Cool Things To Do On Dad's Big Day . . .

McGee's "Classic Car Brunch" in 2008. (Photo: Freddy Love)

I had a rad dad.

He was the type of guy who'd lock himself in his basement art studio for hours listening to Miles Davis and sipping on scotch as he painted African-inspired artwork or penned radical poetry. He'd design the biggest and best kite on the block and then take my brother and me to the park to test it out. Or he'd sneak off and bring back new pets—much to Mom's chagrin—ranging from baby sharks to hamsters to an exotic talking bird.

Now Dad wasn't the type of guy you'd take to a run-of-the-mill brunch on his special day, so we had to be creative every year or we'd bore him to death. So naturally I always keep that in mind when people ask me where they should take their dads (or significant others, etc.) on Father's Day.

Paul Kahan Gets Knives Past TSA at O'Hare!

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)

I'm still in awe of how Blackbird head honcho Paul Kahan got past TSA Monday with a bunch of sharp objects. He tweeted:

"Flew outta O'Hare today. Forgot I had four huge chefs knives in carry on bag. Got patted down for wallet. Knives went through."

I mean, we all know who he is and that he's not a potential threat to anyone on the airline, but the fact that he got FOUR large-ass kitchen knives past security without even a beep is scary, no?!

GT Fish & Oyster Launches Lunch & More Openings

Gnocchi with Black Squid Ink, Carrot Lobster Broth, Prawns and Fava Beans at GT Fish & Oyster (Photo via Krebs' Foodspotting page)

This is exciting news for those who work in the River North area.

GT Fish & Oyster's lunch program starts Monday. Now you don't have to wait until 4pm to dig into the luscious lobster roll, various seafood pasta dishes and mussels.

Unfortunately for the first week or so, the entire food menu won't be available, but if you're going for a liquid lunch, you'll be able to order all the cocktails.

Sip 'n' Shop with Adam Seger Drinks at Whole Foods

(Photos: Adam Seger)

Well, this makes perfect sense.

Top mixologist Adam Seger's hella obsessed with using fresh and local ingredients in his cocktails, so he must be like a kid in a candy store at Lincoln Park's biggest Whole Foods Market, where he's in charge of designing their new alcoholic beverage program.

In addition to having access to all the produce in the store, he'll also use spirits from local distilleries like North Shore Gin No. 6, Koval Rye Chicago, hum Botanical Spirit, Koval Chrysanthemum-Honey Liqueur, Death's Door Organic Vodka and Templeton Rye.

The new menu launches this weekend, so if you're there shopping, you should check it out. There's nothing like stumbling through the grocery store with a cart in one hand and cocktail in the other.

Here's the list created by Seger and hum Ambassador and Advanced Mixologist Jenny Kessler:

Sola Goes All Out To Help Employee in Need

Sola's Carol Wallack with Jason Skorup. (Photo: sola)

Jason Skorup—a friendly, yet towering presence known for charming guests at sola—has fallen on hard times due to an illness that's left him with mounting medical bills.

And while he's moved back to his native San Diego, his colleagues at the delightful North Center restaurant have not forgotten about him. Owner/chef Carol Wallack has come up with two ways to help him by creating a cocktail in Skorup's honor as well as a fundraiser.

Perennial Virant Brunch Debuts This Weekend . . .

Perennial Virant Pastry Chef Kady Yon makes sticky buns for new brunch menu. (Photo: Kevin Boehm)

Kevin Boehm, co-owner of Boka Restaurant Group's Perennial Virant, went a little nuts on Twitter Wednesday, as he tweeted a bunch of photos of dishes to expect on the new brunch menu.

Some of the highlights we're looking forward to:

Put An End to 'Flash Mob Muggings' NOW

These so-called "flash mob muggings" that have happened in the Loop and Near North Side in recent days have everyone on edge because of their violent nature and sophisticated misuse of social media.

And with the attacks happening in prominent areas frequented by tourists, diners and clubgoers (most of whom are carrying/wearing valuables), any one of us can easily become a victim.

These cowards are descending upon their victims in groups of 15 or 20, beating and robbing them. And while I'm certain the Chicago Police Department is on the case, and is doing everything they can at the moment, we must also be proactive so that we do not also become victims.

Chef Chides Resto Over Bad Service

Ryan Poli of Tavernita.

What happens in this day and age when a chef has a bad experience at another restaurant?! He blogs about it, of course.

Such was especially the case when Tavernita's Ryan Poli (who's also set to compete this summer on Bravo's Rocco's Dinner Party) took to his tumblr to express his thoughts on a not-so positive experience at dinner Monday: