Boka Bartender Crowned 'King of Mixology'

Boka's Ben Schiller (left) and Zach Friedlander of Relax Lounge face off in an "Iron Chef"-style challenge at Landmark Thursday. (Photo: Chris LaMorte/Urban Daddy Chicago)


It started in May.

The first-ever Sweet 16 of Mixology—created by Kevin Boehm (Boka, Landmark, Perennial)—had the city's most established bartenders competing against one another each week until it came down to two guys: Boka's Ben Schiller and Zach Friedlander of Relax Lounge.

The finals took place Wednesday at Landmark, with the contestants competing in an "Iron Chef"-style challenge for a grand prize of $500. The judges?! Yours truly, plus Chris LaMorte (Urban Daddy), Gary Wiviott (LTHForum, Low & Slow BBQ) and Amanda Puck (XA, The Experiential Agency). Our votes counted for 50 percent of the tabulation, while the audience's comprised of the rest.

Everyone at the party got to sample Friedlander's Autumnal Fire (made of Corzo anejo, Chrysanthemum honey liqueur, Yuzu sour, an egg white and garnished with sugar glazed and cinnamon dusted apple chips) and Schiller's Autumn Air (Bacardi eight-year rum, homemade heirloom apple, autumn spice liqueur, lime and bitters with a walnut emulsion). The judges also had to judge from two additional cocktails the bartenders had to create on the spot from ingredients that were only disclosed moments before in front of the audience.

It was a good thing this additional challenge happened because it turned out the popular vote was dead even at 88 to 88. And at least three out of four of the judges picked Schiller over Friedlander because he ran out of ingredients for his cocktail, which dramatically changed its overall taste.

But Friedlander's got a bright future as he'll be moving over to red-hot Gilt when it opens in January. He'll oversee the mixology program.

Schiller's keeping busy as well, as he'll be in charge of the drinks program at The Drunken Goat—the West Loop spot from Stephanie Izard, Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz.

More Chef-Related Drama (Blind Item!) . . .

This week has had more drama than an entire season of Real Housewives of Atlanta. This missive dropped in the 312DD inbox about a chef who never got paid for his/her services at a very popular Chicago restaurant:

"I want to let you know that [Chef A] left [Restaurant] because he/she wasn't paid for his/her time there. Unlike [Chef B], this chef was not a partner who was paid (or supposed to be) by profits; Instead, he/she was promised a bi-monthly salary that was never met. He/she chose to leave because he did not pay him/her or show any promise of paying him/her. [Owner] has owed [Chef A] a large amount of money for over 5 months. He also owes several purveyors, many cooks, and most of the FOH staff money.

I think people should be aware of what is really going on at [Restaurant], however, please keep me anonymous."

Burgers, Booze and Benefits . . .

DMK Burger Bar's "No. 4" (roasted hatch green chile, fried farm egg, Sonoma Jack cheese, smoked bacon) paired with sweet potato fries. (Photo: Ben Reid/FoodieRegistry.com)


DMK Burger Bar is now open.

That's the latest collaboration between longtime buddies and biz partners David Morton (Morton's Steakhouse) and Michael Kornick (MK), who're also behind the powerhouse N9NE restaurants in Chicago and Vegas.

On its second night Wednesday, the rockin' burger joint was definitely jammed packed with neighborhood types who are probably grateful to have something like this in close proximity. You'll find 12 grass-fed and naturally raised burgers on the menu, and we tried to order damn near everything because they're all eight bucks.

Big winners were the No. 1 (aged Cheddar, smoked bacon, charred balsamic red onions, Rufus Teague’s BBQ sauce), No. 3 (NY pastrami, Grand Cru Gruyere cheese, sauerkraut, Leroy’s remoulade), No. 4 (roasted hatch green chile, fried farm egg, Sonoma Jack cheese, smoked bacon) and the No. 10 (grass-fed lamb, sheep’s milk feta, olive tapenade, tomato & onion salad, tzatziki)—which came highly recommended by MK exec chef Erick Williams (who was working the line that night).

And then there were the milkshakes.

They were chocolatey, malted and so thick that we had to scoop up all that goodness with spoons . . .

Speaking of scoops, you know 312DD's got you covered when it comes to the weekend:

THURSDAY

Get a head start on that holiday shopping with the Women Helping Women benefit hosted by The Chicago Chapter of the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails ("Chicago LUPEC") and Maeve. More than 10 West Loop boutiques participate, where you'll get discounts on merchandise and comped classic cocktails and apps. A portion of proceeds benefits the Greenhouse Shelter for Women, and you can find the complete list of shops here. 5-9pm. Donations/tips.

While the girls will be shopping till they drop in the West Loop, guys will flock to Haberdash (1350 N. Wells St.) in Old Town for the Try Something On Event. Spend at least $100 and get a $50 savings toward purchases, plus you'll be treated to wine, beer and pizza. A portion of the proceeds benefits Big Love, Little Hearts. 6-9pm. No cover.

The third-annual Chill event benefits the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago. Taking place at LuxeHome at Merchandise Mart, the cocktail party includes tastings from some of our fave chefs, including Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Randy Zweiban (Province) and Roger Herring (Socca). Get tix here. 6-8:30pm. $85.

FRIDAY

A new Greek BYO opened in Lakeview this week, and in addition to classic items, Melanthios Greek Char House will definitely get major props for its weekend roasts of whole pigs and lamb. Yum.


NYC’s DJ Kiss spins at Angels & Kings on Saturday. (Photo: DJ Kiss)

SATURDAY

Discounted tix are still available for Pinot Days, occurring at Navy Pier. 1-5pm. $50.

A free wine-focused event goes down at the Goddess and Grocer in Bucktown, where author Jean Iversen will be on hand for a booksigning for BYOB Chicago. Get there early for samplings of her fave wine picks, plus apps. 2-4pm. No cover.

Sniff. Sniff. Tonight's the final night for Sonotheque, as the trendy West Town tavern has been sold to a New York entrepreneur. This last event will include performances by deep-house deejays Torin Edmond, Joe DePresser and Anthony Nicholson. 9pm-3am. Cover TBD.

DJ Kiss—New York's most glamorous spin star—returns for a late-night set at Angels & Kings. Look for her to rock the tables with soul, mashups, funk, hip-hop and of course, mad sex appeal. 11pm-5am. No cover.

SUNDAY

If you think weekend nights are nuts over at 33 Club, wait until their new brunch service catches on. Jerry Kleiner's latest sensation in Old Town now serves up heaving plates of whole wheat banana pancakes, Challah French toast and several omelet dishes each Saturday and Sunday. Oh, and since the game's on in the lounge, expect a solid singles scene. 10am-2pm.

MONDAY

Shift Drinks continues one of the city's most popular industry nights at Pops for Champagne. Guest bartenders this week are executive chef Sarah Stegner and mixologist Daniel Sviland from Prairie Grass Cafe. 9pm-2am. Free.

Guess Who'll Appear on 'Check, Please!' as a Guest Reviewer?!

Just got a tip from an Ultimate Insider that NBC-5 weather anchor Ginger Zee will be on Friday's Check, Please! with the fabulous host Alpana Singh.

They'll be reviewing Chaise Lounge in Bucktown, Veerasway in the West Loop, and Port Edward in Algonquin, Ill.

The show airs 8pm Friday.

Update on Gilt—Set to Open Early 2010

Look for this space, the former home to Aigre Doux, to dramatically change come January when it becomes Gilt.


An Ultimate Insider just dropped this in the 312DD inbox on Gilt, which we first introduced to you in October:

"The space is still being built out, but the floor plan will be huge. The area on the left side of the picture on your site is all open now and will have additional seating, giving a much wider feel to the restaurant.

"There is a very large and interesting light fixture that is full of tendrils with seperate lights in the middle of the space still to be hung. ... The focus top to bottom is value and good food. Entrees at or under $20 and a tight, focused wine list, along with good, inexpensive beers. There was more talk as well of charcuterie - these folks seem really excited to hang there own cured meats and I can't wait to try it. One of the guys responsible for that was the charcuterie person at L20, I am told."

Opening date is still up in the air for Brendan Sodikoff's spot, but we're still hearing January.

Yet Another Dining Bombshell on a Very Busy Day!

Dale Levitski is the new executive chef of Sprout. (Photo: Ellen Malloy)


It's been a busy day in the dining world of Chicago.

The latest news to hit the Twitterverse this afternoon is that former Top Chef cheftestant Dale Levitski has now landed at Sprout, which just opened last week.

Here's what to expect on the menu, according to GrubStreet, but now that Levitski's in, we expect most items to change immediately except the so-called "deconstructed" burger.

This also makes us wonder: Is Levitski's Town & Country project now dead in the water?!

Lights Out for Sonotheque . . .

(Photo: Sonotheque)


We'd been hearing the rumors for a year, but Time Out confirms that hipster hangout Sonotheque will shutter on Nov. 15.

Paul Devitt, who's behind the Beauty Bar franchises in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Vegas, takes over as owner.

End of an effing era.

Big Star vs. Xoco!

Tacos from Big Star (Photo: Grant Kessler)

Rick Bayless tweeted Saturday that his casual Mexican eatery, Xoco, served more than 1,000 diners that day.

The River North resto's been mad busy since debuting in early fall, but now that Paul Kahan's Big Star has opened in Wicker Park, will the lines continue to snarl around the block?!

Both celeb chefs have put their unique spins on these ventures, and even though they're both Mexican focused, that's where the similarities end. In the end, it all depends on what you're looking for:

Early birds will continue to flock to Xoco simply because it opens at 7am Tuesday-Saturday. Plus, they serve a number of Mexican-accented hot chocolate and coffee drinks.


Caldos at Xoco. (Photo: Rick Bayless)


Big Star, on the other hand, will be the destination for late-night revelers as the kitchen stays open until 2am. They're also planning to feature occasional live music acts and deejays from sister spot Danny's Tavern.

On the food frontier, Xoco's menu offers an expansive menu of culinary bites, from breakfast goodies (vanilla sour cream coffeecake!) to tortas, caldos and desserts. Big Star's menu is very streamlined, only offering a short list of specialty tacos, chips and salsa, and the very mouthwatering paletas, or Mexican creamsicles.

And finally, while you'll be able to kick back with wine and Mexican beer at Xoco, Big Star's taking its cocktail program to another level. The Violet Hour's Michael Rubel has put together a list of all-American whiskies, small-batch tequilas, American beers and regional sodas.

A selection of straightforward cocktails is available as well, but as Rubel says, "It's not about the cocktails. It's about the spirits."