Lolla Brunching...Where To Dine This Weekend

Nellcôte's pancakes are made from its house-milled flour. (Photo: Nellcôte)

Before heading to Lolla this weekend for the music extravaganzas, you'll need to fuel up. But instead of hitting up the typical hotel brunches, why not give these spots a little local love?!

Nellcôte's recently launched Weekend Review prix-fixe brunch is $18 a person and includes an assortment of house-milled breads, pastries, cheeses and house-made charcuterie. Guests also get to choose one entree, such as lobster hash with poached eggs, quiche Lorraine with smoked bacon or pancakes with seasonal fruit. Kitchen-inspired cocktails include Verde Maria (a unique blend of El Milagro tequila, cilantro, tomatillo, green apple and jalapeño) and the Nellcôte Bellini (raspberry jam, peach nectar and Champagne). Tables with at least four diners get a complimentary bottle of prosecco. Deejays spin rock 'n' roll, so get ready for a party atmosphere. 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday.

A brunch fave at 25 Degrees is the Banana Pecan French Toast. It's $10, and for an extra $15 you can add a bottomless Mimosa or Bloody Mary experience. Additional brunch cocktails: Kentucky Brunch (A-1 rye, apricot marmalade, peach bitters) and Spiced Cucumber Collins (Henrick's gin, lime, shishito pepper, cucumber, mint).

The Inside Track To Elizabeth—Fall's Hottest Restaurant

Shrimp noodle scampi, one of the new items set for Elizabeth's menu. (Photos: Jennifer Moran)

"I have a feeling that this will be up there with openings like Schwa and Alinea, as well as Noma (in Denmark)," said Scott Noorman of the forthcoming Elizabeth that's set to open in Lincoln Square in mid-September.

"In fact, I would say it's a melding of those three concepts," Noorman, who will act as wine director, added.

Elizabeth is owned by chef Iliana Regan, who used to do some pretty popular underground dinners at her North Side home. According to Noorman, she is adamant about foraging, and will use those products in her cuisine as well as produce from an onsite garden. Yes, in a sense it will be a farm-to-table concept, however, the most fascinating aspect of this new eatery will be its ticketing system that will be highly synchronized.

Freebie Alert: Three Star Chefs Let It 'Whip'

Culinary stars Andrew Brochu (from left), Heather Terhune and David Beran (David Beran photo via Time Out Chicago)

Miracle Whip—that's right, the delicious, mayo-like stuff—hooks up with three local culinary stars for a food truck event that you don't want to miss.

They've teamed up with David Beran (Next), Andrew Brochu (graham elliot) and Heather Terhune (Sable Kitchen & Bar) to roll around town next week in the Miracle Whip. For three days, they'll create original recipes using Miracle Whip as the key ingredient. All dishes will be complimentary, but they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here's the schedule:

Is Grass Fed The New Black Sheep?!

Grass Fed interior (Photo: Grass Fed)

An Ultimate Insider contacted 312DD Thursday with some curious information that the newly opened Bucktown steakhouse Grass Fed may already be in trouble.

"I'm hearing the entire staff walked out, including the chef," he said.

Now, this is a restaurant that just opened on July 21. This story is starting to sound like the saga of the ill-fated Black Sheep.

Of course I made several calls to the restaurant for comment, but weirdly there was a constant busy signal, so I couldn't get through.

UPDATE: Here's a statement from owner Scott Kay:

L20's New Burger Hits R.J. Grunts' Menu

Chef Matthew Kirkley's "Star Burger" is now on the menu at R.J. Grunts. (Photo: LEYE)

This is so wild because I was just discussing the idea of high-profile Lettuce chefs coming up with gourmet burgers just the other day!

Apparently, L20 hot shot Matthew Kirkley has collaborated with sister restaurant—and iconic burger joint—R.J. Grunts for a new gourmet burger.

Tru's Levitating Dish, Monkey Business & More

This amuse of house-made potato crisp, crème fraîche and reserve Kaluga caviar from Tru really is levitating. (Photos: Tru)

When Tru Executive Chef Anthony Martin first told me about a so-called "levitating" caviar dish he recently created for the restaurant's latest menu, I gave him some serious side eye. It just didn't seem possible.

So I had to go see for myself. That dish, an amuse of house-made potato crisp, crème fraîche and reserve Kaluga caviar, miraculously and momentarily floated in the air and set the pace for the next 14 plates to come.

"It's kind of an out-of-this-world (experience)," said Martin to his astonished staff in this amazing video (set to the music of rap star Lil' Wayne) of the dish in action. Alas, he'll only divulge this little tidbit about the magic: magnets, polarity and temperature. I actually don't blame him!


The "naturally inspired" collection of "Array of River Salmon."

Martin came to Tru almost four years ago to work as a sous chef and was groomed to take over as executive chef/partner in late 2009. Previously, he worked at the three-starred Michelin rated Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas.

This is a chef who is quickly coming into his own, and he credits much of that influence to the time he clocked at Robuchon. "I learned many techniques that have helped shaped my menus today," he said.

In his current and upcoming menus, Martin showcases a little gimmicky flavor as with Levitation, but his biggest goal is to wow his customers with dishes that actually taste good.

Now This Looks Really Fun . . .

This should hold us off as we continue to wait with bated breath for that still unnamed Melman tiki-lounge concept in River North.

Kitsch'n On Roscoe is doing a tiki-themed, pop-up event—for one night only—6-11pm August 2. This is part of a new series of events they're doing to promo the new private menu options.

For the occasion, they're going all out with a $25 three-course, prix-fixe menu, Polynesian-themed cocktails, exotica-type music and a decor blown out in full tiki theme. Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited.

Here's what to expect on the menu:

Get A Sneak Preview of BellyQ Saturday!

Yvonne Cadiz Kim and Bill Kim of BellyQ.

Chef Bill Kim and his wife, Yvonne Cadiz Kim, are one step closer to opening the West Loop's next sensation, Belly Q, in the old onesixty blue space.

To generate a little buzz, they're doing a complimentary tasting noon-2pm Saturday at FoodEase, in Water Tower Place. Guests will get a taste of what's to come: Asian barbecue and seasonal, locally farmed ingredients.