Anthony Bourdain does Chicago . . . with Mancow Muller?!

The Stew caught up with Chef-lebrity Anthony Bourdain as he made a stop at Hot Doug's, Ramova Grill and Silver Palm for an upcoming episode of his popular "No Reservations" series on the Travel Channel.

But that's not the strangest part. Can someone please tell me why former Chicago radio "personality" Mancow Muller was with him?!

I mean, really, Mr. Bourdain?!

You've got to be doing this just to piss us off!

Big names in dining rock the Ritz-Carlton this fall

Le Bernadin's Eric Ripert is the special celebrity star during a fall dinner at the Ritz-Carlton.


The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton is playing host to some heavyweights in the dining world this fall with some special events:

On Oct. 17, it's the Author Tea with Bon Appétit Editor-In-Chief Barbara Fairchild. She'll be on hand to sign copies of Bon Appétit: Fast Easy Fresh, a new collection of more than 1,200 recipes written for quick, easy cooking at home. Ritz-Carlton Executive Pastry Chef Mark Payne will complement with some tea-focused dishes inspired by recipes from Fast Easy Fresh. 3-4:30pm. $40.

And Nov. 13, get ready for the Author Dinner with acclaimed chef Eric Ripert from Le Bernardin in New York. He'll be signing copies of On The Line: The Stations, the Heat, the Cooks, the Costs, the Chaos, and the Triumphs, a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fine dining through the eyes of one of its champions. Ritz-Carlton Executive Chef Mark Payne and Ripert will create a four-course dinner, which will take cues from On The Line. That happens at 6pm, and includes a reception, wines and author discussion. $95.

Call 312-573-5231 for tickets because they will go fast!

Toast to Tuesdays . . .

The U.S. Olympics Team is still winning mad medals left and right, so cheers to that!

Didja know every Tuesday you can sample a different Goose Island beer for free at the Lincoln Park location?! The Pub Beer Showcase happens at 6pm, with the brewer on hand to answer questions.

Lumen's weekly industry night continues to be cool, this time featuring Grammy Award-winning mixmaster Maurice Joshua behind the 'tables. As always, you'll get to indulge in $5 shots of Jameson and Patron. Oh, and they'll also be giving away free samples of Lucid Absinthe from 10pm-midnight. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Return of the Cocktail Party is one of the summer's sleepers at Martini Park. The after-work set offers guests comped appetizers and half-priced drinks from 5-8pm, but the best part of the night is the swing band and semi-professional dancers taking over the floor. Free.

And if you're sick of the usual Gold Coast scene, head to Morton's for Tuesday Tastings, where they're giving out free wine and cheese. 6-7pm.

What is really going on, Daily Candy Chicago?!

I've kept quiet too long about the sudden downspiral of Daily Candy Chicago, but after today's raunchy newsletter on A.Vision Chicago—which leads with "the politico called out Hillary’s name every time he climaxed"—I can keep quiet no longer.

I don't know if they're trying to be edgier in an attempt to compete with the more male-focused Urban Daddy and Thrillist, but seriously, Daily Candy needs to get back to its roots when it was really clever and truly sexy without going below the belt.

Soft Serve goes 'Sci-Fi'

What are these people over at iCream doing to my ice cream?!

Urban Daddy reports on the new dessert joint opening in Wicker Park that feels like what would happen if someone let the chefs from Alinea or Moto loose in an ice-cream parlor.

It's slated to open Thursday.

Update on Bombon Bakery fire

Just got off the phone with Bombon Bakery owner Laura Perea, whose sweet shop suffered a horrible fire this morning in the Pilsen neighborhood.

The three-building fire sent several people, including one firefighter, to the hospital and left more than 30 residents homeless. Perea said the damage is really bad and she has "no clue" as to when BomBon Bakery will reopen.

"We're just glad that everyone's okay because that's what really matters," she said.

A second Bombon location is at 36 S. Ashland Ave., 312-733-8717.

Bottle Service Ruined the Biz . . .

Ryan Golden (second from right), Plan B owner and co-founder of a new line of nightlife-focused tees. (Photo: Plan B Bar + Kitchen)


. . . yells out the slogan on one of my favorite tees from the new 86’d line by Plan B Bar + Kitchen owner Ryan Golden, who's debuting them in September with New York-based Emperor’s New Clothes.

The nightlife-focused tees, in fact, feature a number of insidery, sarcastic slogans playing up bar culture, including Bar Star, I Dress Down to Dress Up, Luxaholic and I’m That Model with the Bottle. These should be a hit when they hit the stores as a number of celebs have already worn tees by Emperor’s New Clothes, including the likes of Matt Damon, Jessica Alba, Chris Rock, Gwen Stefani, Naomi Campbell and Jon Stewart.

The term “86” in the hospitality industry means an item on the menu is no longer available or a guest is finished for the evening—usually from drinking.

These great deals get the Gold

The U.S. Olympics Men's Swim Relay Team and Women's Fencing won Gold in Beijing, and these Monday-night deals are big winners too:

Boom Boom Room—the city's longest-running nightlife event—continues at Green Dolphin Street, with special guest deejays Roy Davis Jr., Jeff Craven and Andre Harris. There's complimentary BBQ if you get there by 9:30pm, but this party goes on till 4am. Residents Uncle Milty, Just Joey and Diz also spin. No cover.

La Madia's calling their daily special "perfect pairings" as they offer $5 wine and complimentary pizza throughout the summer. 4-6pm in the lounge only.

Harpoon Brewery President Dan Kenary hosts the Chicago debut of the brewery's beers at Sheffield's. Event includes three beers, appetizers and samples for $15. That starts at 7pm. Also, every Monday Sheffield's features BBQ ribs with coleslaw for $11.95, plus $4 you-call-it-well cocktails and $4 Allagash White.

And head to hip gourmet shop Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park for its regular wine tasting occurring every Monday and Friday from 6-7:30pm. It's free, and you never know what they'll pull out.