Eat & Drink Club strikes again!

The red arrow points to "Greg Walsh," the newest member of the "Eat & Drink Club." (Photo: Anonymous)


If you thought the notorious Jerry "The Party Crasher" Berliant was bad, get a load of this cat—the newest inductee of the Eat & Drink Club—who's been pushing his way into nightclub and restaurant openings lately:

From a tipster:

"Here's someone who goes by the name 'Greg Walsh' and says he's from NBC-5. Never has a business card on him and pushes HARD to get into events. NBC-5 never heard of him. Actually says 'Yeah, my cameras should be here a bit later' to try and get in."

What is really going on with these people?!

'Hot Chef' winner announced

Remember the Hot Chef Challenge, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show contest in which aspiring chefs are encouraged to create a two-minute video to win a chance to demonstrate at NRA?!

Well, they picked a winner: Keith Snow, president and founder of HarvestEating.com in Greenville, S.C. Snow's winning video featured him preparing "wild-caught margarita fire shrimp with South Carolina plantation rice," using locally sourced ingredients and tequila.

Check out his winning video here.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show takes place May 17-20 at McCormick Place.

A toast to 'World Cocktail Day'

I'M NOT SURE whether this is a made-up "holiday" or not, but McCormick & Schmick's pays homage to the craft of making cocktails today, which is designated World Cocktail Day.

They're pushing some of their most popular drinks, including The Pisco Sour, The Harry’s Bar Bellini and Basil Grape Refresher—all classic cocktails seeing a resurgence these days. Enjoy a couple of these during M&S's massively popular $1.95 happy hour featuring hand-crafted burgers, mussels, salads and more. City locations: 41 E. Chestnut St., 312-397-9500 or 1 E. Wacker Dr., 312-923-7226.

Other hot lounges where you can indulge in a classic, hand-crafted cocktail include:

Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., 312-664-2727): Delight in a Luxe Blackberry Mojito (Belvedere, French blackberry liqueur, mint, lime, soda).

Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577): Live music by The Flat Cats tonight as guests sip on Grapefruit Caipirinhas made with Ketel Citron and muddled grapefruit.

The Violet Hour (1520 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-1500): Check out the NY Sour (Plymouth gin, rosé wine, egg white, orange flower water).


Live it up with more classic cocktails tonight at Fleming’s Upstairs Lounge (25 E. Ohio St.) when media personality Arianna Huffington is honored at a private meet-and-greet event to celebrate the release of her new book, Right Is Wrong. Complimentary champagne and appetizers will be served. Hosted by Michigan Avenue Magazine's Susanna Homan. 5-6:30pm. RSVP required at 312-840-8232.

Pro athletes lovin' Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort

Newly single Dallas Cowboy star Tony Romo and members of the Chicago Machine lacrosse team were out and about over the weekend at new Lakeview spot Uncle Fatty's.


It's only been open for two weeks, but Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort (2833 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-477-3661)—a bustling tiki-style sports bar reminiscent of the late 1990s—is already catching on with the pro athlete set.

Last Thursday, several players from the Chicago Machine lacrosse team were out hanging in the VIP section, and now Pink is the New Blog reports that newly single Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo hit the same spot pretty hard over the weekend along with Manor (642 N. Clark St., 312-475-1390):

"Tony Romo had a bachelor-style hard partying weekend in the Windy City these past couple of days and now we know why. We exclusively have learned that Romo and girlfriend Jessica Simpson have broken up! Romo partied with several of his college buddies from his alma mater Eastern Illinois over the weekend and he told them on Saturday night that him and Simpson were on the outs. 'They're broken up,' according to a pal of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback. 'He told us they broke up and that was that. We're guys so we didn't talk about it much.' A broken heart didn't stop this professional athlete from partying like a rock star! Romo began his night on Saturday at new Chicago hotspot Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort in the Lakeview area of the Windy City. '[Tony was] having a blast playing Pop-A-Shot mini golf and bags,' according to a source. 'He was with some football college buddies and drinking Grey Goose and Diet Cokes.'

"After spending hours at the reggae bar, Romo and his crew headed to Manor nightclub. Romo and his boys sat in a huge VIP table in a roped off VIP section and welcomed many girls to hang out with them. 'He was surrounded by girls,' according to an eyewitness. 'We had to restrain some who forcibly tried to make their way to his table.' Apparently, the girls at da club weren't enough for Romo and his friends. They sent the nightclub's bus to pick up more girls from the Hard Rock Hotel where Romo and his friends were crashing. Romo's night entailed a bevy of beauties, including one blonde in particular he spent a lot of time talking to, and an 'impressive' amount of alcohol. 'He zeroed in on one blonde all night,' a source said. 'That blonde wasn't Jessica Simpson.'"

City Hall sucks

Read Time Out Chicago's piece on the Chicago's promoter's ordinance that will be voted on by the city council on Wednesday. This will kill the local arts, nightlife and music scene if majority rules, but there's still hope . . .

Take a stand here.

Psyched for ‘Sex’?!

Our summer obsession is only a few weeks away. But if you’re already getting jittery in anticipation of “Sex and the City: The Movie,” get your girls together and form your own foxy foursome.

Hit the street and head out to some special parties or ongoing events:

Every Wednesday in May (beginning this week), bring your crew to Nailed in the City, a ladies’ night event at Sheffield’s (3258 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-281-4989). They’ll be showing re-runs of the much-loved series, plus giving away free tix to “Sex and the City: The Movie.” Guests will be able to indulge in $8 manicures from Nail Fetish (525 N. Ashland Ave.) as well as other treatments. Also, go for the $5 Lemon Drop, Cosmos and other martinis. Free admission.

Also happening on Wednesday is Bliss Spa’s tempting Shop Our Desert Island Picks party. You’ll be able to get your favorite summer product staples, enter to win a specialty Colada pedicure, and get a customized summer skin consultation from their expert estheticians. Go crazy over the brownie buffet; it’s amazing. 6-8pm. RVSP to 312-266-9293 for free admission. W Lakeshore, 644 N. Lake Shore Dr., 8th Floor.

Lumen (839 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-2222), of course, gets in on the "SATC" action with a party. It's happening on Friday, and guests will be able to grab goodies like "SATC" DVD box sets, branded martini shaker sets, tote bags, compacts and lip balm. Some lucky people will get tickets to a pre-screening of the film. Party starts at 9pm. Free.

Make an appointment for Mojo Spa’s weekly Beauty and Brunch for complimentary home-style munchies with any Silver, Gold or Platinum combo package. Sink your teeth into seasonal bites as you are pampered with manis, pedis, massages and facials. 11am-2pm. Prices range $60-$80 (limited to three people per reservation). 1468 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-235-6656.

Unitea just debuted at Wave (644 N. Lake Shore Dr., 312-255-4460), and this daily event is actually designed for both women and men. Executive Chef Kristine Subido—who was just named a “Rising Star” by Food & Wine—has created an unconventional tea service that should appeal to guys and gals. The Masculini-Tea program includes hand-crafted beers paired with items like grilled beef tenderloin with dried fruit chutney and mini-Angus beef sliders with bread and butter pickles. And the chick choices include tea-infused elixirs (white ginger pear, citrus mint) complemented by curry Deviled eggs as well as smoked salmon and roasted fennel cannolli. You can also choose from bubbly and a number of teas like the raspberry nectar. 2:30-6:30pm. Prices range from $30 (for tea) to $45 (champagne).

The Apartment (2251 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-348-5100) in Lincoln Park hosts a party to fete the upcoming film. Cosmo drink specials, spa and movie ticket giveaways, and a contest to win tickets to a satellite showing of the New York City movie premiere will be the highlights. 9pm-2am May 24. Free.

And make plans now for Chopping Block’s Girls' Night: Summer Cocktail Party. You’ll learn to make light appetizers like shrimp ceviche, tomato and goat cheese tarts, and cobb salad bites that will be paired with cocktails—of course. Lincoln Square (4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-293-8490) on June 5 and June 20 at 7pm; Merchandise Mart (Kinzie & Wells Streets, 312-644-6360) on June 7 and June 25 at 6pm $40.

EXCLUSIVE: SUNDA name of new Rockit Ranch restaurant

Brad Young (from left), Billy Dec and Arturo Gomez of Rockit Ranch Productions (Photo: Rockit Ranch Productions)


WE FINALLY got a name for that long-awaited project from Rockit Ranch Productions. Billy Dec and crew are calling it SUNDA—named after Southeast Asia’s Sunda Shelf.

Says Dec about the name: "It wasn’t until I landed in Singapore that I had the good fortune to visit the landmark Asian Civilizations Museum where I came across a potential name enlightened and excited me! Upon explaining that I needed to find a name for our multi-cultured all inclusive New Asian concept to one of the curators at the museum, she pointed me directly to an exhibit featuring The Sunda Shelf... And said, 'Sunda' is your name."

Before the team settled on SUNDA, they sought out the help of one of the world's renowned experts in Asian culture, who happened to be Dr. Anne Underhill (Ph.D., Anthropology), the department chair at the Field Museum. She specializes in the development on complex societies in China, and Dec says she "was nice enough to spend some time talking this out with me and even doing some extra research to make sure this name was right for us."

Her feedback included this excerpt: "I needed to check some of my archaeology books that I had not looked at in a while (I do archaeology in China for later time periods). I agree, you do have an appropriate name for your restaurant. The best book I have is by the well-known archaeologist from Australia named Peter Bellwood (Prehistory of the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago, 1985)... according to Bellwood, your name is very suitable...Your restaurant sounds wonderful—we need more good quality Asian restaurants in Chicago! I will be one of your customers.”

Located in River North near its siblings Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000) and Underground (56 W. Illinois St., 312-644-7600), the sprawling SUNDA expects to open in September. Premier Asian cuisine chef Rodelio Aglibot is the man behind the menu.

Gawker gives Stephanie Izard props on 'Top Chef'

Ha! Gawker's recap of 'Top Chef' is the best I've read all day, especially when they describe Stephanie Izard: ". . . somehow always seems to have just stepped out of the shower in all her interviews, showed herself a true champ whisking that mayonnaise."