The list is in!

The Beard Foundation has nominated Blackbird/Publican Executive Chef Paul Kahan for "Outstanding Chef 2009." (Photo: Blackbird)


Sooo glad I checked out Publican Sunday for the brunch everyone's raving about because it's about to get truly nuts over there.

Executive Chef Paul Kahan just received a nomination for Outstanding Chef 2009 by the Beard Foundation, which will announce winners in New York on May 4 at Lincoln Center.

Here are all the Chicago nominees for the most prestigious restaurant awards in North America:

Best Chef, Great Lakes Region: Koren Grieveson (avec), Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun's), Bruce Sherman (North Pond Cafe)

Best New Restaurant: L2O

Outstanding Service: Spiaggia

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate)

Outstanding Restaurateur: Richard Melman (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)

Outstanding Wine Service: Brian Duncan (Bin 36)

Outstanding Restaurant Design and Outstanding Restaurant Graphics: The Publican

Cookbook in the Cooking From A Professional Point of View category: Grant Achatz's Alinea cookbook

Good luck, guys!

Weekend Tweet Beat . . .

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef/owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in the fall. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Graham Elliot Bowles (graham elliot): "Goose Island Brewery tour today with GE team."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "3rd year anniversary dinner @ Avenues last night ... food was brilliant. Curtis Duffy is one of the top chefs in Chicago!"

Koren Grieveson (avec): "Just had the most amazing brunch at the Publican! rocking grits!"

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "Recovering from an awesome meal at Schwa last night. The arctic char roe was killer."

Stephanie Izard: "I just saw the best cocktail being shaken at bar de ville...Ramos Gin Fizz...they love workin their muscles for this one."

Carrie Nahabedian (naha): "Getting ready to cook at Justin Winery in Paso Robles, California this weekend."

Rick Tramonto: "I just had a brilliant meal by Chef Chris Pandel at the Bristol in Chicago. All must go and go again and again."

Mmmmmmmm, sandwiches . . .

Slashfood readers pick the top 50 sandwiches in America, including the Cemita and wet Italian Beef at local favorites Cemitas Pueblo and Al's Beef, respectively.

Don't see yours on the list? Make your voice heard in the comments section like everyone else!

For the Fellas (so single ladies know where to go!)

The James Club, at the James Hotel in River North. (Photo: James Hotel)


March Madness's officially on for the NCAA basketball season, and everyone's scrambling on where they're going to watch the games.

If you don't want to get caught up in the mayhem, we suggest reserving The James Club, tucked inside the James Hotel.

The venue's typically used for private dinners and small board meetings, but you can have it for your very own March Madness viewing party for free (with a minimum of 15 people; $65 per person). The personalized wet bar, leather-rimmed billiards table, free Wi-Fi, plasma screen and lush, oversized furniture are just some of the perks.

Plus, you can't beat the David Burke's Primehouse Bracket Buster Menu (mini steak “Burkers,” wings, fajita station, cured Italian meats, sushi station and Chicago-style pizza) that comes with the deal. Call 312-337-1000 to secure.

Here's where else to go on this very guy-centric weekend (where the guys go, the girls will certainly follow!):

THURSDAY

Bulls' star Ben Gordon hosts a March Madness kickoff party at Bull & Bear. We'll put our money on those two coveted VIP tables with personalized beer taps already reserved. 7pm-2am. No cover.

Award-winning British ale B United makes a rare appearance in a Chicago venue, and Roscoe Village's Lush Wine & Spirits gets the honor. A few spaces are left for guests to indulge in sampling, food and words from a rep. 7-8:30pm. $15; RSVP required.

Celebrated Nacional 27 mix man Adam Seger's monthly happy hour class is back, this time focusing on "spice and ice" cocktails. He'll show you how to make his Mango-Ginger-Habanero Daiquiri and Chadwick Mojito. Appetizers and recipe cards, too. 5:30-6:30pm. $15.

Ultimate bro-mance flick "I Love You Man" hits theaters Friday, but you and the boys might wanna check out the specially themed party at Sheffield's before going. Somehow tonight was tagged National Man-Date Day (WTF?!), so they're doing it up big with "man trivia," a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” tournament, $4 bromance shots and more. Oh, and the grand prize for the tournament is a "beer bouquet." O-kay. 9pm-midnight. No cover.

Martini Park's brand-new, after-work menu includes a number of small bites ($5-$8), plus cocktails. Favorites include Rhode Island Style Rock Shrimp and Buffalo Chicken Lollipops. Also, live music and the games will be shown on several monitors. 5-8pm. No cover.

Who needs the Pussycat Dolls when Le Passage has The Dollhouse?! Think sexy burlesque dancers and $200 bottles of Snow Queen vodka. And if you arrive early (10-11pm), they'll pamper you with complimentary cocktails. DJ Adrie Marie spins hip-hop. 10pm-4am. RSVP to LPinfo@lepassage.com for guest list.

FRIDAY

NYC electroclash duo Fischerspooner spins a one-of-a-kind deejay set at Debonair Social Club to support Chicago-based environmental cause "Dude We Can Fix It." The group's raising funds for "We Can Solve It," the Al Gore organization with the goal of having America's electricity generated from non-fossil fuel sources within 10 years. 9pm-2am. Donation.



NYC electroclash duo Fischerspooner spins at Debonair Friday.


SATURDAY

For the first time ever, Gen Art's SHOP Chicago features men's designers—selected by Thrillist. Look for more than 50 emerging accessory and clothing designers, including Lara Miller, organiK Revolution, PAOO LLC, liaMolly, Foxglove Accessories as well as Thrillist-approved menswear DEMOGRAPHIC, Loop Apparel and TATTOOED TEES. Those who get the VIP tickets will also have access to the lounge, which includes sounds by DJ Sye Young, comped cocktails and spa treatments. 1-6pm. General admission free; VIP tickets $40. The Great Hall, Union Station, 275 S. Clinton St.

More shopping on tap over at Funkshion (2121 W. Division St., 773-697-4119) in Ukrainian Village, where you can get cardigans and blazers at 70 percent off. You can also rifle through their new spring line of men's styles (and women's) as DJ Ben Castaneda spins in the corner. Guests will also be treated to an open bar 7-11pm. The after-party happens at Bon V (mention "Funkshion" for free admission). 9pm-3am.

If you're still standing after watching the games all day, how about some scotch sampling from Chivas 18?! Head to Moonshine (8:30-10pm) and/or Five Star Bar (10-11:30pm) for the juice. No cover.

SUNDAY

The Publican's first-ever brunch last Sunday was a little shaky, yet a major success as executive chef Paul Kahan twittered the entire service to the delight of hundreds of hungry fans all over the country. We think it'll be even more crowded as folks come in for the Beer Mimosas, Scrapple & Sunnyside Eggs and house-cured smoked bacon. 10am-2pm

Newcomer Feast Gold Coast delves right into brunch service with Eggs Royale (poached eggs and smoked salmon on an English muffin with hollandaise and caviar) with a glass of Luis Pato Sparkling Rosé Brut for $20 and a classic Hangover Helper (a.k.a. Bloody Mary). 10am-3pm

TUESDAY

Warrenville's Two Brothers Brewery hosts a tasting at Bluebird, highlighting the full lineup of all their beers. They're also bringing in a special pin firkin (5 gallon keg) of just-released Bare Tree Barleywine, plus reps will be on hand to answer questions. Brats and snacks will also be served. 7:30-9:30pm. $25; RSVP required.

Shout out to stouts . . .

Sheffield’s at it again with more "beer school programs" coming up by two of Michigan's premier breweries.

Beer fanatics will love Dark Night, hosted by Dark Horse Brewery, and a chance to check out yummy stouts like One Oatmeal, Too Cream, Fore Smoke and Tres Blueberry.

For the event, Sheffield’s offers $3 pilsner-size (half-pint) paired with comped passed appetizers as Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of the Moon" serves as a backdrop for the evening. 7pm March 25.


Also happening is Bells’ Oberon Summer Ale Release Party, as the brewery taps its first keg of the season. The lively event includes sampling of the beer; Luke Schmidt of Buddy Nuisance and American Taxi on hand for a live acoustic performance; and raffle giveaways for Cubs tickets, t-shirts and a VIP tour of Bells Brewery. That's happening at 7pm March 30.

Today's the day!

Grab your green and get on the St. Patrick's Day scene.

We've got record high temperatures today, so check CitySearch's hot list for lively venues, including Abbey Pub, The Kerryman and O'Brien's.

Enjoy the day!

Food (Writer) Fight!

"Get a life," emailed Chicago Sun-Times restaurant critic Pat Bruno to Chicagoist dining writer Chuck Sudo in response to this post Monday calling out his "re-review" of Cafe Bionda:

"We still read newspapers, oh yes we do, indeed. So we were happy to find, while reading last Friday's Sun-Times, that restaurant critic Pat Bruno had an opinion of Café Bionda much in line with ours. We also have a good memory and thought, 'Hadn't Bruno reviewed Bionda before?'

Turned out he had. Only it was Bionda's Wicker Park location, and it was only last February that Bruno raved about that one. Helen Rosner at MenuPages Chicago compares the similarities between the reviews. For us, the issue is one of simple laziness. One of the knocks on Bruno's recent work is that it's, let's say, by the numbers. Far be it from us to criticize someone for writing about what he knows best, which in Bruno's case is Italian dining. But two reviews of what is essentially the same restaurant seems like laziness."

Oh, and this gets even better when the Chicagoist writer gets Bruno on the phone, but you gotta read his response—and diss—here.

Drama!

Seriously, what is going on with DC?!

Please, please, please tell me my eyes are playing tricks on me!

Here's today's headline for Daily Candy:

"Slutting Her Stuff"

And then it just gets better from there:

"There are two kinds of hos.

Cheap ones (Ashley — or is it Kirsten?) and hos who make dough.

Jessica Volpe is the latter. Her alter ego, the Pasta Puttana (“pasta whore” in Italian), makes the silkiest, freshest macaroni in the land."

Woot?!