Notes From . . .

Master Mixologist Bridget Albert's "Smoking Jacket" cocktail was served at The Gage. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva/Additional Photos: Illinois Restaurant Association/Chicago Gourmet)

. . . Chicago's Culinary Crossroads Trolley Tour Kickoff.

• To celebrate the nations represented during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, the Illinois Restaurant Association hosts the first-ever Chicago's Culinary Crossroads May 1-25.

• The dine-around initiative includes more than 200 restaurants throughout Chicagoland that will feature special tasting menus, desserts, wine selections and cocktail creations inspired by the NATO nations.

• A select group of food journalists were invited to the Chicago's Culinary Crossroads Trolley Tour Kickoff and visited Mexique, Piccolo Sogno and The Gage.

• Chefs Carlos Gayta (Mexique), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno) and Dirk Flanigan (The Gage) were gracious hosts at each location.

A South Loop Bodega With Flavor

(Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

It's still very much a work in progress, but chef Efrain Cuevas—best known for putting on the monthly Clandestino Chicago Supper Club—is on his way to having a very cool bodega in the South Loop.

He took over the BYOB East Coast Pantry a few weeks ago, but look for him to change the name really soon. For now, however, he's completely revamped the menu, adding his own gourmet spin to the sandwiches.

What are some of the favorites?!

Little Goat Set To Open in the Fall

(Photo: Stephanie Izard)

It's been quiet on the homefront of Little Goat, Stephanie Izard's high-concept diner going into the former space for Red Light.

Originally scheduled to open this spring, and then in the summer, it is now set to open in mid-September.

That means you're just going to have to wait a little longer . . .

Hot Doug's Caters Doggie Benefit at Double Door

Hot Doug's photo via Complex

If you're a dog lover like Alpana Singh (The Boarding House), you'll want to get tickets for the Trio Animal Foundation's Rockin' For Rescue event taking place May 19 at Double Door.

The top sommelier/restaurateur serves as emcee for this benefit aiming to raise $$$ to help provide medical care and rehabilitation for animals in shelters. It's an annual event, and especially exciting this year is that Hot Doug's is doing all the catering—which means this is your chance to get his signature encased meats without standing in those long-ass lines.

Blackbird Debuts First-Ever Dessert Cocktail Menu

Blackbird mixologist Lynn House with The Violet Hour's Toby Maloney. (Photo: Speedrack)

Lynn House, the mega-talented mixologist at Blackbird, has taken the cocktail program to new heights since coming aboard in 2010.

And as she celebrates her second anniversary in May, she has some exciting projects on the horizon.

When chef/owner Paul Kahan hits up New York to find out if he'll snag a James Beard award for Outstanding Chef, House will also be there working with him at the annual gala. As Kahan cooks at one table, House will be slinging her signature Celluloid Breeze—the one she created for the Sundance Channel's Beyond the Bar Series. Assisting her will be Blackbird owners Donnie Madia, Rick Diarmat and Eduard Seitan.

Equally exciting is the restaurant's first-ever dessert cocktail menu, which debuts Tuesday.

"A little over a week ago, Paul had a chat with me about an experience he had while in Nashville. His 'bartendress' had crafted some wonderful after dinner libations, and it got him thinking that including after dinner 'tails would be a wonderful addition to the current cocktail program," House told 312DD exclusively. "I have been tinkering in my home bar for the past week, and have created five dessert libations. The goal was to make them clean, balanced, seasonal, unique and complementary to our phenomenal desserts, created by Bryce Caron."

Peep House's dessert cocktail menu below, with her tasting notes:

First Look at Boarding House Dishes

The Boarding House's lobster poutine. (Photo: The Boarding House)

On the same day Alpana Singh announced former Bistronomic chef Christian Gosselin as executive chef at The Boarding House, she released photos of two of his dishes.

According to Eater Chicago, the menu will "feature smaller plates ($6 to $12), medium plates ($12 to $18) and entrees ($22 to $30) with dishes like lobster poutine with a sauce Armoricaine; and shredded duck confit hash with red-wine-poached eggs, sauce Béarnaise and diced potatoes."

See another photo below of Gosselin's version of Deviled eggs:

Trenchermen Set To Open In May

Trenchermen chefs Patrick Sheerin (left) and Michael Sheerin. (Photo: via Grubstreet Chicago)

Here's a sign that the Sheerin Brothers are finally set to open their long-awaited Trenchermen in Bucktown.

312DD received over the weekend this invite for an "exclusive preview for friends and neighbors" at the restaurant.

It's gonna cost you though. VIP tix are $95 and general admission is $75. You'll at least get a menu tasting, cocktails and music by top Chicago deejay Madrid. It all goes down 6-9pm May 17.

Lupe Fiasco: Rap Star and Food Blogger?!

Yet another hip-hop star is getting into the dining game, but Chicago native Lupe Fiasco is penning his fondness for food instead of jumping into the restaurant biz.

On his current Australian tour, Fiasco's teaming up with the Food Republic for Lupe Fiasco Does Food Down Under Blog. It's actually pretty well written and in his latest entry, he gushes about Sydney's seafood: