Who's got the juice?!

LTHForum just announced its annual Great Neighborhood Restaurant Awards, and whoo hooo is the heat already on!

You know how Chicago diners get all nuts about their favorite spots and this contest is no different. Just check the comments on entries for the likes of Schwa, Urban Belly, Honey 1 BBQ and Spacca Napoli.

Mamma mia!

Dissed by Forbes

Forbes just named Chicago the most stressful city in the country:

"Chicago's rising unemployment rate, expensive gas, high population density and relatively poor air quality create a perfect storm of stress, according to measures we used to calculate the country's anxiety hot spots."

So grab a beer or a cocktail and calm the (*&^%$#@!@#$%^& down.

If you didn’t get enough ‘Sex’ . . .

. . . then get ready for more madness as “Sex and the City” gets underway—again—for the second time this year. Le Bar kicks off a three-day foreplay to the release of the DVD (which hits stores Sept. 23) with a cocktail party filled with freebies for the fashionable. You’ll be able to snap up complimentary movie posters, key chains, wristbands, magazines and gift bags. 7-9pm tonight through Friday. No cover.

Also, on Saturday, Rednofive gets into the "SATC" spirit with a red-carpet event. Fans of the show will have the chance to win copies of the movie, plus there will be gift bags filled with "SATC" swag like branded items and certificates. Guests will also get to enjoy signature cocktails named after the movie's characters, from The Carrie to Mr. Big. 9pm-5am. $20.

More Hump Day happenings:

Shirley King's best described as "Etta James, Koko Taylor and B.B. King all rolled into one," and she's performing tonight and every Wednesday at The Joynt. The daughter of legendary bluesman B.B. King is not to be missed. 9pm. No cover.

Raphael Saadiq—best known for his R&B hits with the Grammy Award-winning Tony! Toni! Toné! as well as Lucy Pearl—strikes out on his own again with new album "The Way I See It." RSVPs are still being accepted for the listening party at Funky Buddha Lounge, hosted by Raphael and Remy Martin. 6-9pm. No cover, but RSVP to chicagorsvp@gmail.com for admission.

Blackhawk star Dustin Byfuglien and local rapper Twista square off head to head on an Xbox 360 version of the brand new game NHL 2K9 at Spoon. I don't know crap about hockey or Xbox, but Kilo Kai is hosting the bar and at least that's something I understand. 6:30-9pm. $10.

Head to Bucktown beauty boutique p.45 (1643 N. Damen Ave.) for the third-annual Global Design Reward event. Hosted by BlackBook and Hennessy, the mingle-fest includes cocktails and shopping at a discount. Interior designer Jordana Joseph and stylist Julie Watson will also be on hand to help guests create new fall looks. 6-9pm. No cover.

And tix are still available for Pinot Envy at Sam's Wines & Spirits in the South Loop. You'll get to taste a nice range of global pinot grapes, from Champagnes to dry rosés. Paired with apps. 7-8:30pm. $50.

The end of an expensive era?!

Now that all these high-rolling types in the financial industry are losing their jobs left and right, who's going to be able to afford bottle service every week in the clubs?!

Gawker declares that as of yesterday bottle service is dead in New York. Will Chicago follow this latest Big Apple trend?!

You know how I feel about bottle service, so I will be watching this one closely and keeping you updated on who makes a move first.

Developing . . .

Pane Caldo's servers get slammed in review

Grilled shrimp and calamari are served in white wine sauce with fine herbs at Pane Caldo in the Gold Coast. (Photo: Dave Slivinski for Crain's Chicago Business)


When Jennifer Aniston was in town filming "The Breakup" a few years back, one of her fave restaurants was the low-key, but very expensive Pane Caldo, in the Gold Coast. This unassuming Italian eatery, which has been around for 16 years, suddenly found itself in the spotlight beyond the neighborhood regulars who frequent it.

So you'd think by now they'd have the service thing down, right?! Not so, says Crain's Chicago Business, whose dining critic loved the food, but took mad issue with the shoddy service she received during her outings:

"If the service were only as good as the food at Pane Caldo, it would be among my top picks for business dining. . . . Servers need remedial training. Lunch service was slow. No refills on iced tea were offered. At dinner, crumbs and dirty dishes lingered on tables while staff loitered. If I were the chef, I'd be steamed."

To new beginnings and old friends . . .

Four new swanky spots to try whether you’re a sexy gal or swaggering guy:

Dirty Martini, an unassuming cocktail lounge in River North, features a high-tech machine pouring your drinks.

Lakeview's Late Night Thai opens at 9pm and closes at 5am for the after-hours owls with appetites for pad Thai and spring rolls.

90 Miles Cafe, in Logan Square, kicks out authentic Cuban sandwiches piled high with ham, roasted pork or shredded beef.

And Lincoln Park's The Counter is getting rave reviews for burgers really made your way.

Also, these deals are steals:

It's budget-dining night every night at Madame Tartine, the sixties-styled, French supperclub decked out in shades of red, white and black. For $29, you'll get a three-course meal that's paired with a half carafe of red or rose. Choose from steak frites, risotto, roasted chicken or baked salmon for your entree.

Another three-course prix fixe, for $27, is offered each Tuesday at Angelina Ristorante. The romantic Lakeview eatery offers a charming setting that goes perfectly with classic Italian dishes that change each week.

And the Pub Beer Showcase happens every Tuesday at the original Goose Island. Get there at 6pm for a free tasting of their latest beer. The brewer will also be on hand so here's your chance to sound off on suds.

Settle down, they're only cupcakes!

MORE's cool cupcake case is filled with a variety of savory and sweet treats every day. (Photo: Jessica Tampas)


Commenters over on The Stew got a little heated over the new sweet and savory cupcakes at MORE on the Gold Coast.

Check:

"If I want a samich, I'll buy a samich. If I want a cupcake, I'll buy a real cupcake that God intended to be dessert, not some silly samich impersonating a cupcake. That's just wrong. What's innovative and haute cuisine in LA or NYC is just silly and pretentious in Chicago."

Hmmmmmmm, OK, dude. You keep your Hostess cupcakes, but I'm going to keep my mind open. Did any of these people even try the &^%$#@!@#?! cupcakes before they banged out these comments?! Likely not.

Bristol opening delayed; return of Sommelier for a Day

The Bristol was set to open on Thursday, but due to flood damage from the weekend's massive rain storm, they're now shooting for a Sept. 23 debut.

In the meantime, if you're looking to get out for a wallet-friendly lunch, head over to BIN 36 for the No-Tax Lunch deal that's going on through Oct. 31. BIN 36 picks up the tax for those dining in.

For more cost-conscious kickin' it, head to Petterino’s for Monday Night Live. This is your chance to catch emerging and established singers as they step to the stage with standard showtunes and cabaret. Who knows who'll hit the mike, as traveling artists from the casts of "Wicked," "The Producers" and other Broadway shows have been known to perform. 7:30-10pm. $15 dining minimum per person.

And manana:

UPDATE: This event has been postponed until further notice: Sommelier for a Day returns to Bistro 110. The popular, interactive event allows guests to help the stylish Gold Coast eatery select their upcoming winter wines. This time they're sampling a number of Champagne and sparkling vino, and guests get to rate them all. The best, of course, will be added to the menu. The event also includes small bites by Executive Chef Dominique Tougne. 6-8pm. $35 for Levy Preferred members; $45 for others.