Tater Tot Trot is back!

Newport Bar & Grill bartenders Emily Wells (from left) and Brian Trombley accept the Golden Tot trophy from Tater Tot Trot founders Amy Murray and Sheri Piecuch in 2008. (Photo: Derrek Hull)


Are you ready for the third-annual Tater Tot Trot?!

Word just came down that the daylong eating event kicks off at Schoolyard Tavern and Grill at 4pm August 8.

Tater tot enthusiasts—or better yet Ambassataters—Amy Murray and Sheri Piecuch created the Tater Tot Trot in 2007 to celebrate a friend's birthday. In one evening they went from bar to bar in search of the best tater tots in town.

Let's see if last year's winner, Newport Bar & Grill, will be able to hold on to its title, as many bars in the area are expected to step up their tater tot game.

Participants in the event will get drink and food specials at the participating bars, which have not all been confirmed yet. Check here for the latest info as August 8 approaches.

The French Storm Chicago's Scene

Les Nubians, the French-Cameroon sister duo Neo-soul act, performs at Green Dolphin Street this weekend.


Sexy sister duo Les Nubians first came across our radar about 10 years ago when they burst on the U.S. market with a brand of Neo-soul we'd never heard before. Blending their native French and Cameroon heritage into contemporary beats of soul, jazz and hip-hop, their sound was an instant hit.

After a bit of a hiatus, they're back. And what timing! July 14 marks the anniversary of Bastille Day, when the French stormed the Bastille for independence. Celebrate a few days early with Les Nubians' performance at Green Dolphin Street tonight.

Tickets are $25 in advance at Brown Paper Tickets or $30 at the door. Show is 9pm-midnight.

Make a move to other Bastille Day celebrations and more this weekend . . .

THURSDAY

Sip your way through some fantastic French vino as West Loop shop Just Grapes celebrates Bastille Day. You'll "journey" to Champagne, Alsace, Burgundy, the Rhone, Bordeaux and the Loire as well as off-the-beaten-path regions. 6-8pm. $25.

As we finally warm up around these parts, Province introduces new summer dishes, including summer squash stuffed inside a crispy mini tortilla (and topped with a poached farm egg) and Seedling Orchard blueberry sorbet accompanied by angel food cake.

Burger enthusiasts will appreciate one sixtyblue's new Thursday night, Burgers, Beers & Beats, highlighting rotating signature burgers and microbrews for $4 each. They've also just added gourmet-style hot dogs to the menu, including the Vince V, Wagyu hot dogs with homemade relish, heirloom tomatoes and housemade mustard for $7. A deejay also spins. 6-10pm. No cover.

Savasana in the City happens at LaSalle Power Co. Hosted by Bikram in the City, the party will likely attract some of the best yoga bodies around town. It's also a benefit for the Illinois Yoga Asana Championship. 5:30-8:30pm. $50 includes open bar and food; $40 for food only.



Bethenny Frankel of "Real Housewives of New York" makes an appearance at Enclave this weekend. (Photo: Bethenny Frankel)


FRIDAY

Who in the hell booked Bethenny Frankel—of Real Housewives of New York fame—at Enclave?! She's in town promoting her Skinny Girl Margarita and bestseller, Naturally Thin. Would've preferred if her party was happening at a more classier joint like Roof, C-View or even Vertigo. Promoter gets a D- for this *&^%$#@!@#$&^%. 8-11pm. $30 includes manis, massages, waxing, sushi and booze.

If you loved Maxwell and D'Angelo when they first hit the scene, then you'll love Chicago's own Peven Everett, a super soul man who's been doing his own thing for quite a while now. He headlines the Friday Night Dance Party at Double Door, which also showcases the talents of Billie Jewell, Jamie 3:26 and Sean Alvarez. 8pm-2am. $15 in advance; $20 day of event.

Jamaican star Yellowman performs his special brand of dub, reggae and dancehall at the Wild Hare. That kicks off at 9:30pm, so get there early if you want to be anywhere near the stage. $20.

Samantha Ronson's spinning at Crimson Lounge again tonight, but we're more excited about Vegas vixen DJ Tina T's Chicago debut at Lumen. The first of a series of female-focused fetes at the Warehouse District boîte, this party includes a midnight giveaway of a designer handbag. 9pm-2am. $20.

SATURDAY

Help power the Library Lounge at Volleywood Beach Bash at North Avenue Beach. The Chicago Public Library's hosting this bike-generated Wi-Fi hub, allowing event guests to access the Internet, check emails and browse the free services offered. Noon-7pm.

Tonight's a good night to indulge in the Southern Table Dinner, a three-course, prix-fixe menu over at Andersonville soul kitchen Big Jones. It changes daily, but count on not spending more than $30. Also, pair it with their signature Carolina Julep, made with Firefly sweet tea infused vodka, lemon, cane syrup, fresh mint and club soda.

SUNDAY

Go old-school brunch at Lakeview French fave La Creperie, which has been around for more than 30 years. We love it for the spacious backyard patio and creamy, homestyle sweet and savory crepes. Standbys include the braised beef with burgundy and mushrooms and chicken in herb cream sauce.

The city's biggest Bastille Day celebration always takes place at Pops for Champagne and this year is no different. The indoor/outdoor event (on the back patio) includes unlimited grilled meats, sandwiches and cheese dishes, plus a glass of bubbly or rose. 3-8pm. $35.

MONDAY

And Life is a Cabaret Mondays debuts at Martini Park tonight. Local cabaret stars, including Chicago entertainer Kathryne Payne and Ben Hartman of Jersey Boys!, will perform all your favorite show tunes. A portion of the night's proceeds benefits Chicago House Charity. 5-9pm. No cover.

'Secret' suppers take off in Chi-Town

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef/owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in early 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


You'd think during these challenging economic times chefs would be jumping through hoops to get your business. But for a select few revolutionary culinary stars, that's just the opposite.

Through an ongoing series of what have come to be known as the underground dinners, chef Efrain Cuevas of Clandestino cranks out inventive feasts in different, offbeat locations each time. They've done everything from a New Orleans-themed extravaganza to dinners in obscure venues on the South Side. To get in the mix, all you have to do is sign up for the newsletter, pay for your reservation and wait for the location to be disclosed a couple of days before the event. Prices vary.

David Burke's Primehouse Executive Chef Rick Gresh hosts a Wednesday Al Greshco event through the Green City Market season. The chef heads to the market with his team to pick out the best seasonal ingredients for a four-course dinner that'll be a total surprise for diners. Each week it changes, but the only way to get a reservation is by contacting Gresh via Facebook or Twitter. $55 per guest; $80 with Gresh’s specialty cocktail and wine pairings.

Expect there to be strong interest also in The Wandering Goat Dinner Series—the concept of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard (also partner/chef for The Drunken Goat). Through November, the little powerhouse will host dinners ranging from backyard BBQs to warehouse parties in secret locations. The kickoff event on July 26 happens to be that BBQ, featuring the meats of Allen Bros. and microbrews of Three Floyds. The final event will include vino from her very own label, Drunken Goat Wine. The only way to RSVP is through her website. All events are $50 and include food and drinks.

And the monthly party known as At The Bar at The Drawing Room is the collaboration between Executive Chef Nick Lacasse and chief mixologist Charles Joly. An inventive, three-course meal is paired with hand-crafted, signature cocktails. While the events aren't exactly "secret," there's only eight seats available, which sell out as soon as it is announced. The next At The Bar happens at 6:30pm July 16, so get on it! $45.

Something New: Cibo Matto, Socca's summer menu

A special mid-summer tasting takes place at Socca tonight. (Photo: Socca)


Cibo Matto, theWit's glamorous Italian eatery, opens today on the hotel's second level. MenuPages catches up with executive chef Todd Stein (who's also at the helm of Roof), who discusses opening-day jitters, favorite menu items and more.

If Cibo Matto's scene a bit much for you on its first day, head to Lakeview as Socca debuts a new mid-summer menu. Exec chef Roger Herring whips up a number of tasting dishes to your delight in the bar area only. That's 5-7pm and free.

Considered somewhat of a brewing "rock star," Tomme Arthur from Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey stops by Bluebird for a special tasting of his beers. You'll sample up to seven, paired with flatbreads and cheese. 7:30-9:30pm. $25.

Wine lovers will indulge in a Mystery Wine Tasting at BOKA. The free event includes four stations pouring a mystery wine out of a decanter for sampling. Attendees will get a ballot and guess what each varietal is. The person who gets the most correct wins a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant. Comped appetizers included. 6:30-8pm.

The first Tuesday of the month means it's Rock Karaoke Night at Debonair Social Club. Get your liquid courage from the $3 well drinks, $3 Absolut Flavor shots and $3 PBR bottles before you make your way onstage. 9pm-2am.

And on Wednesday . . .

Jimmy Sneed of Sugartoad headlines the chef demo at Green City Market. That kicks off promptly at 10:30am, and as usual, the market opens at 7am. Free.

For those who prefer to do their shopping after work, Andersonville Farmers Market occurs 4-8pm every Wednesday. More than 20 vendors, plus live music and socializing should attract a number of neighborhood hot shots. Free.

Got job stress?! Take it out on the Wii on Wednesdays on Jbar's huge 84-inch flat screen television. They're also doing $3 beers, $6 vodka drinks and $2 mini "Burkers." 6-9pm.

Come root for the participants in the first-ever 42RIDE Bike Series at Moonshine. The event benefits Alliance of Biking and Walking, and if more than 100,000 follow the ride on Twitter, 42BELOW will make a $42K donation to the Alliance (pledging 42 cents per person). Riders, including a 73-year-old Texan who bikes 8,000 miles a year and a French sculptor living in Maine, arrive in Chicago Wednesday for the party that includes comped Caipiroska 42 cocktails. 6-8pm.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Koren Grieveson, chef de cuisine at avec. (Photo: Jessica Tampas Photography)


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

Grant Achatz (Alinea): "What do you do when a couple shows up for their reso a week early and you are booked? Pull table #86 out of storage and make it happen."

Rick Gresh (David Burke's Primehouse): "After a long day of working around in the yard, dinner is grilled garden zucchini, burger w/ blue cheese, grilled bacon, devils spit mayo!"

Koren Grieveson (avec): The ox roast at the Frog Pond in Union City, Penn., is so amazing. The bar is actually a boat!"

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "In the middle of the worst brunch ever. Not going to say where, but avoid parsnip 'latkes.'"

Todd Stein (Cibo Matto): "After one week of Cibo I have to play Roof tonight. At least there are fireworks."

Special delivery for Ne-Yo!

R&B superstar Ne-Yo at a recent party at Lumen. (Photo: Lumen)


Celebrities have all the luck.

This time it's R&B super star Ne-Yo, who's in town for a performance at Taste of Chicago.

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique owner Teresa Ging tells 312DD exclusively that her South Loop shop delivered four of her luscious Red Velvet cupcakes to the musician's room at Sax Hotel Tuesday night.

But this is nothing new for her. Ging says she's had a special relationship with the hotel for about two years, and that she's always delivered cupcakes to their VIP guests, including the likes of Kanye West, Spice Girls and Ellen DeGeneres.

Everyone seems to especially love the Red Velvet cupcakes ($3.50 for regular size; $1.50 for minis), but other popular pastries include the Chocolate Milk Chocolate and Black & White cupcakes.

Go Beats, Go BBQ, Go Bang!

What's more American than rock 'n' roll, 40oz-es, fireworks and the Fourth of July?!

Not much, so if you're sticking around town this weekend, 312DD's got you covered if you plan on heading out and about:

WEDNESDAY

Blue 13 debuts a series of rock-focused, five-course feasts tonight and every Wednesday through August 27. Executive Chef Chris Curren's serving up his favorite tunes accompanied by signature dishes. Tonight's all about Weezer, and the dinner begins promptly at 7:15pm. You'll get his Steak and Egg on Acid to the soundtrack of We Are All On Drugs. Now those are beats we can eat to. $50.

Speaking of wacky dinners, how 'bout a match with malt liquor?! As part of its National 40oz Week, The Fifty/50's doing 4 Courses To Freedom 40oz Dinner, a tasting menu of stuffed mushrooms, cheese fries, fried chicken and Baby Back ribs paired with different pours selected by a sommelier (who is it, Snoop Dogg?!). Don't forget to pour out a little to our famous dead homey, Michael Jackson. Starts at 7pm. $25.

Speaking of MJ, Ne-Yo's in town for an after-party at The Shrine, following his show at Taste of Chicago. The likely heir to The King of Pop's throne may pick up a mic, but we're hearing that he'll definitely be hangin' in VIP. 8pm-2am. Cover varies.

Start you BBQ eating a few days early at Just Grapes's annual grill out party with steaks, seafood and hot dogs paired with summer wines. 5:30-7:30pm. $25.



Ne-Yo performs at Taste of Chicago Wednesday, then heads to South Loop hot spot Shrine for the after-party.


THURSDAY

Grammy Award-winning producer/arranger and world-famous deejay Frankie Knuckles returns for his infamous holiday party. Happening indoors and outdoors at Green Dolphin Street, this is the party not to miss. Get there early to mark your spot on the dance floor. 10pm-4am. $10 before midnight; $20 after.

Get ready for an all-out 1980s-themed benefit bash (can you say non-stop MJ?!) at The Silver Room (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Deejays Ruin and Spin perform, chef Radika Desai (Top Chef) whips up signature dishes, and you get to BYOB. All donations for the night benefit Randomly Selected, a non-profit community organization. 7pm-midnight.

It's a three-day blowout at HUB 51/SUB 51, with deejays spinning upstairs and downstairs tonight through Saturday. They'll also have a number of drink specials and BBQ Baby Back ribs all weekend. 9pm-2am Thursday, Friday; open until 3am Saturday. $10 cover Thursday benefits Children's Memorial Hospital.

FRIDAY

Enjoy this Latin spin to Independence Day at Nacional 27. Get there early for the comped tapas tasting (3:30-5pm), then stay for BBQ, Beertails and exotic beats. Also, the Latin BBQ menu is $27 (two person minimum) with three courses, including Gaucho BBQ grilled 30-inch skewers. Deejays will spin for the Friday night Miami Nights party. 3:30pm-2am.

OMG. This sounds good to me: Fried Chicken & Bubbles at Lush Wine and Spirits on Halsted. It's $75, so that buttermilk fried chicken better be damn good! 6-9pm.

SATURDAY

Thirsty?! Head over to Schoolyard, Kirkwood or WestEnd for a number of "fishbowl" drinks served in 1.25 gallon glasses. Our faves? Puff the Magic Dragon (Dragonberry-flavored rum and Hawaiian Punch) and The Shooter McGavin (sweet tea vodka and lemonade). $15 each.

Green Dolphin Street continues to be one of the city's biggest party spots this weekend as Sippin on Saturday returns for its holiday edition. The late-night party includes deejay performances by Mark Fullaflava and Joe Kollage. 10pm-5am. $10 before 11:30pm.

SUNDAY

And it's gonna be an amazing day Sunday, so why not hang out on the river at the Bossa Nova Brunchat Flatwater? A live band performs; the eats are classic American. Interesting, but you're going for the view, right?! 9am-3pm.

NY Times tours local beer hot spots

If you're a self-described "beer geek," man, do I have a story for you!

In a New York Times travel piece, local writer Ari Benderski drinks his way through Chicago's new wave of microbrews.

From standbys Hopleaf and Maproom to the hot new shiny things (State and Lake, Bar DeVille), you'll learn all you need to know whether you're a visitor or local.