Reality stars on a roll

Michael Laungani from "The Apprentice: Season 5"


They've already showcased their skills of brain and brawn on such high-rated shows as "The Apprentice," "Big Brother" and "Survivor." Now, they're testing just how creative they can be in the kitchen as they design new sushi rolls in order to raise money for a good cause.

Tonight, the Glenview RA Sushi hosts "RA Reality," and four reality television stars have transformed into top sushi chefs. The winning roll will then be available in December at all three Chicagoland RA Sushi locations (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard) with a to-be-determined percentage of the proceeds donated to the winning reality star's charity of choice.

James Rhine of season 6 of "Big Brother" aligned himself with Immerman Angels to create a roll called Big Angel; "Survivor Fiji's" Mookie Lee is benefiting his own charity Active Chicago with the Ravu Roll; while Season 5 "Apprentice" alum Michael Laungani has cooked up The Orchid on behalf of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois; and Jamie Murray of "The Real World New Orleans" developed the Uber Uber Roll for La Rabida Children's Hospital.

The reality stars' rolls will be judged by a panel of media insiders and guests in attendance on the most innovative name, ingredients, presentation, and most importantly the taste. The winning roll will then be featured on its own special menu with a photograph of the reality star who created it.

The event occurs tonight 5:30-7:30pm at the Glenview location, 2601 Aviator Lane, but you'll be able to get the winning roll at all locations: 1139 N. State St., 312-274-0011 in the city or at The Shops on Butterfield in the Yorktown Center, Lombard (310 Yorktown Center, 630-627-6800).


RECIPES:

Jamie Murray (The Real World: New Orleans)
Sushi Roll Name: Uber Uber Roll
Charity: La Rabida Children's Hospital
Recipe: Tuna, Avocado, Cucumber, Salmon, Cream Cheese, Sesame Seeds, Shrimp Tempura, Mayo, and Dash of Chalula Hot Sauce

Michael Laungani (The Apprentice, Season 5)
Sushi Roll Name: The Orchid
Charity: Make A Wish Foundation of Illinois
Recipe: Lobster, Yellowtail, Fresh strawberry, Cucumber, Avocado, Tempura Crunch, Mint, Light Wasabi Mayo

James Rhine (Big Brother, Season 6)
Sushi Roll Name: Big Angel Roll
Charity: Imerman Angels
Recipe: Tuna Avocado, Sliced Almonds, Topped with thin slices of strawberry, and drizzled with sweet eel sauce

Mookie Lee (Survivor Fiji)
Sushi Roll: Ravu Roll
Charity: Active Chicago
Recipe: White Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Unagi, Scallion, Avocado, Cucumber, Topped with tempura crunchies, and drizzled with eel sauce & wasabi mayo

A freebie for my friends

You can enjoy Citizen's heated tent lounge even as the temperature drops.


If you're missing those lazy summer afternoons spent on Citizen's (364 W. Erie St., 312-640-1156) spacious outdoor patio, have no fear. They're back. But this time, the patio's tented over for an all-weather outdoor dining experience so that you don't freeze your ass off as the temperatures drop.

Tonight, they're launching the new tent offering with a grand opening party starting at 7pm. Enjoy complimentary wine, beer and passed appetizers until 8. Then you can enjoy their new fall menu by candlelight.

Can't make that gig tonight? Check into these additional heated outdoor gardens around town:

Chaise Lounge: The rooftop bar is as swanky as the indoors downstairs lounge, complete with a deejay, full-service bar and cabana seating. 1840 W. North Ave., 773-342-1840.

Northside Bar & Grill: Ideal for brunching or hanging out right before you head out, this venerable outdoor patio is one of the best in town for lazy days or nights. 1635 N. Damen Ave., 773-384-3555.

Village Tap: Daily drink and dinner specials are just one of the reasons why area folks make this their home away from home. 2055 W. Roscoe St., 773-883-0817.

Volo: Discover their revamped loungy backyard garden where you can enjoy a glass or bottle of great vino. 2008 W. Roscoe St., 773-348-4600.

Deal of the day . . .

What would we do without all the countless servers, bartenders, hostesses and other service-industry folks making our dining and nightlife experiences enjoyable?

The staff over at Relax Lounge (1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-666-6006) hosts a Wednesday night industry appreciation party where you can personally thank them as they chill out in this upscale loungey setting in Ukrainian Village.

Deejays spin a variety of classic rock, funk and soul as guests network and enjoy a number of Wednesday night specials, including $2 Bud bottles, $5 Red Bull Bombs, $5 Effen cocktails, $150 Effen bottles and $4 homestyle burgers.

Doors open at 6pm, but folks start trickling in around 9. No cover, so be there, and buy a service-industry friend a drink.

Tasting Tuesdays, live music

M Lounge's intimate bar is ideal for mingling with a sexy sig other.


How about a sexy, casual date tonight?

Not with me, silly, but with someone you can take to one of these laid-back neighborhood gems for live music, cocktails and conversation.

I've rounded up a couple of places that you might want to check out:

M Lounge (1520 S. Wabash Ave., 312-447-0201). Enjoy specialty cocktails in this intimate space serving up live jazz every Tuesday and Wednesday. South Loopers love this spot, so it fills up quickly around 7pm. Try to get there right after work. Tonight, the Eric Allen Quartet performs. No cover.

Swirl Wine Bar (111 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-9000). Or sample all your favorites during Swirl's weekly event, "Tasting Tuesdays," when you get the chance to order $3 tastings from their entire wine list. Also, you can still get reservations to attend Swirl's monthly wine tasting tonight for $25. Price includes tastings of the "big red" wines and appetizers prepared by their executive chef. Vocalist Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown are the scheduled artists tonight at 8pm.

For the bubbleheads

The bubbly's always on at Pops for Champagne.


Two holiday champagne tastings are coming up soon, and you'd better get on it now because these things usually sell out fast:

Webster's Wine Bar (1480 W. Webster Ave., 773-868-0608) hosts its 12th annual party that includes more than 30 champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. It's held in their private upstairs room and is a great, casual event that usually attracts people from the neighborhood. Dec. 5 at 7:30pm. $50.

And Bin 36's fabulous Bubble Bath is in its eighth year, and the walkaround tasting celebrates all things sparkling. They're bringing aboard more than 75 sparkling wines and champagne to sample with Executive Chef John Caputo's delightful bites. 339 N. Dearborn St., 312-755-9463. Dec. 12 6-10pm. $50.

If you miss those, you can always head to Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677) for Open House Mondays, when the jazz-focused lounge opens three styles of champagne to taste by the glass. They're also offering flights of all three featured sparkling wines.

Deal of the day . . .

Don't think of burritos as the late-night treat you need following a night of drinking and carrying on.

Former anchorman Bill Kurtis has teamed up with Burrito Beach to offer a healthier version that's also good for the environment. The Barbacoa Burrito, made with Kurtis' eco-friendly Tallgrass beef, can be found at all seven Burrito Beach locations until the end of the year. Tallgrass beef is naturally-nourished by a food source--grass--and produced without sub-therapeutic antibiotics, growth hormones or grain. The meat is usually found at higher-end restaurants, but with the Barbacoa, you can sample it for only $6.79.

To create the Barbacoa, Burrito Beach slow-cooks and marinates Tallgrass beef brisket in its signature “Baja” salsa, then rolls the brisket in a flour tortilla, accompanied by house-made salsa verde, smoky pinto beans, Spanish rice, shredded jack cheese, diced tomatoes, romaine lettuce, fresh onion-cilantro mix, and sour cream.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each burrito will be donated to the Green City Market.

Jimmy Bannos helps rebuild the Big Easy

He’s a strong supporter of New Orleans’ culture and cuisine, and ever since Hurricane Katrina struck, he’s done all he can to help.

So the latest effort Heaven on Seven’s Jimmy Bannos is doing is this worthy event happening Wednesday, Nov. 14 5:30-8pm. He’s teaming up with the Trust for Public Land to benefit New Orleans’ City Park with a benefit at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Blvd.).

First guests may observe two presentations in the Claudia Cassidy Theater, “Geographies of New Orleans: Urban Fabrics Before and After the Storm” and “City Park: Progress to Date,” then join Bannos for a reception at his Heaven on Seven Loop location at 111 N. Wabash Ave., seventh floor. He’ll be serving up cocktails and his spin on New Orleans fare. $125 for both events; $100 for cocktail reception; $25 for presentation only. 312-263-6443 for tickets.

The Craft is back . . .

OK, so this just dropped in my inbox: an invitation for a party for MGD's new beer, The Craft, and it's happening on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at Galleria Marchetti (825 W. Erie St., 312-563-0495). Apparently they've been here before for one of these free parties, and they usually get some pretty big-name talent to perform.

This time, Doug E. Fresh is the host, with Black Thought from The Roots and Raekwon from Wu-Tang Clan scheduled to perform. You'd better get there early if you want to get in. RSVP at rsvp.chicago.mgd.com/av.do or RSVP@SLDMarketingGroup.net, and of course there's free beer for all. Doors open at 8pm.