Mint Juleps, Margaritas, Moles . . . Olé!

Woodford Reserve's $1,000 Mint Julep, only at the Kentucky Derby (Photo: Woodford Reserve)


Some serious high rollers will get to indulge in the Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby.

That's cool because Chicago's so hot this weekend with the openings of Loft Six Ten, Market and Rockit Wrigleyville, there will be plenty of options for Derby—and Cinco de Mayo—parties right here at home.

Here’s where else you need to be:

THURSDAY

AIDSCARE's annual Dining Out for Life happens today, and all you have to do is dine out at one of the participating restaurants to help out those in need, including Club Lucky, Broadway Cellars, Angelina Ristorante, Blackbird and La Creperie. Each spot will donate a percentage of the night's $$$ to the cause.

An early-1990s R&B heartthrob is back with a new record and new attitude. Uptown Magazine and Hidden Beach Recording host a party for the triumphant return of Al B. Sure. If you don't know who he is, you'd better ask somebody. Party happens at Griffin Lounge 9pm-2am, with a preview from his new album, Honey I'm Home. Free with RSVP: rsvp@richmondgrouponline.com.

FRIDAY

Get ready for Battle of the Belgians at Jake Melnick's. The private dining room will be converted into a "battlefield" with three pairing stations of Belgian-style ales and dishes like five-spice ribs, BBQ Mussels and dark chocolate crème brûlée. 7-10pm. $25.

Or, if you're in the mood for vino, head to Enclave for the Wines of the World Tasting. Party promises generous pours of wines from all over the globe, plus heavy appetizers and an after-party all for $20 ($30 at door). 7-9pm.

The Metroboard of the Chicago Urban League hosts a Spring Fling First Fridays at Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St.). Watch these young professionals loosen up on the dance floor to hip-hop, soul and R&B jams by deejays Mark Fullaflava and Timbuck 2. 9pm-2am. $20.



SATURDAY

Apparently, not everyone's interested in Derby and Cinco de Mayo mayhem. For mommies-to-be and nursing moms, a special pre-Mother's Day brunch happens at hip, Middle Eastern-focused Turquoise. Hosted by trendy maternity boutique Kickin', the event includes a fashion show and exotic brunch bites. 9:30-11am. $24. RSVP to Kickin' at 773-281-6577.

The first-ever Mole de Mayo festival happens in Pilsen at the El Zocalo outdoor plaza (18th and Paulina Streets). The event includes traditional mariachi performances, beer garden and open-air market, but the highlight should be the mole cook-off where amateur cooks go head to head with chefs from area restaurants (Mundial Cocina Mestiza, Fig Catering, Zocalo). Judges for the contest include Check, Please! host Alpana Singh and 312DD! 11am-7pm. Cannot believe the daylong fest's only $1!

Do Derby Day at In Fine Spirits, which sounds like a blast for its free-spirited take on the event. Wear the most outrageous hat you can find to win a free Mint Julep or take your chances by picking your horse to win prizes every time you buy a drink. You'll also get to pick your poison for your Mint Julep with bourbon, brandy, gin or whiskey. 3pm-2am. No cover.

Or, make your way to a more traditional Derby deal benefiting local charity Equestrian Connection, over at The Pony. Your ticket includes an open bar and a Southern spread of fried chicken and biscuits. $5 traditional Mint Juleps will also be on sale. Derby wear encouraged. 1:30-5:30pm. $40.

Too bad Cuatro has such a tiny dance floor because you'll want to stay swirling around to the sounds of Mark Grant and Mario Romay. Groove Parlor's deep soul and house music party also includes a performance by vocalist Russoul. Get there early because this thing will get packed early. 10pm-2am. $5.

SUNDAY

And fashionable French-American bistro La Tache's back with a new look and menu. Of course we're especially excited about the brunch at the Andersonville staple, with updated classics like the Croque Madame, crab cake Benedict, and signature burger with balsamic onions, gruyere and truffle aioli. 11am-3pm.

Kahan in People's 100 Most Beautiful issue!

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


While we've been waiting with baited breath on whether Blackbird exec chef/owner Paul Kahan will snag a James Beard award for Outstanding Chef next week, he just surprised us all and scooped up yet another honor.

He's in the current People (2009's Top 100 Beautiful)—which is one of their top selling issues every year!

Read MenuPage's recent interview with the culinary king here.

Sneak peek party for Celebrity Chef Ball

They're already drumming up support for the annual Celebrity Chef Ball, the biggest event of the year for Meals on Wheels Chicago.

You won't find any chefs dancing under the disco ball, but they will be serving signature dishes, desserts and drinks at this party raising funds to support those in need. Last year saw the likes of super star chefs Bill Kim (Urban Belly), Takashi Yagihashi (Takashi), Paul Kahan (Blackbird) and David Burke (Primehouse). We're hoping for a repeat.

Tonight, Meals on Wheels Chicago hosts a sneak-peek party at Rockit Bar and Grill that will possibly let us know who's participating this year. The event includes cocktails and passed appetizers, and for those who buy a ticket for the Oct. 16 Chicago Celebrity Chef Ball at the door get in free. 6-8pm. $20 donation.

Billy Dec updates blog on Rockit Wrigleyville opening

Brad Young (from left), Billy Dec and Arturo Gomez of Rockit Ranch Productions (Photo: Rockit Ranch Productions)


312DD told you earlier this morning Rockit Wrigleyville was debuting tonight, and now Rockit prez Billy Dec just updated his blog with confirmation:

"Proud to announce we are opening our second rockit bar and grill across the street from wrigley field tonight! The staff is so great and training went so well that we found ourselves ready earlier than thought- so opening early- at least most of it- saving sidewalk café for may 6th. It is a beautiful restaurant w/ the same menu as the one in river north that helped us earn the 'best restaurant' award at the 2008 rna awards (and of course the same burger that got 'best burger' in the country on good morning america!)."

Not the "quiet" opening they had hoped for tonight. I wonder why . . . hmmmmmm

UPDATE: NBCChicago.com is all over this story, too!

Chelsea Girls to rock LaSalle Power Co.

Which one's the Playboy model?! (Photo: Chelsea Girls)


How fitting that new rock-focused LaSalle Power Co. charges into its first official weekend with shows from the country's hottest all-girl cover band?!

The L.A.-based Chelsea Girls, which makes its base at The Roxy Theatre, is comprised of drummer Samantha Maloney (Hole, Motley Crue, Eagles of Death Metal and Peaches), bassist Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy), lead guitarist Allison Robertson (founding member of The Donnas) and lead vocalist Tuesdae (world-famous deejay and Playboy model).

Look for them to perform classic and contemporary rock hits Saturday for the public at 9pm. No cover.

This thing will sell out for sure . . .

Elusive French-trained chef Eric Aubriot's been hiding out over at Taste Food and Wine in Rogers Park for about a year now focusing on pairing fine wines with gourmet bites.

So when we came across this cool—and dirt cheap!—event happening this weekend, we had to post it immediately before it sells out:

Aubriot's doing a cooking demo pairing flat iron steaks with wines. It's only $15, which is a bargain to get to hang out with this talented chef who was nominated twice for the James Beard Rising Star award, opened three Chicago restaurants (one of which was named one of Esquire's Best New Restaurants in 1999 and 2001) and worked under some of the most famous master chefs in the world.

The event happens 2-4pm on May 3. Space is limited, so RSVP ASAP.

EXCLUSIVE: Rockit Wrigleyville opens today!

Rockit's tribute to Elvis, "The King French Toast," should likely be on the brunch menu at the new Wrigleyville location. (Photo: Rockit Bar & Grill)


They tried to keep it a secret since day one, but 312DD wasn't having any of that.

Rockit Wrigleyville opens quietly today in the old Tuscany space.

And while we're told the menu and setting resemble the original River North location, here are some comments from a couple of Ultimate Insiders who've actually already seen it:

"I stopped in Rockit Wrigleyville yesterday... it looked pretty sweet at entry; met (manager) Dan Russo briefly. I'll check it out Wed."

"I went on Saturday because I was strolling down Clark that night and there were like 5 people in there and I'm thinking wtf? No one is in Rockit on a beautiful night? They weren't open yet, but whispered to come back on Tuesday!"

We cannot wait to check it out! Next Cubs home game is Thursday . . .

Mavens of mixology

The Wall Street Journal chronicles the history of women behind the bar:

"One of the great legends of how the cocktail came to be credits a colonial barmaid, one Elizabeth 'Betty' Flanagan. James Fenimore Cooper's 1821 novel 'The Spy' tells of how Betty, having been brought up on liquor, 'was peculiarly well qualified by education' to create the first cocktail. With such a worthy accomplishment attributed to a woman bartender, one would think that female mixers would have proliferated."