An Absolut-ly 'Berri' Good Time

(Photo: Francis Son Photography)


What happens when you put Chicago's hottest nightlife insiders in a mega-sized room with free booze?! Madness, I tell you, madness.

Absolut Berri Açaí launched this week to much fanfare at a party at the W Hotel City Center, and we were on the scene to catch all the action.

Check out the slideshow here; maybe you'll spot yourself!

Plea: Bring This To Chicago!

(Photo: The Meatball Shop)


There have been many concepts that have done well (Five Guys, Berry Chill), while others never stood a chance (Cereality, Lunch Rolls), but there is one I am definitely rooting for to make its way to the Windy City.

The Meatball Shop just opened in New York, and what's not to love about it?! It's all meatballs all the time in a sleek setting that would definitely attract a clubby crowd.

The menu makes me want to book the next flight out to LaGuardia. First you choose your "balls," locally sourced ingredients that include spicy pork, classic beef, salmon, vegetarian and a weekly special. Then you pick your sauce; choose from spicy meat sauce, classic tomato, mushroom gravy and Parmesan cream. Then pair them up with freshly milled polenta, risotto or mashed potatoes for a hearty meal or tuck them in buns for a Slider or Hero sandwich.

Look, I'm making my plea, so someone, anyone make this happen in Chicago!

Your Official First Look Inside Gilt Bar!

(Photo: Natasha Hernandez)


Our pals over at NBCChicago.com got a first-look inside Gilt Bar with video and this awesome slideshow.

The best part?! Owner Brendan Sodikoff on camera for the first time talking about his highly anticipated spot: "The concept is basically taking the best of fine dining and giving it to people in a much more casual and fun environment. Everyone's tired of the high prices and wants great drinks, great beer, and good food, so that's what we're doing."

It opens officially to the public on Friday.

What Will Happen To Old Tsunami Space?!

Former Tsunami owner Steve Song has moved on to open Masu Sushi in Lincoln Park, so everyone's wondering what's going to happen in that prime Gold Coast real estate he left behind.

Some media outlets had been speculating for months that Table Fifty-Two's Art Smith was planning to expand his upscale Southern celebrity haven (Just this week Table Fifty-Two attracted the likes of Jessica Simpson and Kirstie Alley) somewhere in the neighborhood, however, no one pointed at the Tsunami space.

Smith admitted to 312DD that there was going to be somewhat of an offshoot of his restaurant, but he is not the force behind it.

"The new restaurant is a creation of my investment partner, Fred Latsko," Smith says. "We are very excited about this fun BBQ concept that he is doing."

Who is Fred Latsko?! He just happens to be one of the most prominent commercial real-estate developers in the city, who was behind the new Barneys New York, Elysian Hotel as well as other major properties in Lincoln Park and Gold Coast.

According to this story in Crain's Chicago, the old Tsunami space at 1160 N. Dearborn St. is part of an 11-building portfolio that's been on the market for $46 million since June 2009.

We'll watch what happens . . .

Hope This Never Rolls Into Chicago!

(Photo: K! Pizzacone)


K! Pizzacone—specializing in pizza in cones—debuted in New York Wednesday to mixed reviews, and I can see why. Who the hell wants pizza grease and toppings dropping all over their clothing after the first bite?!

Gothamist reports that the concept was first popularized in Brazil, Portugal and Italy, so I guess it makes sense to launch it first in Manhattan in the United States.

Judging from the comments in the story, folks are not exactly crazy about it:

"I saw one of these on 5th and 34th. How exactly does it work? Won't cheese and shit pour out once you take a bite into the side of the cone?"

"There are many things that could be done to improve the quality of most of the pizza in NYC. This is not one of them."

"Ever since I heard about 'Cup o' Pizza' in the movie, 'The Jerk,' I always wondered why no one started one up. Now, 31 years later, the dream is reality."

But they did get at least one glowing review:

"My uncle and I tried this place on Friday because they were having a preview day to run out kinks and whatnot. I thought that it would just pour out once you take a bit, but it's not a crispy crust, it's softer than it looks. I enjoyed it, but it was expensive. I wish they had bigger ones because I would equate three of those to one actual slice of pizza. The amount of toppings they have is great though, and it tasted really fresh and not oily."

Whatever the case, we're sure it wouldn't get a warm reception in Chicago either. Hell, we're just now getting used to thin-crust pizza!

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do . . .

. . . but if "you've realized it's not you, it's her. So it's time to end it," says a cold-blooded Urban Daddy, which offers five spots to let them down gently.

For example, they've highlighted Uptown's low-key Tank Noodles:

"With all the glamour of your average Greyhound station, this corner restaurant is great if you're afraid there might be a scene: bright, bustling and with large tables to keep you and your soon-to-be ex literally at arm's length. Bonus: the non-native English speaking clientele may not be familiar with some of the more choice words that will be thrown your way."

Ooooooh, that's so harsh!

Jessica Simpson Loves Fried Chicken

On Tuesday, I got the scoop that Michael Jordan had lunch at Market.

Today's famous lunch bunchers were pop star Jessica Simpson "and her posse," who showed up at Table Fifty-Two when it was not even open, according to an awesome Ultimate Insider:

"My girl at Table 52 just told me that the staff was told last minute today that Jessica Simpson was coming in for lunch (they weren't even open for lunch yet) with her posse. She wanted fried chicken and they don't even have it on the menu today! LOL. Sous chefs and all were running into work early to get the food ready. Now Kirstie Alley is there filming her reality show."

Kirstie Alley and Jessica Simpson in the same day?! Wow!

UPDATE: Apparently Table Fifty-Two owner/chef Art Smith was also excited because he wrote on his Facebook page later in the day:

"Wow, the eve before South Beach, and Jessica Simpson, calls me for lunch! She's gorgeous!!!!!!!! I am now entertaining Kristie Alley and posse, they are here shooting her new show for A and E. Lookout for my cameo!"

Chicago's Secret Party Loft . . .

A recent Mr. Topstep party at the "Monster Loft."


Gawker ran a story Tuesday about a New York restaurant industry vet whose Manhattan apartment is the hottest spot in town.

His parties attract the likes of high-profile types ranging from rock stars like Mick Jagger to socialites and media insiders from the New York Post, NBC and New York Times.

Naturally something so cool made me wonder if we had something like that going on in Chicago, so I put the word out on Twitter.

Immediately, a guy who goes by the Twitter handle [@redacted] reached out to tell me about his all-night fêtes, which apparently happen often.

"(I'm only gonna give) you the tip of the iceberg," he says, yet he gave me enough information to make me want to attend the next one.

According to the promoter, his last party cost $10,000, attracted at least 500 people, and featured a bottomless open bar and trampoline in the middle of the room.

If you don't believe me, peep the video here of the massive space before the party and the pictures here of one of their previous events.

Just one question: Where is my invite?!