What Is Going On Over At Graham Elliot's?!

Just last month, Phil Vettel awarded Graham Elliot three stars in a Chicago Tribune review, so what's up with the turmoil behind the scenes?!

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that on Sunday afternoon some pretty intense disagreements between front of house and back of house had a few staffers walking out before service. They were so heated, in fact, that top management was called in to get matters back under control.

Charlie Trotter's, NoMI Alum Brings a Taste of Cameroon to the South Loop

Chef Alain Njike of Alain's Restaurant in the South Loop. (Photos: 312 Dining Diva)

So, 2012 is turning out to be quite a stellar one for Charlie Trotter's alums.

Former Trotter's Executive Chef Matthias Merges opened Yusho in the winter. Bill Kim debuted his third restaurant, belly Q, in late August. Graham Elliot opened G.E.B. also in the summer, and Curtis Duffy is set to open Grace later this fall.

Also tossing his hat into the ring of rock star spots is Alain Njike, who opened Alain's Restaurant in the South Loop in early August. But what sets Njike apart from the others is that he's bringing a cuisine to Chicago that's never been done before—particularly on an upscale level. His contemporary American menu is highly influenced by flavors from his homeland on Africa's West Coast.

Moto's Homaro Cantu Offers a Solution to the Chicago Teachers' Strike

Homaro Cantu (iNG/Moto) expressed his frustrations of the latest news on Chicago's striking teachers on Facebook Sunday.

But unlike most critics, the award-winning chef didn't just complain, he offered a number of viable solutions that he wants to put into action immediately.

The Full Schedule For Chicago Gourmet Now Online

ABC-7's Steve Dolinsky and celebrity chef Rick Bayless at "Chicago Gourmet" in 2011. (Photo: Illinois Restaurant Association)

Check out all the details, including live demonstrations, seminars, tastings, booksignings, etc. for Bon Appetit's annual Chicago Gourmet right here. It occurs Sept. 28-30.

Some highlights of what's new this year:

For Sure, THIS is the Best Tweet of the Week!

Ha ha!

This is hilarious.

If You're Not Going To Tip, Try Not To Be A COMPLETE Douchebag About It.

So, this happened Wednesday night at a popular Wicker Park watering hole.

NOT cool.

The Back Room Takes Over Le Passage Privet Space; A Few More Key Details

I wasn't too shocked to hear the news that Privet closed last weekend because it pretty much looked like the photo above every time I paid a visit.

But when word came down that the venerable Back Room was set to take over the vacated space on Oct. 4, I got pretty excited.

The legendary jazz-and-blues club is less than a block away from its new home, and will officially close on Sept. 24. This new home in the old Privet is particularly awesome because that venue carries a late-night license, which means new owners Three Headed Productions (The Drawing Room, Evil Olive, Salud) will have the option to stay open until 4am (5am on Saturdays!). Hopefully, they'll also keep the alley-only entrance because, you know, that just feels right when it comes to after-hours jazz and blues clubs (UPDATE: A press release states that a deejay will spin after 1am on weekends).

Here are even more reasons to get excited about this:

Some Very Rad Happenings Around Town

iNG owner/chef Homaro Cantu (center) with chefs Hugo Guadarrama (left) and Vince Griffith. (Photo: iNG)

Remember when I was gushing about that upcoming Scorsese-themed menu at iNG?! Well, it's finally here.

Sept. 18 marks the "premiere," and yes, that includes lights, cameras and a RED CARPET. Look for the menu to play off the food scenes from "Goodfellas," including this first course:

Sleeping With The Fishes: two-part course "Fish & Chips" of rock shrimp chips with dry aioli and smoked rock shrimp roulade, white truffle garlic aioli and gremolata seaweed

According to chef/owner Homaro Cantu, the menu will run about six weeks. It will include six courses for $80 and 10 courses for $100; both will be paired with beverages and include "flavor tripping."

"It is, by far, the most twisted thing I have ever done," Cantu says about the menu. "It will be a delicious experience."

To get a visual of what he's talking about, here's video of one of the dishes, the 9mm Tagellio, and also details on how you can win dinner for two for free.

Here are more rad happenings around town: