Paris Club’s Sexy New Rooftop Lounge

Paris Club rooftop photo courtesy of Urban Daddy Chicago/Francis Son

Our friends over at Urban Daddy Chicago give us a first look at Paris Club's Studio Paris, the rooftop lounge opening tonight:

"Find the stairs behind the first-floor DJ booth, and climb them to enter what amounts to your average artists’ garret: studio lights, a retractable glass roof, potted palms, walls made of grass, roving in-house paparazzi, a DJ and buckets of champagne everywhere—everything you require to get into your creative head space."

And speaking of UD, the editors are up to no good Thursday night with a whiskey-drinking party down the street from Paris Club at Hubbard Inn.

Whoa. Watch What You Tweet!

Chef Phillip Foss and his Meatyballs Mobile truck. (Photo: The Pickled Tongue)

Meatyballs Mobile's Phillip Foss finally opens up about why he really got fired last year as exec chef at Lockwood.

Thank goodness his career didn't go up in smoke!

Celebrate Summer with Hot New Alfresco Spots

The spacious outdoor patio at South Branch in the Loop. (Photo: South Branch)

Today is the first official day of summer, which means it is time to get outside to drink and dine—if you haven't already indulged.

If you're at a loss, check out some of my picks for best new spots of 2011 at DiningChicago.com, including the Gold Coast's Cantina 46, Ukrainian Village's Roots Handmade Pizza and the Loop's South Branch.

'Food Lovers' Guide To Chicago' Debuts

(Photo: Globe Pequot Press)

Here's yet another dining guide for those of you who cannot get enough of what's going on with Chicago's ever-expanding scene.

Penned by seasoned journalist Jennifer Olvera, Food Lovers' Guide to Chicago checks into more than 800 restaurants, farmers' markets, food festivals, specialty food stores, watering holes and more, giving you an insider's view.

Quay Opens in Former De La Costa Space

Quay Restaurant & Bar is set to open in the space formerly occupied by De La Costa in mid-July. (Photo: De La Costa)

Last summer, I got word from an Ultimate Insider about a new project going into the old De La Costa space.

Now it's finally happening as Quay Restaurant & Bar is set to open in the long-abandoned venue in July.

Blind Item Guessing Game!

So this is pretty shocking news . . .

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that a popular Asian-inspired restaurant in the West Loop will close in about a month.

Apparently it has nothing to do with finances—because the spot is packed daily—but some legal issues have come to a head. But you know what?! Every project eventually runs its course anyway, and the partners are already working on the next chapter, which is supposed to be hot.

Stay tuned . . .

Paella on Parade . . .

This sounds like one hell of a yummy time!

Chicagoist has the scoop on El Coto de Rioja's Paella Parade, as a number of local restos go head to head in a friendly competition to determine who makes the Spanish dish best. Latin- and Spanish-inspired spots like Carnivale, Emilio's Tapas, Province and Socca are set to compete, so you know this will be a good time.

Checking Out Mixologist's 'Bar Aid Project'

Logan Lavachek of Duchamp Chicago. (Photo: Logan Lavachek)

In early May, 312DD introduced you to Logan Lavachek's Bar Aid Project, a cocktail-focused blog tracking her progress recreating 80 classic alcoholic beverages.

And this week, on WCIU-TV's You & Me This Morning, we caught up with Duchamp's ace mixologist to actually make some of the spirited sippers.

Here's the video!