What would they cook for him?!

Our friends at Restaurant Intelligence Agency rounded up local chefs and asked:

If you were invited to cook at the White House, what one dish would you make?


Jill Barron (MANA Food Bar): I would make my mushroom and brown rice sliders.

Troy Graves (Eve): I would cook up a great macaroni and cheese.

Koren Grieveson (avec): My choice to make for him would be a sausage dish with lots of pork and guanciale.

Paul Kahan (Blackbird): If I was invited to the White House, I would cook country-fried rabbit and rabbit chorizo. It's one of Obama's favorites at Blackbird. He had it for his celebratory dinner after clinching the primary.

Joncarl Lachman (HB Home Bistro): I would make shellfish choucroute. Pretty much becoming the specialty of the house at HB, it's comforting, relaxing, delicious and a little off-the-beaten-path.

Chris Pandel (The Bristol): If I had to cook at the White House, I would make my Caja China and roast a piggy in his yard.

Debbie Sharpe (Feast): I would serve him a hearty meal of roasted chicken with pan gravy, accompanied by lots of vegetables.

Cheers to the Chief!

Whether you're hanging at home or heading out to one of the hot Obama blowouts around town, from C-View to Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille, 312DD's still got you covered:

Those throwing their own Barack bashes will need, of course, a signature sipper. We dig the idea of shaking up The $700 Billion Martini, generously made with Svedka Vodka. You can also find it at People Lounge and Seven Ten.

For something a little smoother, get Hennessy 44, a limited-edition cognac honoring the 44th prez. The bottle features a redesigned label, black capsule and special "44" seal with the date of the inauguration. Only 180,000 collectors' bottles are available and a percentage of the proceeds benefit the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Lucky guests at the glammed-out, VIP party at Park 52 on Tuesday will have a chance to sample Hennessy 44 cocktails.

And instead of the usual bubbly from Champagne, France, do your 'hood good and celebrate with a bottle of Cooper's Hawk Winery's Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. It's the only local winery getting props at the Illinois State Society's Illinois Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C.—plus they're pouring the First Lady's Toast, so you know the Obamas will be there!

Gotta have Faith

Faith & Whiskey opens to the public on Friday. (Photo: Faith & Whiskey)


312DD's secured the first sneak-peek pics of Lincoln Park's newest rock lounge, Faith & Whiskey, which takes over the old Ta'Too.

The laid-back and budget-conscious bar—with an imposing tattooed wall logo, antler light fixtures, encased guitars behind the bar and dark, narrow edges similar to Angels & Kings—is a far cry from owner Hunter Cannon's glamorous West Loop spot Bon V, which is known for hosting celebrity events, including the wrap party for "Public Enemies" last summer.

Even though Faith & Whiskey's in a more low-key 'hood, the guys behind this project are pretty hooked up in the industry, so you never know who'll turn up.

It opens to the public Jan. 23.

Even more news on the Cru closing

How can you benefit on the Cru Café & Wine Bar closing that was exclusively reported on 312DD?!

We just found out that owner Debbie Sharpe is selling off most of the merchandise on Jan. 25, the day after it closes until it transforms into Feast Gold Coast. She's selling off some of the higher-end wines, furniture, chandeliers and coffee tables. That'll happen 9am-noon.

Sharpe also has plans to open two additional Goddess and Grocer shops. One (with yet another Feast Restaurant + Bar) expands into Lincoln Square at 4743 N. Lincoln Ave. in June. And the former Solomon's Cookies at 2222 N. Elston Ave. will become the fourth location.

The original Feast is in Bucktown.

EXCLUSIVE: Update on Cru closing

Appears that we jumped the gun on the Cru closing. Yet another tip comes in; this time from someone who lives next door:

"Cru is closing (last day is 1/24). The ownership is not changing. Cru is being reconcepted into Feast, just like the Goddess/Feast space in Bucktown. They are going to open as Feast 1-2 weeks after Cru closes. I live next door to Cru and in fact just left the place about 30 minutes ago and got the latest scoop."

Maybe they'll leave the Cru Club on the menu after all!

EXCLUSIVE: Cru Cafe & Wine Bar to close

THIS just arrived in the mailbox from an Ultimate Insider:

"Just heard Cru Wine Bar was sold to the owners of something called 'fiesta' and is getting a makeover, will be closing in about a week."

Naturally we checked out this tip with a quick call to the Gold Coast restaurant/lounge, and it's true. Goddess and Grocer, the adjacent cafe and upscale gourmet sandwich shop, will remain open.

So if you're a fan of the infamous Cru Club (made with mounds of grilled beef tenderloin, lobster, avocado and chipotle mayonnaise), you'd better get one before it's too late!

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Debonair Social Club's Claudia Gassel. (Photo: Claudia Gassel)


Some hot heavyhitters blow out the candles on their birthday cakes this week:

She's got sultry style and pin-up girl looks, but make no mistake, Claudia Gassel (Jan. 12), partner of hipster Wicker Park restaurant/lounge Debonair Social Club, is one shrewd businesswoman.

Nightlife promoter Rick De Allay Soul (Jan. 13) keeps house music alive over at Zentra, where he presides over Jack Fridays each week. He's made quite a rep with these parties, lining up local and nationally known spin stars who've found a brand-new audience in his eager young patrons.

Grooveparlor deejay and founder Mario Romay (Jan. 14) gets the underground house heads to bow down to his parties every week at Cuatro. And when you can't make them, you can always catch his mixes as well as those from other deejays here.

And super-girl promoter and all-around do-gooder Sarah Vargo (Jan. 16) made her mark with The Diva Series, honoring local women from the arts, media, fashion and entertainment industries. The party's now at Crimson Lounge on Thursdays (starting Jan. 22), but don't be surprised to find her name attached to other high-profile events.

Mmmmmmmm, soup's on!

You're probably cold down to your bones right about now, but 312DD's got the cure:

THURSDAY

Look for the thermometer outside Salad Spinners's door to find out how much you'll pay for soup today. Owner Rich Levy will give you a free (if temp dips below zero) eight-ounce cup of butternut squash, French onion, Cajun jambalaya or chicken noodle when you buy a salad or sandwich. If it's above zero, you pay that price. Now that's a reason to brave the chill!

Speaking of freebies, tonight's the grand-opening party for Urban Joe (3324 N. Clark St., 773-529-5637) in Wrigleyville. It should be worth your while just for the free haircuts, beer and appetizers from Roadhouse 66. 6-8pm. No cover.

Head over to The Drum and Monkey for the hot new party hosted by DJ John Curley. The music, ranging from electronic house to hip-hop, will certainly keep you warm, but so will those $5 Effen Black Cherry bombs and $3 Jack Daniel's cocktails. 8pm-2am. No cover.

FRIDAY

The dynamic Frank Orrall takes a break from touring with Poi Dog Pondering and Thievery Corporation to drop beats at Juicy Wine Co. Performing under the handle DJ El Dandy Charro, he'll spin stuff you won't hear anywhere else. 9pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

The guys over at Cellar Rat almost never do events anymore, so we were surprised when this one came across the desk: A wine and pizza tasting with eight vinos paired with pies. And it's free. 3-6pm.

Sheffield’s hosting its first-ever Beer School Beer Festival, with more than 15 rare and specialty suds—some not available to other Chicago bars. Brewery reps from the likes of Bells, Three Floyds, Dogfish Head, Peak Organic, Allagash, Surly, Two Brothers and Goose Island will also be on hand to answer questions, plus guests get to sample from four firkins of specialty brews under a heated tent. 1-4pm. $40 for 12 tickets (additional tickets available for purchase).

SUNDAY

The long-awaited Bristol brunch begins today. Yummy a la carte menu items include giant prawn Benedict with biscuits and mustard hollandaise, malted waffle with maple-pecan anglaise, and the fried egg sandwich with grilled bacon.

If this doesn't warm you up, nothing will. Bistro 110 launches its Family & Friends Night, with chicken pot pie dinners every Sunday and Monday. For $15 a person, you'll get the traditional Chicken Blanquette dinner and French-inspired dessert, the Gateau Breton. Large carafes of wine are $10.

BIN 36 returns with Movies in the Loft, this time featuring "North By Northwest." Event includes a wine-and-cheese reception and three-course dinner paired with vino. 6:30-9pm. $48.

JUST ADDED: The Liquid Soul Reunion/All Star Show happens tonight at Double Door. This should be a fun party with almost everyone getting Dr. Martin Luther King Day off on Monday. Jesse de la Pena spins between sets, just like the old days. Doors open at 8pm; show starts at 9. $10.