Speidi snubbed at Alinea?!

Spencer and Heidi Pratt of "reality fame."


Speidi—the terrible twosome newlywed "reality stars" known as Spencer and Heidi Pratt—think they're famous and run with the A-List crowd, but not in our town.

An Ultimate Insider writes to 312DD that the last time they were here, one place they couldn't pull any of their bullsh*t was none other than Alinea:

"Believe what you see. They really are douchebags. Came in to the restaurant once without a reservation (you know....that fancy place in Lincoln Park that starts with an 'A'), and were promptly turned away in hilarious fashion (considering no one there had any idea who they were) and when they finally came back (having made a reso like everyone else that time) they lived up to every concievable horror one might dream them to embody. Hilarious, and certainly a low point for that establishment's clientele."

Tickets are going fast!

"Top Chef" stars Stephanie Izard and Dale Levitski at last year's Green City Market Summer BBQ Festival. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


This year's Green City Market Summer BBQ Festival is bigger than ever with more than 50 of Chicago's chefs participating (that means more food!) in Lincoln Park.

Just found out they've sold more than half the tickets, so if you plan on going, you need to act now here because you won't be able to buy them at the door.

The grand outdoor chowdown happens 6-8pm July 16 (rain or shine), with the likes of John Caputo (A Mano), Paul Kahan (Blackbird, avec, Publican), Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat), Carrie Nahabedian (NAHA), Christophe David (NoMi) and others whipping up signature BBQ bites. You'll also get Goose Island beer, cocktails and wine. Tickets are $60.

Word on the return of fave alfresco spots . . .

Cedar Hotel opens this summer by the team behind RiNO and Manor. (Photo: flickr.com/jnicholl81)


It's June 2, and it's COLD.

Here's something to warm you up—even though these spots won't be opening until later in the summer:

On the Gold Coast, Cedar Hotel takes over the entire outdoor chilling space once known as Melvin B's and Cactus. It's now under the ownership of the guys behind RiNO and Manor, and anticipates opening by the end of the month.

312DD got a little more information about the venue once known as Pontiac Cafe (1531 N. Damen Ave.), now owned by the team behind award-winning ventures Blackbird, avec, Publican, Danny's and The Violet Hour. The still unnamed bar, which is incidentally directly across the street from The Violet Hour, will keep its massive outdoor patio that made it the most popular summer hangout in the Wicker Park 'hood. An Ultimate Insider tells us to expect it to be a cross between Danny's (homey, hipster vibe) and The Violet Hour (post-modern mixology program) with tacos on the menu. Opening unknown, but they're shooting for this summer.

And Life's Too Short, which shuttered its nautical-themed dive in 2004 at Elston and Division streets, is looking to make a comeback under the same name and new ownership. No word on whether they'll return to their original concept of live reggae under the stars, but that would certainly be a winner. We're hearing it might open later this summer.

Introducing: FREEBIE FRIDAY!

If you've been following 312DD on Twitter for awhile, you already know I'm always cooking up kooky ideas to get people to join.

This week I'm introducing FREEBIE FRIDAY (happens every other Friday!), when one fellow Tweep wins a cool dining- or drinking-related prize.

The inaugural FREEBIE FRIDAY prize is Champagne Table, happening every Wednesday in Trump Hotel's exclusive VIP area in Rebar. One lucky person will win a reservation for two.

Sommelier Steven Lee hosts the event with hors d'oeuvres and a wide selection of bubbles from a monthly featured Champagne house, all the while learning about the wines and enjoying amazing views of the Chicago River. Space is limited to 16 guests each week; reservations highly recommended. 5:30-7pm. $25 per person.

Champagne Table lineup for the rest of the year:

June – Perrier-Jouët
July – Sparkling wine vs. Champagne
August – Blanc de Blanc vs. Brut
September – Grower Champagne
October – Rosé Champagne: in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
November – Laurent Perrier
December – Tête de Cuvée or “Head of the Class”

Follow 312 Dining Diva here!

NOTE: Must be a Chicago-area resident to participate. Winners announced 5pm Fridays.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Cibo Matto's Todd Stein (Photo: Todd Stein)


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

Paul Kahan (Blackbird): "Doing r and d at May Fest. Yummy herring sand. With hoffbrau. I almost feel German. Prost."

Michelle Garcia (Bleeding Heart Bakery): "Great Smash Cake opening! Thank you to everyone that came out!"

Bill Kim (Urban Belly): “Picked up delicious organic pea shoots from Three Sisters Farm at the Green City Market today-adds a taste of summer to our Thai Basil rice.”

Ryan Poli (Perennial): "Excited about tomorrow's Sunday Supper Club at Perennial. This week's theme Italian!"

Debbie Sharpe (Feast): "Dinner at Veerasway followed by Mary Poppins. Love me some flyaway curry."

Todd Stein (Cibo Matto): “It is a beautiful Chicago night, roof is alive, and people are enjoying.”

Get a load of this . . .

(Photo: Jake Melnick's Corner Tap)


Just in time for Father's Day, Jake Melnick's Corner Tap unveils the Big Daddy Burger.

It's nine ounces, hand-crafted, stuffed with bleu cheese, basted with homemade steak sauce, and topped with black peppercorn bacon, horseradish havarti, crispy onion strings, aioli, lettuce and tomato on a pretzel bun. If that's not enough for you, it comes with a Phin & Matt’s Extraordinary Ale and fries for $9.95.

On Dad's day, he gets it for half price.

Going Once, Going Twice, Gone!

Chaise Lounge's Cary Taylor might whip up his signature Chaise Tacos at your home. (Photo: James R. Lasky)


312DD's been gushing about the Swan Creek Live Twitter Auction all week long, but at 9pm it comes to a close.

So time is ticking if you're still trying to place a bid on one of 15 of Chicago's prominent chefs to come cook at your home, including Paul Virant (Vie), Troy Graves (Eve), Suzy Crofton (Crofton on Wells) and Cary Taylor (Chaise Lounge).

To find out who placed the highest bids, head to a party happening at Goose Island Clybourn tonight. Your ticket includes beer, snacks, giveaways and a chance to win your very own wine-tasting event at Juicy Wine Co. 6-9pm. $25.

Of course, there's so much more going down this weekend. . .

THURSDAY

Make sure you wear a cute jacket or cozy sweater (and gloves!) if you plan on attending Red Kiva's patio party celebrating the summer. They'll be doling out mojito samples, drink specials and complimentary flatbread pizza to go along with live entertainment by Those Guys. 6-9pm. No cover.

Those looking for a hot new space to entertain this summer might want to check out the party happening at Gallery 1028 (1028 N. Hooker St.). They're doing an open house with a tour of the venue. Complimentary cocktails. 5:30-8:30pm RSVP to shelley@gallery-1028.com for admittance.

Indulge in a South of the Equator Tasting at the WineStyles on Belmont. You'll learn about vino from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, plus sample flavored grape seed oils from WildTree. 6-8pm. No cover.

FRIDAY

Get 20 percent off your bill at Lockwood with proof of a ticket purchased for the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.). It's good for lunch or dinner daily, so you can finally get your hands on that World Famous Lobster Dog. (NOTE: Discount does not include alcohol or tip.)

Since our city's outlawed real happy hours, MORE, the cupcake boutique in the Gold Coast, offers the next best thing. Every Friday, they're hooking up comped, cocktail-inspired cupcakes in flavors like margarita, piña colada, Cuba libre, mojito and Kir Royale. 5-7pm. Free.

SATURDAY

Do Division Street Festival, Wicker Park's first official street fest of the year, happens today and Sunday. All the little edgy shops, eateries and bars will have deals all weekend, plus look for live music by Flosstradamus, Dark Meat and Menomena 1-8:30pm. Hop on over to The Fifty/50, Boundary, Moonshine and Enoteca Roma while you're in the area.

SUNDAY

How does French toast sound to you right about now?! How about if it's topped with macerated Door County cherries, bourbon syrup and cracked hazelnuts? That's one of the highlights at Farmerie 58's new brunch service, which launches on its new patio this weekend. We also like the sound of the Crab Cake Benedict and Quiche Duo, made with housemade sausage, bell peppers, spinach and Gruyere. A comped Mimosa comes with each entree. 11am-3pm.

MONDAY

Vie's celebrated chef Paul Virant serves as special guest bartender during Shift Mondays at Pops for Champagne. Not sure what he's shaking up, but you're certain not to be disappointed. Rock star mixologists Debbi Peek and Bridget Albert will also be on hand, donating all their tips to Gilda’s Club. 9pm-2am. No cover.

And keep your fingers crossed for awesome weather so you can hang on ENO's patio for this summer-focused soiree. They're pairing five seasonal wines with cheese. 7-8pm. $25. RSVP to venue.

Publican gets BIG props from NYT

(Photo: Bob Briskey Photography)


Awwww, man.

Publican's truly hit the big time now.

New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni anoints the West Loop eatery "an outstanding newcomer" in his review and continues to gush:

"What is ultimately striking about the new generation of restaurants like Publican, which appeal as much to the glutton as to the gourmand in you, isn't their informality. It's their gaiety, an emotional tone much different from the subdued rapture so many chefs once asked you to feel."

Absolutely fantastic!