The Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel Believes Blackbird Deserves Two Michelin Stars, Plus More Predictions

Blackbird exterior via Taste with the Eyes.

"I've argued for two years that Blackbird's one-star rating is too low; perhaps this will be the year Blackbird moves up," Vettel writes about the venerable West Loop hot spot.

The 2013 edition of the Michelin Chicago guide comes out Nov. 14, so we will just have to wait and see, but these predictions are always fun to read.

Will.I.Am, Russell Simmons, Obama Staffers Party Into Wee Hours On Election Night at Primebar

Too bad I couldn't get a photo!

President Obama campaign staffers and a host of celebs that included Russell Simmons, Will.I.Am and former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams partied hard at Primebar following the president's election night speech at McCormick Place.

Celebrity DJ Cassidy spun the tunes as the likes of Valerie Jarrett and Obama's former right hand man, Reggie Love, finally got the opportunity to blow off some steam on the dance floor. The party went until 3:30am as guests celebrated with champagne and hors d'ouevres.

The Prez and First Lady were nowhere in sight . . .

Charlie Trotter’s, Glazed & Infused Pastry Vet Christine McCabe Breaks Out On Her Own

Pastry photos via InterUrban

Our friends at Urban Daddy Chicago have uncovered a secret walk-up window café located in a Lincoln Park alley from a Trotter's pastry alum.

Christine McCabe was also the opening chef for the Glazed and Infused doughnut shop, but you won't find any of those on her new menu at Interurban Cafe & Pastry Shop. Instead, you'll find tasty items like vanilla-cranberry scones, fruit-infused granola bars, red velvet "cake bites," and cupcakes in every flavor.

Michelin Guide Reveals Chicago's 2013 Bib Gourmands

Au Cheval made Michelin's Bib Gourmand list along with 19 new restaurants. (Photo: Au Cheval)

Eater Chicago has the scoop on Michelin Chicago's 2013 Bib Gourmands (defined as two courses and wine or dessert for $40 a head), which includes 19 new restaurants.

New to the list include Au Cheval, City Tavern and Storefront Company. I'm a little shocked, however, that City Tavern made the list, considering the fact the South Loop restaurant recently experienced some turmoil with the dismissal of chef Kendal Duque . . .

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town

Tru partner/executive chef Anthony Martin (Photo: Anthony Martin)

All is right in the universe . . .

• Peep a host of hot new fall dishes from Tru's Anthony Martin on YouTube.

• Indulge in chef-driven fried chicken from the likes of Bill Kim (bellyQ), Takashi Yagihashi (Slurping Turtle) and Matthias Merges (Yusho).

• The U.S. Bartenders Guild of Illinois' Hurricane Sandy benefit at Salud Monday raised $8,011.92. WOW. The money will go to the U.S. Bartenders Guild of New York, who will put the money to good use.

• GT Fish & Oyster's Giuseppe Tentori launches brunch on Nov. 17 with tasty items like Biscuits and Lobster Gravy and crab Benedict. We're also looking forward to the French toast from his talented pastry chef, Sarah Jordan. It'll be crafted with key lime, grapefruit and mascarpone.

Sunday Dinners Are The New Brunch

Vera's lobster paella is only available on Sunday. (Photo: Vera)

I am so over brunch.

It should be stress free, yet the long waits, screaming babies, and impatient and sometimes rude crowds can ruin what should have been a pleasant outing.

That's why we're all about Sunday dinners. By evening, people are calm and back to being civilized. Plus, it's an opportunity to catch some of the best deals of the week.

From Brasserie 54 by LM's new $25 prix-fixe French meal to Vera's lobster paella for two, we've gathered a host of fabulous feasts you don't want to pass up.

Jimmy Bannos Jr. Gets Big Honor From Food & Wine

So this is pretty sweet.

The Purple Pig's Jimmy Bannos Jr. is the only Chicago chef to be honored in Food & Wine's newest cookbook, America's Greatest New Cooks.

The tome features 12 up-and-coming culinary stars from around the country, with 100 recipes and photos of dishes from red-hot Mexican cuisine to ingredient-obsessed Italian food. The book is $32.95 and is available for sale right here.

Here's the cover:

Animal Tots, Foot-Long Grilled Cheese Highlights Of Menu At West Loop Newcomer Park Tavern

Park Tavern's foot-long grilled cheese (Photo: Park Tavern)

OMG.

Just in time for late fall, Park Tavern opens with a menu that's ideal for cold-weather noshing.

The sports bar upgrades typical pub grub with twists on classics such as Animal Tots (pulled pork, cheese curds, grain mustard, fried egg, and Bell’s Kalamazoo gravy over tater tots) and a foot-long grilled cheese of cheddar, chihuahua, pepper jack, candied Applewood bacon and chipotle spread that's topped with two fried eggs on a baguette. More exciting offerings include the Little Jar of Jam (bacon jam, pickled cherries, brie and garlic toast), jalapeño-bacon mac, bacon doughnuts and an Ooey Gooey Butter Cake.