Publican opens Thursday!

Chef Brian Huston's Becker Lane pork shank should be one of the highlights on the pork-friendly menu at Publican. (Photo: Grant Kessler Photography)


Publican finally makes its debut in the Warehouse District on Thursday. Read here for more info on the long-awaited restaurant from the guys behind avec and Blackbird.

The sweetest day . . .

There's been so much bad news lately that it's time to hear about something that'll put a smile on your face. We're talking decadent sweets and eats to liquidy treats and jammin' beats to set you off:

The third-annual Andersonville Dessert Crawl happens on Sunday—with two routes to choose from! I'm down for the Rainbow Route (3-6pm), but the Swedish Stroll (1-4pm) sounds just as good. Participants get to check out Andersonville's rich shopping district full of nifty little stores, boutiques and offbeat eateries. Each tour ends at In Fine Spirits for a wine-tasting event. Begins at the Swedish American Museum (5211 N. Clark St). 1-6pm. $25 in advance; $30 at door (if available). Event benefits the non-profit Andersonville Development Corp.; ticket info at 773-728-7552.

Get ready for a goth-themed, rock 'n' roll, black-tie affair at the Park West, as Collaboraction hosts its annual Beggars' Banquet. As usual with this outrageous performance troupe, there will be sensory overload from the moment you walk in the door, from an over-the-top red carpet experience to live music and performances by some of Chicago's scene-stealing artists. Party, of course, includes appetizers, cocktails and a silent auction as this is Collaboraction's primo fundraiser. 6:30pm-midnight Saturday. Call 312-226-9633 for the $175 tix or join the festivities at 9:30pm for the $50 'Bail-Out' ticket.



Collaboraction executive director Anthony Moseley at last year's "Beggars' Banquet." (Photo: Collaboraction)


Next Wednesday is Marche's 15th anniversary, and they're doing it up by bringing back all those wacky events for which they've become infamous. But check this out: They're doing them all in one night! That's right, look for S&M artists, mod burlesque performances and Dr. Seuss characters strolling through the space as guests nosh on signature dishes by former Marche chefs Michael Kornick, John Bubala and Paul Wildermuth. They'll be joined by current chef Matt Tobin. Fifteen raffle prizes will include gift certificates for Marché, Opera, Gioco and Red Light. 8pm-2am. $20 ($5 goes to Perspectives Charter Schools).

And it's the 20th anniversary for Meals on Wheels' Chef Celebrity Ball, one of the biggest cuisine scenes of the year. Just about every prominent local chef is involved as well as several high-profile national stars. Come for vittles by more than 50 chefs, including Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven), Michelle Garcia (Bleeding Heart Bakery), Joshua Linton (ajasteak), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Debbie Gold (The American Restaurant) and others. Come for the seated dinner, which starts at 6pm and is a hit to your wallet at $350, or head here later for the Indulgence Ball, which includes appetizers, cocktails and live entertainment. That's $125. DJ White Shadow spins. Food fest takes place on the seventh floor of Macy's (111 N. State St.). Get tix at 312-744-2120.

A new late-night lust on its way?!

(Photo: Glazed Donuts Catering)


These are not the donuts from your childhood days.

The duo behind Glazed Donuts Catering cranks out their version of the old-school sweets in new, fabulous flavors so offbeat and environmentally conscious that you'll be saying, "Dunkin, who?!"

Owned by Kristen Anderson and pastry chef Betsy Yagunic, the company right now is being operated from their homes where they're creating irresistible goodies like the seasonal pear with honey, chunky apple cheddar, Mexican chocolate, caramel cornmeal with hazelnut icing or coconut lime (later this fall look out for outrageous flavors butternut squash and Applejack!).

You won't find anything processed in these donuts as Anderson says they're very picky about what goes in them, using only local and organic ingredients such as organic evaporated cane juice.

Right now you'll find the $3 treats every weekend in West Town faves Bite and Swim Cafe, but plans are underway to bring them to a late-night crowd. They're working on opening an after-hours storefront (hours 10pm-10am) that will cater to both morning commuters as well as club crowds.

And speaking of club crowds, they're also working on selling their sweets late night at some of West Town's most popular bars.

"We want to introduce that crowd to what we're doing and get their feedback," says Anderson. "We've been in this industry for a very long time and I have a very good idea of what people really want. We want to bring donuts back to the people who are missing them from their childhood."

To get the Glazed flavor update on how to get next week's specialty donuts, email them here.

So much more coming your way . . .

Urban Belly's ramen with pork belly, shiitake and pho broth is one of the hits of the menu. (Photo: Hungry Mag)


All those foodies and critics going nuts over Bill Kim's tiny Logan Square noodle joint Urban Belly will be thrilled to know that they're expanding. And soon. Word from some serious Ultimate Insiders tell 312 Dining Diva that UB is taking over a larger space next door. That means no more waiting outside for people to vacate those seats. This will be great, especially as cold weather approaches. Also, my sources tell me that they're already looking for a location for a downtown UB.

Another hot bite is the new open-to-the-public eatery going inside of the uber-trendy East Bank Club (500 N. Kingsbury St., 312-527-5800). They're still working on a name—and the concept hasn't been firmed up yet—but they're planning an opening at the beginning of October. Isn't that like right now?! Someone had better move fast!

Vertigo, the Dana Hotel's high-stepping rooftop lounge, opens on Saturday. It was scheduled to launch in late August, then late September, but you know how that goes. Luckily, 75 percent of the space is "indoors" and heated so we won't freeze our asses off when the weather turns.

Publican, the project from the dynamic team behind Blackbird, is scheduled to open this week.

And finally, former Nacional 27 exec chef Randy Zweiban is debuting Province in mid-October.

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.