Bring on the foie!

The Stew reports that City Council has lifted the two-year-old foie gras ban. Ha!

Chicago Promoter License tabled. FOR NOW!!!

A message from Music 101 on the temporarily tabled Chicago's Promoter's ordinance:

"This is a small victory, but the battle is far from over. We have to stay vigilant to make sure the City does not try to sneak this through again. We got lucky this time that we caught wind of it. Next time we might not be so lucky. We have to be more proactive in the future. We have to know who is representing our interest and the interest of the community in City Hall. It seems that the people who are on the advisory board and pushing this ordinance through have other agendas and are not well versed in to realities of this ordinance. We have to get invited to these meetings and let others know what takes place there. If we become complacent, DBA will surely take advantage of it. I remember the only time that I was invited to a meeting, the attorney for the DBA said to everyone that no one should fool themselves, this ordinance will go through as it is, and it is only a matter of formality to get our opinions on it. After expressing my opposition, I was never invited back! With that kind of attitude, you can be sure, they will try again to push this ordinance through."—Arman Razavi, CEO of Music 101

‘Chill’ out in style

Support local businesses today like Berry Chill in River North. (Photo: Berry Chill)


Today’s all about supporting cool local stuff:

Michael Farah—the chilled-out biz-ness man behind Berry Chill—gets props from ABC-7’s “190 North” today when they come to tape a segment on the popularity of this frozen yogurt couture shop that’s taken the city by storm. They’ll be there 10:30-11:30am, so show some support and head there for a mid-morning snack—if you’re in River North.

Also happening today is Fashion Columbia, the annual student-produced fashion show taking place at Columbia College Chicago (1000 S. Wabash Ave.; 312-344-6600). The show explores the theme of fashion and technology, with a signature hue of purple worked into the designs. 1pm. $35-$60.

More fashion hits the runway at Sura Thai Bistro (3124 N. Broadway, 773-348-8608), featuring fabulous threads from Lake View-area boutiques such as P+L, Andrea Vangna, His Stuff, Kreative Soul and Buffalo Exchange. The cocktail reception kicks off at 7pm with cucumber martinis, wine, hors d'oeuvres and Thai tapas; runway portion of the show begins promptly at 8pm. The first 100 attendees get a goody bag. $15.

Head west to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (2320 W. Chicago Ave., 773-227-5522) for Taste on Chicago, an event showcasing the wares from West Town. "Check, Please!" host Alpana Singh signs copies of her book "Alpana Pours," plus you’ll get to sample wine, bubbly and vittles at this inaugural event. Benefits Smith Park. 6-9pm. Call 312-925-4052 for the $40 tix.

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.