Sure sign of a recession

This just dropped in my inbox:

"In celebration of October’s Libras, Kohan is offering 15% off their entire food bill this month! Come in and enjoy fresh new entrees, teppan grill selections and new specialty rolls. Kohan has a large selection of nigiri sushi, house rolls and a large selection of hot and cold appetizers, noodle and rice dishes."

True, Kohan Japanese Restaurant's offering major deals for the meals, but how come Libras get all the props in October?! Scorpio bdays (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) also happen during this time and they're getting totally dissed. I would totally call them on this if I was a Scorpio.

If you're looking for something new

(Photo: Courtesy of Urban Daddy)

Urban Daddy breaks the news about Lincoln Square's new Chelsea Grill:

"Just in time for fall, Lincoln Square's Erba has morphed into this all-comfort-food destination. Nothing says 'let's snuggle' like a blue cheese burger with frizzled onions. Then again, pizza with bacon and a fried egg has a certain autumnal feel."

For a very good cause . . .

As noted below, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and you can show your support by dining out at one of your favorite venues. From dessert-themed cocktails to sweet treats all dressed in pink, here's what's happening:

Martini Park: All proceeds from the sugary sweet Pink Cotton Candy will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

More: A portion of the sales of the Hope MORE cupcake (pink velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and pink white chocolate curls) goes directly to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

sola: Guests who dine at this cozy Northcenter eatery have the option of donating a dollar of their meal to the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation.

Blue Water Grill: You'll be able to top off your meal with a Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Parfait, which benefits Be Bright Pink.

David Burke’s Primehouse: The steakhouse’s signature Cake in a Can dessert will be served with pink icing and all proceeds also benefit Be Bright Pink.

Let’s Play a Drinking Game!

The Veep debate is finally here, but let's have some fun with it! Every time Sarah Palin says "maverick" or "country first," let's do a shot (my mom says I'm trying to get y'all drunk as hell!).

Anyway, probably every bar in town with a TV will be tuned into the wildly anticipated, 90-minute match between Dem Joe Biden and Repub Sarah Palin. You, of course, want to be in the hot spot, such as:

Enoteca Roma Ristorante is showing the debate on a 50-inch plasma in the outdoor garden as well as in the dining room. Food and drink specials available, too. 6-11pm; early arrival recommended. $5 donation goes to the Obama-Biden campaign.

Obama-rama occurs also at Red Kiva as the Chicago Lawyers for Obama host a free party in the West Loop. No drink specials, but should be a stimulating crowd of folks with plenty of opinions. 7pm-until. No cover.

The Chicago Republican Party, Chicago Young Republicans and Young Professionals for McCain throw their own shindig, but this one's gonna cost you. The $30 tix gets you three hours of premium open bar to drown out all those Sarah Palin-isms. That starts at 7pm in the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Boulevard Room.

And for a non-partisan party, head to the Sheraton’s Chi Bar for specialty cocktails and desserts. Instead of my proposed "drinking game," they're planning a Lingo Bingo event, where guests listen for key words like "health care" and "global" to win prizes (zzzzzzz). Also, indulge in sweets (Baked Alaska or Cup of Joe tiramisu served in a coffee cup) and specialty sippers (Maverick Martini and Barack on the Rocks). Party starts at 8pm. No cover.

Also happening this weekend:

THURSDAY

It's not your fault if you've never heard of Pamela Fernandez. But all that's about to change! Turns out the house-music diva—who's a Chicago native—is a sensation in Europe as her voice has been sampled on numerous re-workings, bootlegs and compilations. The glamorous songstress is bringing her live show, Floorgasm, to par-lounge for one night only. 8pm. No cover.

Look who's getting on the bandwagon . . . for baseball. Juicy Wine Co. is offering guests $2 microbrews if either the Cubs or White Sox win a playoff game. They're showing all the games on plasma screens, and you can pair those suds with panini sandwiches. Mmmmmmmmm.

The Bacardi Flavor Exchange is happening at the South Shore Cultural Center (7059 S. Shore Dr.), with enough fruit-flavored cocktails to make your head spin. Free parking at 63rd and the beach (east lot), with shuttle buses to and from the event. 8pm-midnight. No cover, but RSVP is needed here.

Beginning tonight and every Thursday in October, Coach House hosts Pink Party, raising funds to benefit breast cancer research. There's a $5 suggested donation at the door, plus $1 from every Girlygirl or Lincoln Park Trixie (are people really still saying this?!) martini goes to a non-profit organization. Also, karaoke and those wearing pink get a free gift. 7pm-2am.



Celebrate "National Vodka Day" this weekend at the Knickerbocker Hotel's lobby bar. (Photo: Knickerbocker Hotel)


FRIDAY

Bright Pink ushers in Breast Cancer Awareness Month in La Vie En Rose style at Bon V. Party includes cocktails, treats from RA Sushi and Berry Chill, as well as cool raffle prizes. 8-11pm. $45-$60 (VIP).

Watching your budget?! A Mano brings back its $5 pizza specials, happening every night in the bar and lounge after 5pm. Specialty pies include traditional Margherita, fennel sausage, prosciutto, house-smoked salmon or grilled seasonal veggie.

Did you know that Saturday is National Vodka Day?! Start toasting today (through Sunday) as the classic Knickerbocker Hotel offers a special "shaken and stirred menu" with vodka-infused cuisine and cocktails in the lobby bar. Chad Willets’ jazz piano plays two sets Friday and Saturday 5-7:30pm and 9pm-midnight.

SATURDAY

Local band Lubriphonic, which has been best described as offering a rousing mix of blues, funk and rock, performs at Subterranean. Its members get props for performing with the likes of Koko Taylor, Mary J. Blige, Otis Rush, Buddy Miles and Lenny Kravitz. See what's up before they hit it big. Estelle’s host a pre-party at 8pm featuring $2 beers and ticket giveaways for the show. 10pm. $7.

Chicago represents again on 'Top Chef'

Radhika Desai of Between Boutique Café & Lounge (Photo: Bravo)


Eater.com breaks the news first (312 Dining Diva is the first Chicago media outlet to bring you the news!) of our very own Radhika Desai of Between Boutique Café & Lounge starring on the fifth season of Bravo's "Top Chef: New York." Congrats, girl!

"Rad is a blessing to us as well as our little nocturnal café," said Between owner, Carl Anderson. "She truly is the heart of our restaurant."

At Between, Rad uses the small-plate concept to experiment with exotic spices and flavorful combinations, which allows guests to taste a variety of food without being overwhelmed in a single dining experience. Popular signature dishes include Lobster Trifecta (lobster empanadas, lobster and bacon mac and cheese and lobster cakes) and Duck-Duck Goose (leg of duck with sweet potato pancakes, gooseberry jam and orange black pepper sauce).

Get the entire list of this season's "Top Chef" participants here. The show premieres at 9pm Nov. 12.

And now the fun begins . . .

This is amazing! The Cubs and the White Sox are both in the playoffs for the first time in more than 100 years. Now isn't that enough reason to celebrate today?!

Take your pick of lively places to watch the first Cubs play-off game tonight: Head to usual suspects like Tavern on Rush and P.J. Clarke's, or make a move to new schoolers Old Oak Tap, Angels & Mariachis or Coach House.

Also happening tonight:

Your last shot at getting discounted VIP tickets to the annual Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Gala (Oct. 17) happens at Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Maven hosts this cocktail party, offering guests appetizers and a sampling of wine. The $15 donation goes to Meals on Wheels. 6-9pm. Can't make the party tonight?! You can still get tix here.

Hosted by rock star Pete Wentz, GenArt's sixth-annual Fresh Faces in Fashion officially kicks off Fashion Focus Week. Chicago-based designers will be featured, including Wentz's own Clandestine Industries. After-party occurs at Exchange West (1376 W. Carroll Ave.). 6:30pm at the Tent at Chase Promenade North in Millennium Park (between Michigan and Columbus). $60-$135 (a portion of proceeds benefit Gen Art Foundation). Call 312-229-1701 for tix.

Speaking of Wentz, he's set to also host Live Band Karaoke at his rock-flavored club, Angels & Kings. He's hangin' with some of the Elite models from the GenArt show (wtf is Ashlee?!), who should be a nice edition to the weekly event. A:M Ultra Premium hosts the party with comped cocktails . . . drink up and bring out your inner "American Idol." 10pm-2am. No cover.

They caved!

Reports the Sun-Times today:

"Bars and restaurants surrounding Wrigley Field on Monday reluctantly agreed today to stop serving alcohol after the seventh inning of potential title-clinching Cubs playoff games, but only after City Hall made a last-minute concession: The prohibition will end if the games go into extra innings."

The temporary ban could get its first test on Oct. 7. That would be the fifth and final game of the Cubs and Dodgers series, if necessary.

So, you know what?! It's time to get busy in other parts of the city if this indeed goes down. In Wicker Park, there's The Boundary and Fifty/50. In River North, go to English or Rockit Bar and Grill. Or, if you want to stick close to Lakeview, head to the Southport Corridor for a number of venues, including Take Five, Justin's or Messner's.

Cheers to this . . .

Keep your spirits up today:

We love Fiddlehead Cafe for slashing prices on its wine flights every Tuesday. Go for the robust Spanish vino or South American juice. Treat yourself to interesting whites from Portugal or a nice selection of sparkling wines. Usually, they're $11 to $14, but tonight they're all $8. And if you really enjoy something, you can take a bottle home for a special low price.

Tuesdays are also popular for the Pub Beer Showcase at Goose Island. The Clybourn location trots out special brews and even has the brewer on hand to discuss. 6pm. Free.

Cheers for more beer at NoMI, which takes a break from its usual Tuesday wine-tasting Cellar Notes to let you soak up the suds. Advanced sommelier Fernando Beteta leads with an expert on hand, offering a number of beers complemented by appetizers. 5:30-7:30pm $30.

And the biggest deal of the day is Paramount Room's weekly all-you-can-eat fish & chips special. That's endless, hand-dipped fish that comes with fresh-cut fries. Pair that with a bottle of wine, which is half off every Tuesday. Also, $5 shots of Jack Daniels and Jameson.