'Show us your tots!' . . .

Newport Bar & Grill bartenders Emily Wells (from left) and Brian Trombley accept the Golden Tot trophy from Tater Tot Trot founders Amy Murray and Sheri Piecuch. (Photo: Derrek Hull)


. . . was the tagline used to hook in four of the Southport Cooridor's watering holes for one of the quirkiest pub crawls ever.

Tater tot enthusiasts—or better yet Ambassataters—Amy Murray and Sheri Piecuch created the Tater Tot Trot in 2007 to celebrate a friend's birthday. In one evening they went from bar to bar in search of the best tater tots in town.

For the 2008 event, held on Saturday, they stepped it up a notch by creating a ballot, awarding the Golden Tot trophy to the winning bar and attracting more than 60 people—two of who came from as far as South Carolina and Kentucky just to join in on the festivities.

The theme was Rock the Tot, in honor of the election season, and participants judged tater tots on such criteria as presentation (variety of dipping sauces, quantity), taste (crispiness, texture, flavor, freshness) and bar/staff ("tot friendly," service, atmosphere). The featured pubs along the crawl were Newport Bar & Grill, Southport Lanes & Billiards, Schoolyard Tap and Messner's Wrigelyville, who all offered drink specials.

But it was Newport Bar & Grill, a divey neighborhood spot best known for its adjacent Laundromat, who went all out for the contest, offering free tater tots (always GOOD to bribe the people!), creating tot-centric signage and schmoozing with guests. It was no surprise that they easily nabbed the Golden Tot trophy, but they also had some of the tastiest tots on the crawl, as most of the guests raved about their Cajun-flavored potato bites that complemented the burgers and sandwiches.

The best moment of the night?! Right before the winner was announced, co-founder Sheri Piecuch made a joke about R&B star and Chicago native R. Kelly, who was just acquitted on all charges of child pornography.

"Too bad R. Kelly wasn't here to celebrate," she told the crowd. "You know how much he loves the tots!"

After hours for onephiles . . .

Swirl Wine Bar extends its hours into the late night, beginning this weekend, making it the city's first-ever after-hours wine lounge.

Every Friday deejays Lil' Mikey and Simply J spin exotic Brazilian, electronica and mushroom jazz until 4am; Saturdays you get Frique spinning deep house until 5.

Denied!

Eat & Drink Club member "Richard" attempted to talk his way into the Dana Hotel opening party. (Photo: Anonymous)


You know, some people just cannot leave well enough alone.

The Eat & Drink Club struck again, this time running about 10 or 15 deep! The object of their desire was the opening of the Dana Hotel & Spa, which hosted a fabulous party featuring some of the freshest sushi I've ever had from its Asian-focused eatery ajasteak that's set to open on Monday.

As always, they made up names, fast-talked employees, tried sneaking through a side door and brushed past the gatekeepers in an attempt to get into the party. Somehow they were all corraled and kicked the hell out.

From the tipster on "Richard:"

"He made an effort that night. And he, too, went around to a side door only to be escorted out moments later.

Tactic - the pointing really emphasizes how much he SHOULD BE ON THAT LIST."

Priceless.

This is not a joke

I just tried making reservations for tonight at graham elliot, and was told by the hostess that the earliest opening was 10:30pm!

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Tallulah: "The most fun dish on the menu is the least impressive technically. That would be the spicy lobster deviled eggs, a gussied-up version of a suburban potluck staple augmented with lumps of Maine lobster. (Just what June Cleaver would have whipped up, had she found an extra $20 in her apron pocket.) At $7 for two eggs (actually two halves), this is either a pricey egg dish or a bargain lobster dish."—Phil Vettel (Chicago Tribune) Read it all here.

Veerasway: "'Hot Bollywood Lollipops' turned out to be crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks, three to an order, plated in little dishes on pools of chile sauce and "ranch" raita—a fun play on hot wings, though not nearly as spicy as the menu warned."—Alison Neumer Lara (Crain's Chicago Business) Read it all here.

Viaggio Ristorante & Lounge: "Had Viaggio turned out to be like so many other restaurants of its kind, restaurants where the red sauce has no nuance and the endless menu no soul, there would have been no reason to take the overabundance of food home. But instead, Viaggio deftly wrapped the food to go, where it could be picked at during the ride home, nibbled on while watching Letterman, and enjoyed until every last bit was gone."—David Tamarkin (Time Out Chicago) Read it all here.

He's got game . . .

Graham Elliot's masterful version of beef stroganoff. (Photo: Graham Elliot)


. . . and word is spreading fast about how hard it's gonna be to get into Graham Elliot Bowles' eponymous River North eatery.

And the critics—the pros and the foodies—are already weighing in on their experiences even though it hasn't been open for two weeks. Metromix got a first look and Chowhound's rabid readers get real on quirky menu items like PBR-soaked onions, a Buffalo chicken thigh, risotto with Cheez-Its and frozen foie gras covered in Pop Rocks.

Fabulous fetes, fests, fathers, Fiddlehead . . .

Spy Bar unveils its new hot look, including this sexy graphic wall, to the public on Friday. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


It's time to give Pops his props, Old Town Arts Fest arrives and Spy Bar returns with a hot new look:

THURSDAY

Get ready for an Urban Renaissance as several local promoters host an exotic, Brazilian-themed event at Alhambra Palace. Party includes drink specials, deejays Mark Fulla Flava and Eddie Mills spin, and Brazilian dance shows (7:30, 9:30) will set the room on fiyah. 5pm-2am. No cover before 10pm.

Beginning today and every Thursday during Green City Market
season, Carnivale exec chef Mark Mendez features a Farmer's Market Prix-Fixe Lunch. The meal includes an entree, appetizer or salad, and seasonal fruit dessert for $19, and it's best enjoyed on Carnivale's relaxing outdoor patio. 11:30am-2:30pm.

The 13th Annual St. Jude Chicago to Peoria Run raises money for the world's largest childhood cancer research center. The benefit happens 7-9pm at Jbar. Stay for the Diva Series with Sarah Vargo Productions, featuring Snow Queen Vodka specials. Deejay Jesse de la Pena spins soul, funk, Latin beats and more. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Fiddlehead Café hosts its popular neighborhood wine-tasting event, which is themed this time around Wines of the Mediterranean. Guests get to sample more than 60 wines with light snacks. 6-8pm. $35.


The Farmer's Market Prix-Fixe Lunch at Carnivale will offer goodies like this beet salad. (Photo: Carnivale)


FRIDAY

It's time for the second installation of Project Art, which includes live art, dance and deejays at Victor Hotel. Hosted by PLS Magazine and Good for Party, the set includes specials on Hennessy drinks and visual art from Peabe, Revise CMW, Blutt and Joey Potts. Deejays Spre and Rahaan spin. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Outfit Events fetes two fabulous years in the biz with a party at Enclave. They're bringing back celebrity spin star DJ AM for what's cetain to be the wildest party of the weekend. 9pm-2am. $20-$30.


Spy Bar is the city's only nightclub serving tableside, hand-crafted cocktails like this mojito. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


Say hello to the all-new Spy Bar tonight. 312 Dining Diva got an exclusive preview of its sleek, upscale interior—with hardwood accents, muted colors and a sexy wall with eye-catching graphics—that replaces the dark, mysterious setting that gave it a seedy vibe. Also, they've secured MK mixologist John Kinder to consult on a lustful list of cocktails like a traditional mojito as well Strawberry’s Drip (Belevdere vodka, a refreshing blend of fresh strawberry and lemon juice with a hint of lavender), Pineapple Chamo (Hennessy VS, pineapple, chamomile and Tarragon come together) and Sparkling Jasmine (Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label with an exotic blend of Tahitian vanilla, fresh citrus and soothing jasmine). Spy Bar is the only nightclub in the city serving tableside, handcrafted cocktails. 9pm-4am. Cover varies.

SATURDAY

Dan Marquis, the chef de cuisine at Bin 36, conducts the cooking demo at Green City Market. Event starts at 10:30am, but the market is open 7am-2:30pm. Free.

Get the bubbly on early at Pops for Champagne for the Paul Bara Champagne Tasting. Guests will taste three different cuvées from this legendary Bouzy producer considered one of the best sources of pinot noir. 3-5pm. $20.

It's that time again for the Old Town Arts Fest/Wells Street Arts Fest, but these things can get overwhelming! Meet up with friends at Spoon, where they'll be offering drink specials and then end the night at sushi fave Kamehachi, which stays open until 2am. 11am-2am. Donation requested.

SUNDAY

If your dad loves the links, then he'll probably want to check out Wine Styles' exclusive PGA Wine Tasting at GolfTec (2847 N. Halsted St.). Guests will taste five PGA Tour wines while participating in long drive and putting contests, all while watching final round action of the U.S. Open. Also, appetizers and PGA professionals on site for game improvement tips. 2-8pm. No cover or reservations.

For fathers who prefer to skip the crazy brunch hours, head to Cafe Selmarie for steak au Poivre, Jamaican jerk chicken or crispy Tilapia. All dads will get a complimentary specialty cocktail. Outdoor seating available; dinner service begins at 3pm.

A great week for Chicago chefs!

Earlier this week local rock-star chefs Carrie Nahabedian (Naha) and Grant Achatz (Alinea) took home the coveted James Beard awards.

Now, Chicago's own Stephanie Izard just won Bravo's "Top Chef!" She's also the first female chef to win the popular, chef-driven reality show. The Stew has all the details here, including the scene at Room21, where the official Bravo "Top Chef" finale party took place. This has been a historic week for our chefs and they cannot be stopped. Whoo hoo!

If you want to congratulate her, reservations may still be available for the Stephanie Izard-Nick LaCasse event at the Drawing Room on Sunday. The dinner's sold out, but the after-party includes appetizers with two seasonal cocktails created by Izard. Also, those who miss out on the dinner or reception can sample the winning dishes created by Izard and LaCasse for one week following the event. RSVP at 773-276-7582. $40 for reception at 9pm.