You're Going To Have To Wait A Little Bit Longer For Three Dots and a Dash's Debut

Paul McGee photo via This Is A Cocktail Blog

While the Melman-produced Bub City has been churning along nicely for about a month, fans of the lower-level, high-concept tiki lounge Three Dots and a Dash are going to have to wait just a little bit longer.

The Paul McGee project has had a few setbacks, including suffering a bit from a fire a few weeks back at Dragon Ranch (which is still closed by the way).

A Collection Of Tasty Bites For Super Bowl

Art Smith photo courtesy of Abe's Market/Tim Hiatt

I never believed for one second that there was going to be a shortage of chicken wings during the Super Bowl.

But even though the rumor's been put to rest, it should serve as a wake-up call that we need to step outside our comfort zone when it comes to game day dishes.

Of course that's a pretty tall order to expect you to create some unique bites for your guests, so we consulted with some local experts to help you in that department.

From Art Smith's tasty turkey chili nachos to a new spin on Oysters Rockefeller, here are some trophy-worthy treats certain to please everyone. We've even included a couple of potent punches!

Grace Restaurant Hosts A Star-Studded 'Chef Social'

Grace chef Curtis Duffy hanging with EL Ideas chef Phillip Foss. (Photo via GrubStreet Chicago/Huge Galdones Photography)

There was a party Sunday night at Grace.

But this wasn't just any party. it was the Chef Social for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual Grand Chefs Gala. The Jean Banchet awards, which honors local culinary stars, are a big part of the black-tie event. The Chef Social is when the industry elite gets together and casts votes in categories such as Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Best New Restaurant and Best Mixologist.

Michael McDonald Landed at Gold Coast Hot Spot Luxbar--Eight Months Ago

Photo via Time Out Chicago

The mad talented Michael McDonald—the chef, not the singer—was ousted from one sixty blue a year ago as it made its transition to belly Q. We hadn't heard from him since until Thursday when we ran into him at Luxbar.

McDonald tells 312DD that he's been the popular Gold Coast restaurant's executive chef for about eight months, but he wanted to play it low key and work on the menus behind the scenes.

Luxbar, which is owned by the group behind Gibsons, Hugo's Frog Bar, Quartino and RL, is quite the transition for the classically trained, fine-dining chef whose resume boasts high-profile positions at Everest, Restaurant Charlie Trotter (Las Vegas), a couple of Four Seasons properties, and Nobu at the Shore Club Hotel in Miami.

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

Don't let the cold weather slow you down . . .

• One way to fight off the chill is to attend Red Door's fundraiser featuring the city's coolest chefs in a chili cook-off. The event benefits the Chicken Freedom Project, an initiative by Slagel Family Farms to purchase and convert an existing five-acre commercial, caged chicken and egg facility into a cage-free, old-fashioned farm operation in Central Illinois. Participating chefs include Red Door's Troy Graves, plus John Manion (La Sirena Clandestina), Eric Mansavage (Farmhouse), Enoch Simpson (endgrain), Mark Steuer (Carriage House) and Matt Troost (Three Aces). Tickets are $25, includes food and one Olmeca Altos cocktail, and may be purchased here. 6pm Jan. 28 and Yours Truly is the Special Guest Judge.

• A bunch of Chicago bartenders are going to Occupy NYC this weekend in what they're calling 24 Bartenders, 24 Hours. Their sked is absolutely hectic with a boozy brunch, Skeeball tournament, tattoo sessions, karaoke and more. There's a charity attached to the madness; they're raising $$$ for the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. In on the fun are organizers Daniel de Oliveira (Olmeca Altos) and Sergio Serna (The Drawing Room), plus Charles Joly (The Aviary), Josh Pearson (Sepia), Mea Leech (belly Q) and Paul Sauter (Double A). I guess it's going to be pretty difficult getting a drink around town Sunday night!

First-Ever Bang Bang Pie Shop Baking Class Sells Out In Less Than 20 Minutes

Bang Bang Pie Shop's Lavender Coconut Cream Pie. (Photo via instagr.am.)

I take it that folks really like pie because when Logan Square's Bang Bang Pie Shop announced Tuesday on Twitter that tickets were on sale for its first-ever hands-on pie class, they were gone before you could blink. The event is $60 and happens at 7pm Feb. 4.

Here's what you will miss out on:

Former Mercadito, Trenchermen 'Tender Sets Up Shop At Upcoming Takito Kitchen In Wicker Park

Adam Weber of the forthcoming Takito Kitchen. (Photos: Takito Kitchen)

More modern tacos come to Wicker Park to compete with stalwarts Big Star and Antique Taco with the arrival of Takito Kitchen in March.

In addition to these tacos (they're keeping the magic under wraps for now), the owners plan to unveil a serious mixology program with Adam Weber behind the stick. He previously worked at Mercadito and Trenchermen.

Here's an exclusive, first look at some of Weber's innovative new cocktails:

Look Out For Big Changes On Frog N Snail's Menu

Frog N Snail's interior (Photo: Frog N Snail)

If you're going to make major changes to the menu, now is the time to do it—in the dead of winter.

At Frog N Snail, Top Chef alum Dale Levitski (he also owns Sprout in Lincoln Park) is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new dinner menu that debuts this weekend.