She Wang Dang Doodled into our Hearts!

NBC Chicago's footage of a recent interview and performance with legendary blues queen Koko Taylor, who passed away today . . .

Super Chef is #$%^&*&^%$!?#@!

Dennis Ongkiko, composer of "Super Chef." (Photo: Kevin Boehm)


I hope she can take a joke.

Of course I'm referring to celebrity chef Rachael Ray, who's lampooned ''Weird Al'' Yankovic-style in the song Super Chef, which is featured in mockumentary The Golden Spoon.

The film, which will be featured in the upcoming June 12 Gold Coast Film Fest, is about a fictional "James Beard-like" awards ceremony and was shot by local hot shot restaurateur Kevin Boehm (BOKA, Landmark, Perennial).

Dennis Ongkiko (brother of Old Oak Tap owner Chris Ongkiko) wrote the song and stars in the movie.

Check the lyrics:

"My stock is on the rise. I've got the critics on their knees with open mouths between my thighs . . . . better make your reservation, summer menu's on fiyah!

"I'm doing my best 'cause I'm a Super Chef, Food Network called, they're gonna give me a show. My rave reviews are harder than habachi . . . "

Listen to Super Chef here as he really gets down 'n' dirty, and yes, he gets in a dig on Rachael Ray!

Crazy!

Kids' Restaurant Week returns

312DD typically isn't a kid-friendly site, but we've gotten many requests from those with little ones about special deals.

MenuPages writes that the second-annual Kids' Restaurant Week happens June 20-28 "with prix-fixe menus (pay your age if you're under 11; $29 for kids and adults 12 and older) and family-friendly dining times of 5-7pm."

Just some of the participants include 312 Chicago, Coco Pazzo Cafe, Duchamp, Osteria Via Stato, Landmark and Aigre Doux.

I spy a trend. Next year it'll be Doggy Dining Week . . .

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.”