How did we get so lucky?!

Word just came in that the one and only Candace Bushnell (of "Sex and the City" fame) is coming to town.

The red-hot author will host an exclusive viewing party at Manor for her hit TV show, "Lipstick Jungle." She'll also be promoting her latest book, One Fifth Avenue, a modern-day story of old and new money that's a nod to F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age tales.

That happens on Sept. 24.

Sports bars need to get their acts together

I'm not calling out any names of the culprits, but you know who you are!

With everyone still hyped up over the big Bears win over the Colts last night, I thought I'd get in a dig on the situation of the women's bathrooms in sports bars.

More than ever, women are taking an interest in sports, and the NCAA and professional football games are likely the most popular of them all. So you'd think someone—especially seeing so many female bar managers, servers and bartenders these days—would clean up those bathrooms.

I have no idea what the guys' bathrooms look like, but they cannot be any worse than what I witnessed over the weekend. At one Lincoln Park bar in particular, there was used toliet paper all over the floor near the sinks and in the stalls, overflowing toliets and a stench so bad you would've thought it was an outhouse.

This is not the first time I've witnessed this, and it's time to take a stand. These bars are making enough money and have enough staffers on hand to maintain clean bathrooms. Additionally, most of these spots serve food, and any place that cannot maintain a basic, clean bathroom should not be serving food.

I understand that bars get busy, but there's just no excuse for subjecting people to this *&^%$#@!@#$%!)?!

Forbes got it wrong

With all the hot-ass neighborhoods and bars here for the straights and gays, how could Forbes list Chicago as the 11th best place for singles?! I mean, really, what's up with Atlanta, Dallas, Washington D.C., Orlando (?!) and Boston beating us?!

This place again?!

Jernell Geronimo (right), shown here with R&B star Akon, will spin at Crescendo's re-opening party next week. (Photo: Jernell Geronimo)


Crescendo, originally owned by the guys behind the now-defunct Reserve, is set to open once again in River North. It launched with a lavish fashion show and party in spring 2007, and lasted exactly one week.

After much speculation that the team behind RiNO and Manor were going to take it over, turns out that Sound-Bar and Y Bar's owners have once again taken over the space they operated two years ago as L8.

Confused?! Don't be.

Nightlife impresario Tony Macey hosts the re-opening bash on Sept. 12 with DJ Jernell Geronimo spinning.

Let's just hope it stays open longer this time.

It's almost here!

Hungry Magazine's Michael Nagrant scores a podcast interview with Brian Huston of The Publican, scheduled to open mid-September in the Warehouse District.

Something good's cooking this weekend . . .

Dale Levitsky of Bravo's season three of "Top Chef."


Oh, it's a little dreary today, but the star power still hanging around town should pick up your spirits.

"Top Chef" fans can check out a special tour making a stop in town today. Olympic fans who didn't have a chance to meet the athletes during Oprah's taping get another shot Saturday when "Redeem Team" star Dwayne Wade hosts a gold medal affair. And those looking to make fans of their own can audition at Spy Bar for a new VH1 reality show:

THURSDAY

Top Chef: The Tour hits town for the second day, happening at the Green City Market (1799 N. Clark St.) in Lincoln Park. Former contestants Dale Levitsky and CJ Jacobsen (both from Season 3) offer guests a first-hand look at how to make it as a Top Chef, complete with cooking demonstrations, gourmet tips and show secrets. 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Free.

Enjoy Spanish vino?! Get your fill at In Fine Spirits during this tasting that explores the exotic region. Also, meet pioneering Spanish winemakers Raimundo Abando and Luis Ollar as you enjoy tapas-style appetizers. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Soul Essentials is the event going down every Thursday at Red Kiva, with resident deejay Cordell Johnson behind the tables. No drink specials, but the sounds will certainly get you high. 10pm-2am. No cover.

Celebrity designer Nate Berkus is the special guest host for Basil Hayden Tastemakers Design Chicago, happening at Lumen. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the finalist as well as sample specialty bourbon-infused cocktails by Basil Hayden and appetizers. 7-9pm. RSVP to info@lumen-chicago.com for comp admission.

FRIDAY

The Windy City Wine Festival is back for a fourth year, taking place at Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Sponsored by Binny's, the event will include more than 250 wines to sample along with appetizers, cooking demos and live entertainment. 4-10pm Friday; 3-10pm Saturday. $25 in advance; $30 at door; $10 designated driver ticket. Call 847-382-1480 for tix.

Liar's Club, one of the few unpretentious nightclubs left in Chicago, is one of those guilty pleasures. And tonight they're hosting Neon Hi-Tops, an event promising to be full of unpredictable moments. Get ready for $2 PBR, $3 Kilo Kai Rum shots and $4 Kilo mixers. 9pm-2am. Free before 11pm.

SATURDAY

This is what we've been talking about! This sounds like a great Fulton Market party with music that's not your usual bag of tricks. It's celebrating the second anniversary for Permanent Records, with drink specials, deejays spinning offbeat tunes and live music. It's happening at AV-aerie (2000 W. Fulton St. #310, 312-342-6280) and it's free. Doors open at 8pm.

SUNDAY

Take a late-morn stroll to Lincoln Park Zoo, then head over to Perennial for their brand-new brunch. They're pushing a seasonal menu, so right now you'll be good to go with items like the Spanish omelet (olive oil poached Yukon potatoes and onions, garlic aioli and petite salad), Legs Benedict (poached eggs, duck leg confit, hollandaise and English muffin) or French toast (almond baguette, peaches, lemon ginger crème fraiche). We're also looking forward to the brunch cocktails on the menu right now: a Hazelnut Brunch Daiquiri with espresso, Pyrat rum, hazelnut liquor served with floating crushed coffee beans and the B2 with Basil Hayden’s bourbon and basil-infused simple syrup with a touch of orange bitters. 9:30am-1:30pm Saturday and Sunday.

And get ready for the Bears to get their revenge for that Super Bowl loss to the Colts. Do it in style at Cityscape Bar at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, as they're offering a number of specials to get your through what's certain to be a nail biter. Order the Football Flights (4oz beer flights for $6) or half-price apps, which includes mini Angus beef burgers, Buffalo chicken straws and roasted duck tamales. Game starts at 7pm.

Sex tape 'star' looking for new co-star

But luckily for the ladies of Chicago, this time it's all about a VH-1 reality TV show for notorious R&B singer Ray-J, who made headlines last year for filming some kinky moments with then girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

The open casting call occurs at Spy Bar, with the goal of "single, beautiful and confident women up for the challenge of turning hip-hop artist Ray J into a 'one woman man' . . . all contestants must . . . possess a love for the hip-hop industry and the ability to handle the drama of a celebrity lifestyle."

Didn't Flavor Flav already do this?!

It's this Saturday, 8pm-midnight, if you dare.

On the radar . . .

Eater's infamous Deathwatch is the most feared section of this New York dining and nightlife blog, so it should be interesting to see whether they bring it to Chicago when Eater launches here next month—a year behind schedule.

For those not familiar, Deathwatch monitors whether a bar or restaurant manages to survive despite all odds stacked against it. Some critics have complained that once an establishment is "Deathwatched," it has no chance in hell to make a comeback.