian-focused eatery serves up a la carte brunch choices like baked cheese fondue with Granny Smith apples and sourdough bread; aged cheddar grilled cheese with tomato-onion chutney; caramelized vegetable hash, roasted tomato vinaigrette, baked eggs; and Challah French toast with black pepper and strawberries. 10:30am-2pm. Prices vary.

Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677). Indulge your mom with premium bubbly during the Mothers of Champagne celebration all weekend long. Pair executive chef Andrew Brochu's American progressive menu with a number of champagne specials such as Louis Roederer Brut Premier and Pommery Brut Rosé.

Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar (215 N. Clinton St., 312-928-0800).
Mothers get a complimentary glass of Henriot Blanc champagne from noon to 8pm on their big day when they order from the classic American menu. Enjoy entrees such as slow-roasted chicken thigh with faro, braised artichokes, Swiss chard and sorrel sauce or Walleye Pike with English pea custard, black trumpet mushrooms, white corn and roasted red pepper nage. Prices vary.

Sinha Elegant Cuisine (2018 W. Adams St., 312-491-8200). Transport Mom to Brazil at caterer Jorgina Pereira's weekly exotic brunch/early dinner giving props to her homeland. Dig into filling portions of authentic Brazilian cuisine, dance to the music (with dancers in full costume!) and mingle with others who're there to have a good time. Hopefully the day will be warm so diners may relax on the outdoor patio. 2-8pm. Reservations are mandatory. BYOB; $30.

Vermillion (10 W. Hubbard St., 312-527-4060). Savor a six-course, Indian-Latin seafood supper with delights like lobster bisque, blue corn-crusted scallop, lobster ceviche, tamarind shrimp and Brazilian caldeirada. And if you're looking for something beyond the usual bubbly, get one of their "herb & spice" champagne fizzes (blueberry cardamom fizz, jalapeno cilantro or prickly-pear ginger). Moms get one for free! Noon-3pm; 5-10pm. $55 per person.

Best 'Morning After' Brunch?!

Uhm, OK, CitySearch rounds up the best breakfast spots to go after a one-night stand. Classy!

A Chicago connection—sorta—to the Puff Daddy party tonight

I soooo need to be in LA right NOW.

My girl DJ Kiss, the hottie New York deejay who's spun for the likes of Lenny Kravitz, chef Gordon Ramsay and Puff Daddy (or whatever he's calling himself these days!), performs tonight at the private party celebrating Puffy getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It's rumored that he's spending $4 million for this little shindig where 250 of his closest friends have been invited.

If you're curious as to why Puffy is bringing Kiss on as the only deejay for the night, don't miss her when she returns to Chicago next month. She's already played her special mix of mashups at J Bar (610 N. Rush St., 312-660-7200), NV Penthouse Lounge (116 W. Hubbard St., 312-329-9960), Le Passage (937 N. Rush St., 312-255-0022) and Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222), so I'll keep you updated on where she hits town next.

A change is comin' in River North

312 Dining Diva broke the story a few weeks ago that Randy Zweiban was resigning from Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727), so now here's more exclusive dining news you can use:

Look for Madame Tartine, a 1970s-style brasserie, to take over BB's at 22 E. Hubbard St. soon. Even though BB's partner Donnie Kruse (Melvin B's, Stanley's, Butterfield 8) has had much success with his current concept, he's decided to change it up.

He's teaming up with super-successful restaurateur Jonathan Segal (PJ Clarke's, Minnies) for this next project. Look for more information soon because they're still in the planning process.

And speaking of hot new spots, there's word that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's coming to town in 2009!

New tapas for Old Town

Eivissa Tapas and Sangria Bar expects to open later this month. (Photo: Eivissa Tapas and Sangria Bar)


Eivissa, Spain is known for its vibrant nightlife and restaurants, so it's no surprise that this Spanish-focused eatery of the same name is coming to the bustling Old Town 'hood this spring.

Located at 1531 N. Wells St., Eivissa Tapas and Sangria Bar will offer an extensive sangria menu as well as contemporary takes on Spanish dishes. Check back for more info as it becomes available.

May Day, May Day . . .

Relax with Relax Lounge’s homestyle burger during National Hamburger Month. (Photo: Relax Lounge)


In high school, May 1 was “national hooky day” for seniors. But now that we’re all grown ‘n’ sexy, we’ve got bigger things to look forward to this month:

May is National Hamburger Month, and we’re not talking the Golden Arches or Having it Your Way. Head to Potter’s (17 E. Monroe St., 312-917-4933), the sleek new lounge tucked inside the Palmer House Hilton, for a trio of Kobe beef silver dollar sliders that come on mini brioche buns and drenched with black peppercorn sauce. Get them with the flavorful truffled potato chips. In West Town, make your way to groovy rock spot Relax (1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6006) for a juicy 1/3 lb Angus beef burger or surprisingly delicious veggie burger drizzled with their special “Pharmacy sauce.” Add a basket of hand-cut fries for only a $1. And at Harry Caray’s Tavern (3551 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-327-7800) in Wrigleyville, you’ll want to take advantage of the Holy Cow! Burger Bar, where you customize your burger at a special station. Choose the meat (Wagyu beef, Tallgrass beef, venison, lamb or veggie), preparation (charbroiled, Cajun, peppercorn crusted), sauces (Jack Daniel’s BBQ sauce, Harry’s Famous Chili) and bun (sesame brioche, whole wheat, potato) for the perfect sandwich.

Also happening all month is Pure New Zealand: Wines to Dine For, a month-long tribute to New Zealand wines as some 30 area restaurants offer varietals by the glass, by the flights and paired with select menu items. Favorites such as Shaw's Crab House (21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722), Tru (676 N. Saint Clair St., 312-202-0001) and Feast (1616 N. Damen Ave., 773-772-7100) will host wine dinners while both locations of Goddess and the Grocer (1646 N. Damen Ave. or 25 E. Delaware Pl.) will offer 10 percent off all New Zealand wines. A complete list of restaurants can be found here.

Also happening:

THURSDAY

Social Therapy, hosted by Miracle Entertainment and Chicago’s Black Professional Network, takes place at Victor Hotel (311 N. Sangamon St., 312-733-6900). The party gets started right after work at 6pm and continues until 2am. Deejays I.N.C. and World crank out all the classic and contemporary dance music for your grooving pleasure.

Sola’s (3868 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-327-3868) executive chef Carol Wallack is heading to the world-famous James Beard House in New York to cook next week, but before she jets off, she’s previewing that special supper to local diners. For $85, you’ll get a five-course meal paired with wines. The menu includes Berkshire “kalua” pork potstickers; Vietnamese-style pho with oxtail dumpling, bean sprouts, herbs, and chilies; cocoa nib crusted scallops; and a double cut “sola” lamb chops stuffed with cambazola served with curried eggplant and chinese long beans and crispy cippolini.

Braziliance returns to Sonotheque (1444 W. Chicago Ave., 312-226-7600), featuring local deejays spinning infectious Afro-Brazilian, Latin and other mesmerizing music. Get busy at this super-sensual party where there is noooo parking on the dance floor. 9pm-2am. $5.

FRIDAY

It’s the second-annual Looptopia, happening 5pm until 7am Saturday in the heart of the city. The event showcases top and emerging local artists for 14 hours, and concludes at sunrise (7am) with a special performance in Millennium Park.

It’s Lumen’s (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222) first-ever champagne tasting, and master sommelier Serafin Alvarado—a recipient of the prestigious 2005 Bill Rice Distinguished Sommelier of the Year award—will guide guests through the various sparkling wines. Assorted appetizers from Jordan's Food of Distinction and Vosges chocolates will be served with each bubbly. 8pm-2am. $40.

Who needs “Dancing with the Stars” when we have the finals of the annual Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727) Bacardi-Bud Select Salsa Competition happening right here under our noses?! Watch the very best salsa dancers square off against one another during this very energetic event. Begins at 11pm. $50 per person food and beverage minimum in the dining room (Guests may keep their table to watch the competition). Guests not enjoying dinner will be charged a $20 cover charge.

If you haven’t started shopping for your spring threads, it’s not too late. Bucktown boutique Roslyn (2035 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1511) teams up with non-profit Bright Pink—which supports young women at risk for breast or ovarian cancer—for a Spring’s Best fashion show at Climax Lounge (324 W. Chicago Ave.), featuring looks from Vera Wang, Christopher Dean and Erica Davies. 8-11pm. $35 in advance; $50 at door.

SATURDAY

It may be a little chilly outside, but Salud Tequila Lounge (1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-235-5577) is throwing its rambunctious outdoor festival to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The event will include live music, dancers, drink and food specials. Gates open at noon and the party goes on until 2am. Free.

And Adobo Grill’s grande Cinco de Mayo happens all weekend long (Friday through Monday, May 5) with specials on food and margaritas. You'll also get to nod your head to mariachi bands at both locations: 1610 N. Wells St. or 2005 W. Division St.

312 Dining Diva had it first!

Randy Zweiban, executive chef for Nacional 27, just announced his resignation. (Photo: Laurie Proffitt Photography)


Turned out I was right all along when I posted a couple of weeks ago that Randy Zweiban was resigning his position as Nacional 27's (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727) exec chef.

Just got this interesting email from Nacional 27's publicist:

"Chef Randy Zweiban announces new restaurant! Executive Chef Randy Zweiban announces departure from Nacional 27 and his new restaurant!"

In September, he's set to open Province (161 N. Jefferson St.)—a new American restaurant influenced by the modern, evolving cuisines of South America and Spain—in the West Loop. Look for the starting menu to include dishes like slow-roasted Tasmanian salmon; prawn and bay scallop "paella" with saffron and roasted peppers; and grilled beef tenderloin with Picon blue cheese and buttermilk whipped potatoes.

Housed in a certified green building, Province will incorporate green building materials, recycled design materials, low-voltage lighting and Energy Star equipment.

Girls on film

I can breathe a sigh of relief: Local Chicago chef Jennifer Gavin breezed through another grueling episode of Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" on FOX last night.

And let's cross our fingers for that other local culinary cutie, Stephanie Izard, who's still in the running to become the next "Top Chef," which airs tonight at 9pm on Bravo.

If you want to watch it with a large group, head to Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club (3700 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111) or Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300); both are showing the hit chef-driven series on several flatscreen monitors.