Bandoleros, Former BIN 36 Chef Involved in Pasha

The Bandoleros are partners in new Randolph Street restaurant Pasha. (Photo: Pasha)


We're expecting big things from Randolph Street newcomer and globally inspired eatery Pasha, now that Daniel Marquis, a former chef at BIN 36, Bistro 110 and Sushi Samba rio is on board.

Set to open Oct. 22 (with grand opening events through Oct. 25), Pasha's owned in part by Latin band Bandoleros and manager Ron Levine, who will certainly keep the scene lively on the regular.

$1,250 gets you closer to the Mole Master . . .

Frontera Grill's Rick Bayless


Just last week, we ran into a guy at RL who was a deadringer for Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco), which reminded me that I needed to write something about this cool event kicking off next week:

The 86 Hunger dinner series brings together Food Depository supporters and some high-profile local chefs to end hungry in our community.

The event kicks off Oct. 21 with a special VIP experience with Bayless—which starts in his magnificent Bucktown garden. The $1,250 package also includes transportation to Frontera Grill, where guests will get to watch the master in his test kitchen and dine in the private room. From 5-9pm you'll get to nosh from a multi-course tasting menu of signature Mexican bites.

If that pricetag's too steep, join Jackie Shen's party at Red Light 6-10pm Oct. 26, where she'll host a family-style dinner of tasty Asian delights. It ends with one of the best desserts we've seen in a long time: her semi-sweet chocolate bag with chocolate mousse, fresh berries and raspberry sauce. $150.

On Oct. 28, new Custom House exec chef Aaron Deal plans to wow guests with a seasonal menu of hearty fare such as a decadent pumpkin lobster bisque, stone crab and an all-natural beef entree. 6-10pm. $150.

Long-time philanthropists Susan and Drew Goss do their part at neighborhood gem West Town Tavern, with homey dishes like country ham-wrapped turkey breast paired with cheddar corn grits and red eye gravy. Also, everything's paired with wine and signature cocktails. 5:30-9:30pm Nov. 8. $150.

At BOKA's event, taking place Nov. 10, Giuseppe Tentori plans to do four amazing courses, including a braised short rib with grilled carrot sauce and crispy polenta. 6-10pm. $150.

And Restaurant Michael, the only suburban spot on the list, offers an interactive experience in its Winnetka home. Guests will get to choose from a number of dishes from chef Michael Lachowicz's five-course menu, but we're totally feeling the breast of Guinea hen stuffed with savory bread pudding. Paired with cocktails. That's 6-10pm Nov. 18. $150.

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Fabrice Calmels and April Daily in Joffrey Ballet's season opener of "Othello." (Photo: Herbert Migdoll)


"Where can we get a meal under $30 before Jersey Boys?"

"What's the most romantic spot for drinks near the United Center?"

"Who has the best Mexican food around the Lookingglass Theatre?"

Questions like these hit the 312DD inbox so often that it makes total sense to create a weekly Stage Bites guide.

Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before/after the show:


Joffery Ballet's Othello at Auditorium Theatre Oct. 14-25. Local choreographer Lar Lubovitch gets his shine on for the company's season opener featuring the classic, full-length ballet. Get tickets here.

Custom House: Menu changes daily for the three-course deal, offered nightly at 5 and 5:30pm seatings. $46 per person.

Epic Burger: The all-natural signature burger topped off with a caged-free organic fried egg is the business. $7.

Mercat a la Planxa: Hit up the first-level lounge for potent pitchers of seasonal sangria in red or white. And if you come on Mondays, it's only $1.99 a glass.


Me'Shell Ndegeocello at Old Town School of Folk Music. 7, 10pm shows Oct. 16. Expect a funk-fueled show as the soulful songbird returns with her eighth album, Devil's Halo (Downtown). Get tickets here.

Bistro Campagne: Keep it simple with the Bistro Burger ($13) made with aged Cheddar and Tallgrass beef, or go decadent with a hearty cassoulet ($24) filled with Pinn-Oak Ridge lamb, pork sausage, duck confit, pork belly, cannellini beans and herbed bread crumbs.

Cafe Selmarie: You'll savor the wild mushroom ravioli ($13.75) right down to the last bite, especially the sage-brown butter sauce and toasted panko breadcrumbs. We also love the daily quiche special ($10.50) and sweet potato "fries" with chipotle dipping sauce ($4).

Tiny Lounge: After the show head here and ask for Tito's Hammock—a signature drink that's not on the menu. The vodka-based cocktail comes with crushed ice, thinly sliced lemons and limes, cucumber, and topped off with seltzer. Also great are seriously hand-crafted versions of The Hemingway and Pisco Sour.


The Message Is In The Music (God Is A Black Man Named Ricky) at Black Ensemble Theater Oct. 18-open run. Season opener blasts off with soul-stirring musical featuring hits from Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers, The Temptations, The Beatles and Paul Simon. Get tickets here.

Agami Contemporary Sushi: They're doing wine specials every day, plus you can indulge in the "early bird special" of buy one, get one at half off on any maki or entrees such as teriyaki-infused filet mignon or blackened seared tuna. 5-7pm Fridays and Saturdays only.

Anna Maria Pasteria: Get $8 spaghetti dinners and $2 meatballs on Sundays at this North Side institution known for divine handmade pastas and sauces.

Mixteco Grill: BYOB Mexican with high marks for dishes like carne asada, enchiladas rojas and the tamales. Nothing's over $20!

Wish Upon a (Big) Star . . .

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


Big news early on this gloomy holiday morning arrives in the form of something we've been waiting for awhile.

The award-winning chef Paul Kahan's finally given a name to his taco-focused project going into the old Pontiac Cafe space.

Look for Big Star to open sometime in the late fall/early winter season. The honky-tonk inspired bar should be a welcome addition to the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood indeed.

The menu's simple and inexpensive, offering tacos (including a specialty flavor of the week), queso fundido, and chips and salsa. Plus the drink list reads like a downscaled version of its uppity sister across the street, The Violet Hour, whose bar director, Michael Rubel, created the mixology program.

This is where people will go for nightly whiskey shots, bourbon and updated old-school sippers like La Paloma (Herradura Plata, lime, Squirt made in Mexico), Bakersfield Buck (Old Heaven Hill bottled in bond, lime, AJ Stephans ginger beer) and Tequila Completo (Don Julio Plata with housemade sangrita).

And finally, country music may not be our thing, but something tells us that the way it'll go down here will quickly change our minds. Deejays from sister bar Danny’s Tavern and Reckless Records will spin insurgent country jams.

Change is in the Air

The view from above at Tru, in Streeterville. (Photo: Tru)


It's been quite a busy week for Chicago's chefs.

New blood is everywhere.

In the South Loop, acclaimed chef/restaurateur Shawn McClain handed over the reigns to a new chef at Custom House.

C-House's Seth Siegel-Gardner moves on, making way for a former Lula Cafe chef to interpret Marcus Samuelsson's globally inspired seafood menu.

And get ready for big changes over at TRU. Executive Chef Tim Graham—who was recently hailed as a bright new star by NewCity—just took over the kitchen at Brasserie Jo.

His replacement is Anthony Martin (a former sous chef at three-star Michelin resto Joël Robuchon, in Vegas' MGM Grand Hotel and Casino), another up-and-coming chef who was recruited by Scott Barton, a supervising partner and president of the fine-dining division for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, according to an Ultimate Insider. Martin's been working at TRU for two months now, says manager Serge Kreiger.

Stay tuned for what this new chef de cuisine has planned for the award-winning restaurant, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. We hear the news is going to rock the dining world to its core.

Developing . . .

Sam's Sold To Binny's?!

From an Ultimate Insider:

"I am hearing from folks who have steered me right in the past that the rumor mill is saying that the announcement that Sam's will be sold to Binny's is coming shortly."

A quick scan around the 'net came up with this gem from Wine Berzerkers.

Wow, just wow.

UPDATE: Here's even more detailed information from the Chicago Tribune, which came out about an hour later.

Sightings galore, plus a hot new local couple?!

Robert De Niro was spotted at Spiaggia this week!


Zwecker's got the scoop on a ton of celebs rolling through town:

"As Vince Vaughn graciously worked the room at the party at
Prosecco following the Chicago premiere of his new Couples Retreat comedy, people noticed a nice-looking new couple: NBC-5 anchor Marion Brooks and White Sox GM Kenny Williams."

And . . .

"Given The Little Fockers is filming here, get ready for lots of sightings -- including Robert De Niro at Spiaggia and Jessica Alba at Hub 51 and Jessica Alba at Sunda, where she was joined by Ben Stiller."

UPDATE: An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that Kenny Williams says that he is only friends with Marion Brooks, and that she has a boyfriend.

Tap That Keg; Slurp That Oyster . . .

Who says grown-ass men and women like us are too old for a good ol' keg party?!

Landmark Grill + Lounge's bucking the trend by throwing a Keg Party and Oyster Fest, but don't go expecting it to be fratastic.

On tap you'll find brews by Goose Island (312, Honkers Ale, Matilda, Harvest Ale), so drink as much as you can handle for $20 ($15 if you can prove you're industry). As part of the deal, guests will also be treated to Executive Chef Kurt Guzowski’s oysters done three ways: baked, fried and raw. Deejay JRose spins. 8pm-2am Thursday.

But wait. There's so much more . . .

THURSDAY

If you're bored with the usual wine-pairing dinners, then this one's for you. Otom teams up with the North Shore Distillery's mixology team for a three-course dinner paired with cocktails. Diners will also get to meet the new chef, Thomas Elliot Bowman, who'll lead an informal discussion. 7-9pm. $50.

The 16th annual Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza happens tonight, but it's gonna cost you plenty. $130 ($115 for members) gets you loaded up on the finest booze in the world. You can still register in advance here. 6:30-9pm at The Union League Club of Chicago (65 W. Jackson Blvd.).



Mercat a la Planxa Chef Michael Fiorello demos the tableside paella experience. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


FRIDAY

You'll know exactly how fresh your paella is over at Mercat a la Planxa, which just introduced a "tableside" experience. After your server sells you on the idea, Chef de Cuisine Michael Fiorello brings over all the ingredients on a pig cart and starts cooking. During his demo, he'll explain all the steps it takes to make the perfect paella, which takes about 25 to 30 minutes. Of course he cannot do everything at the table, so it'll finish baking in the kitchen. It's topped off with grilled marinated chicken breast, saffron aioli and a parsley tomato salad. $40 for paella served tableside on Fridays only.

To observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Peninsula's doing its part by donating $2 for every afternoon tea served in the lobby to the charity. That's served daily 3-5pm Monday-Saturday and 4-6pm Sunday. Friday afternoon tea guests will also be treated to informal fashion shows featuring designs from local boutiques and retailers. And $5 from each meal at Avenues and Shanghai Terrace will also be donated to breast cancer research charities.

The guys over at Blue 13 are so excited that they're going to be featured on the season premiere of Check Please! tonight that they're throwing a viewing party. Have dinner at the offbeat contemporary American eatery and indulge in one of their favorite wines, Four Vines Anarchy, on special at $10 a glass. 7-9pm.

Speaking of premiere parties, Enclave's hosting such a ridiculous bash for Nip/Tuck that it's worth a mention. It's sponsored by Liposuction Cosmetic Institute and Longevity Medical Spa, and one "lucky" winner will get $4,500 in treatments. Woot?! 9pm-2am.

SATURDAY

It's free day at the Museum of Science & Industry, and while that's exciting and all, we're more giddy about the cooking demo. They've gathered a number of amazing chefs who'll be whipping up allergen free black bean cakes served with fire roasted salsa! The lineup: 10:30am Michelle Garcia (Bleeding Heart Bakery); 11:30am Mike Cisternino (Tavern at the Park); 12:30pm Joshua Linton (ajasteak); 1:30pm Ina Pinkney (Ina's); 2:30pm Lisa Williams (Lisa Cooks Allergen Free).

SUNDAY

Rooting for someone special at the Chicago Marathon?! If you're at the finish line, head on over to The Gage when it's over. If it's chilly outside, the buckwheat waffles, traditional Irish breakfast and house-made corned beef hash are certain to warm you up. Brunch's served 10am-2:30pm.

TUESDAY

And you'll be rewarded sweetly at The Drawing Room if you help them raise money for Macy's Come Together campaign for Feeding America. Tonight through Oct. 17, donate $10 to the cause and get a complimentary dessert flight (value $12). Your $10 will be matched by Macy's and will provide 140 meals to those in need in the Chicagoland area.