Something To Hop About . . .

Those into the beer scene will appreciate these events pairing suds with supper (or brunch):

Lincoln Park newcomer 2 Sparrows has already garnered rave reviews for breakfast and lunch, so now they're delving into dinner with the launch of a monthly beer series.

The plan is to highlight prominent breweries throughout the Midwest, and pairing the beers with seasonal and locally sourced dishes from Executive Chef Gregory Ellis. The event debuts Dec. 9 with Finch's Beer Co., with reps from the Chicago-based small-batch brewery on hand to co-host the evening. The event is $60 per person, and reservations can be made at 6, 6:30 and 7pm.

Here's what guests will get:

Country pate and pork rilette (paired with Finch's Cutthroat Pale Ale)

Scallop with crispy pig trotter (Finch's Golden Wing Blond Ale)

Porchetta with a Sunny-Side Egg (Finch's Threadless IPA)

Malted Crepes with blueberry mascarpone (Finch's Smoked Honey Dunkelweiss)

Two more events you don't want to miss:

Big Star vs. Perennial Virant!

Big Star's "Justin Cased" hot dog is on the menu at Franks 'n' Dawgs through November. (Photo: Big Star)

Even more big news for Big Star.

The red-hot taco spot's going head-to-head with Perennial Virant this month in Franks 'n' Dawgs' Iron Dawg Competition. Each restaurant's executive chef has created a signature hot dog, and the one that sells best wins bragging rights.

Happy Anniversary, Big Star!

Tacos from Big Star (Photo: Grant Kessler)

They've got a solid taco menu, dirt-cheap whiskey shots and Honky Tonk tunes to get that head nodding.

That'll be Big Star, which celebrates its second anniversary Wednesday with a blow-out bash.

For the occasion, Three Floyds takes over all the taps, and will feature all their products including the hard-to-get Zombie Dust. Other deals include $2 shots, $2 tacos and a t-shirt designed by artist Tony Fitzpatrick. Oh yeah. Somehow they're squeezing deejays in the mix.

My advice: Get there early . . .

Have a Stress-Free Holiday

If you're like me, you absolutely love holidays like Thanksgiving, but you don't love the idea of cleaning up.

Now, if you're lucky, you'll manage to get yourself invited to someone's house who doesn't mind the cooking and cleaning, but you still have to bring something. That's why I decided to add a few tips on some of the best spots to pick up an item or two.

Or, if you decide to dine out at one of the many restaurants actually open on Turkey Day, I've got you covered there, too.

'Bartender of the Year' Poll Turns Ugly

Eater Chicago launched its second-annual Eater Awards Monday, and boy did it get ugly this time around in the comments section.

Things were pretty routine in categories like Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year, but when the poll for Bartender of the Year went live, the comments were so nasty and personal that Eater editor Ari Bendersky had to shut them down in less than 24 hours.

The issue, according to many of the commenters who work in the industry, was that they felt that some of Chicago's best bartenders had been snubbed. Of note were Paul McGee (The Whistler), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Matty Eggleston (Perennial Virant) and Ben Schiller (Boka Restaurant Group)—who actually won last year's contest.

There was also strong opposition against a few of the bartenders who made the list, but hey, it's Eater's poll so they can pick whomever they want.

Who Makes The Best Manhattan in Town?!

Anyone who knows me well knows that you'll make me happy if you put a well-crafted Manhattan in front of me.

That's why I'm bummed that I'll miss the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience going down 7pm Monday at Quay.

Guests (it's open to the public for free; RSVP here) will be treated to expertly prepared Manhattans created by some of Chicago's top bartenders, including the likes of Drew Goss (West Town Tavern), Tim Williams (Pour Souls) and Kris von Dopek (Duchamp). But these guys aren't just doing it for fun; they're competing for the chance to go up against a number of mixologists from across the country at the finals in New York.

Padma Recaps 'Top Chef,' More

"Top Chef" judges Tom Colicchio (from left), Padma Lakshmi and Hugh Acheson. (Photo: Bravo)

Other than aria's Beverly Kim joining the five other Chicago chefs as one of the official competitors on Top Chef Texas (whew! and yay!), the second episode was pretty uneventful for our homeboys and girls.

But here's a recap from the show's host/judge Padma Lakshmi, who also tells the chefs about the next challenge that has to do with Mother Effin' Snakes . . .

Hot Chef News You Can Use

Chefs Curtis Duffy (left) and Takashi Yagihashi.

This may sound like a minor thing to you, but when you're a chef with as much clout as former Avenues chef de cuisine Curtis Duffy, it's pretty major.

He tells 312DD that after four grueling months, he's finally settled on a chair for his new restaurant that's scheduled to open in the West Loop next spring. That's right, a chair.

The award-winning toque wouldn't divulge details, but if it took this long to find one, that means it's going to be one helluva chair. He's getting 90 of them custom made, which means they will be ready by the time the restaurant debuts.

Duffy's still keeping a tight lid on the restaurant's name and location, and says that he'll be ready to make a big announcement right after Thanksgiving.