Word . . .

A rendering of what ZED451's rooftop lounge will look like when it arrives this spring. (Photo: ZED451)


. . . is that ZED451 (739 N. Clark St.), the hip dining spot where the culinary team not only prepares the cuisine, but also serves it tableside, will have its grand opening in mid-April. I'm also getting excited about the two-story glass atrium, 451 Lounge, which is comprised of a wine bar, an indoor fire pit, a fully exposed kitchen with chef counter seating and a “green” roof top lounge with an outdoor fireplace.

Last Girl Standing Sarah Preston reports that Wicker Park indie lounge Celebrity bites the dust, making way for Aberdeen at 1856 W. North Ave. on March 8.

Marcus Samuelsson's much-anticipated seafood restaurant C-House (166 E. Superior St.) aims for a late-April debut in the new Affinia Chicago Hotel.

Juicy Wine Co. (1658 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620) is getting in the brunch biz on Saturdays with the 5 Buck Brunch. Beginning March 1, Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago chef and instructor Michael Wilison and his students will whip up weekly specials for $5 each. One of the signature dishes is sure to be the Orange Waffles with Harold's Fried Chicken. They'll also have Bellinis, Mimosas and Bloody Marys. 11am-4pm.

And look for the team behind high-end night spots Manor (642 N. Clark St., 312-475-1390) and RiNO (343 W. Erie St., 312-587-3433) to enter the culinary world as they're shopping for a space in the city to open a restaurant right now. Also, their super-duper VIP lounge Stay opens on the top level of Manor this spring.

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Il Fiasco (5101 N. Clark St., 773-769-9700). "(New chef Eric Aubriot) hasn’t overhauled the menu by any means, but his presence can be felt in every section of it. His rich, twice-baked Gorgonzola soufflé was in a different class from other appetizers offered (many of which Aubriot kept from the previous menu): The cheese was balanced by red wine–poached pears, and the dish had a bigger flavor—and was more sophisticated—than its peers. His crisp corn cakes, topped with a mushroom sauce that had a robust earthiness (a flavor that was missing when I tried the mushroom pizza back in August), similarly impressed. And though it was odd to see french fries listed under appetizers, they showed off Aubriot’s years of experience; he only lightly seasoned them with truffle oil, so you won’t smell like a forest all night but you will remember why truffle oil became big in the first place."—David Tamarkin (Time Out Chicago) Read it all here.

Rockwell Lounge (710 N. Clark St., 312-787-2675). "The old Narcisse space has gone all dark slate, moody blues and sheet metal. The front area houses a cordoned-off seating area while the bar sports two stripper poles and a catwalk for drink-ordering entertainment. Downstairs features much of the same paired-down and muted cool-tone decor, with more modular seating and an additional, pole-free bar. The crowd falls somewhere between those who frequent the neighborhood's ultra-lounges and folks who appreciate Chicago's grittier rock joints."—Fred Schlatter (Chicago CitySearch) Read it all here.

Stretch Run Sports Club & Grille (544 N. LaSalle St., 312-644-4477). "Either barbecue ribs ($8.95) or hot wings ($8.95) will add some life to your meal. A layer of Sweet Baby Ray's sauce coats meaty, tender ribs; sizzling hot sauce blankets the wings. The latter arrive with the usual celery sticks and choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing."—Laura Bianchi (Crain's Chicago Business) Read it all here.

Margarita madness . . . and more

Adobo Grill celebrates "National Margarita Day" on Friday with $5 margaritas at all its locations. (Photo: Adobo Grill)


Get out! Get out! Get out . . . this weekend:

AlphaWomen.com Launch Party. The new community-based web site hosts this launch event tonight at Sofitel (20 E. Chestnut St.). Its purpose? It's for women across the United States and globe to connect with one another and discuss “real” issues and experiences. From 6-9pm, guests will mingle, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and P.I.N.K. Vodka specialty cocktails. Party-goers will also get the chance to indulge in complimentary hand massages from Sephora and H20+, mini makeovers by Bare Essentials and fashion tips and styling by wardrobe consultant Julie Watson. The first 100 guests get a fabulous swag bag filled with glamorous gifts. $30 in advance; $40 at door. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Lung Cancer Alliance Organization. Call 312-464-8111 for more info.

Hooray for Rosé. Get the real deal on this "misunderstood wine" during a tasting from 6-8pm. Just don't call it white Zinfandel! This is the wine for spring’s awakening and to ceremoniously bid winter an early adieu. WineStyles Chicago (1433 W. Belmont Ave., 773-549-2227). Free.

Margarita Madness. Take the edge off handbag shopping with a little tequila at Bess & Loie (1015 W. Lake St., 312-226-2247) accessories boutique tonight from 6-9pm.

Whiskey Seminar and Tasting. Master of whisky Martin Duffy leads this seminar to help you learn the differences and similarities between a variety of Irish and Scotch whiskies at popular North Center restaurant, Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-248-3905). Tonight 7-8pm. $10.

Chicago Restaurant Week. It's finally here and starts on Friday at area restaurants. See the full list of participants here, including Prosecco (710 N. Wells St., 312-951-9500), NAHA (500 N. Clark St., 312-321-6242) and Kiki's Bistro (900 N. Franklin St., 312-335-5454).

National Margarita Day! Hey, it's any excuse to start drinking on the weekend. So celebrate Friday with a margarita or two or three . . . All Adobo Grill locations (1610 N. Wells St., 312-266-7999; 2005 W. Division St., 773-252-9990) celebrate with a $5 margarita special in honor of the occasion. Also, raise your margarita glass at Blue Agave (1 W. Maple St., 312-335-8900), Agave (3115 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-404-1800), Salud (1471 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-235-5577) or Zocalo (358 W. Ontario St., 312-302-9977), which also offers half-price appetizers in the bar from 5-7pm and live Latin music every Friday.

Four-Course Fridays. Every Friday at Il Fiasco (5101 N. Clark St., 773-769-9700), the Italian shop offers a new menu for $39 per person (exclues tax, tip, gratuity). Get there early tonight for a special art show with a meet and greet with the artists from 6-8pm. There will be complimentary appetizers and it's free to get in.

Flashback Fridays. Friday kicks off a late-night event at Rednofive (440 N. Halsted St., (312-543-4998) featuring veteran deejays known for their energetic styles. Julian “The Night Ninja”, Tim "Spinnin" Schommer, Frankie "Hollywood" Rodriguez, Flipside, "The Boogieman", "Too Kool" Chris and others are the spin stars. The launch event features Jesse De La Pena and Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez. Friday 10pm-4am. $20.

BYOB Taste of Rogers Park. Jean Iverson, author of BYOB Chicago, stops by Taste Food and Wine (1506 Jarvis Ave., 773-761-3663) to sign books and discuss the BYOB scene in Chicago. They'll be pairing complimentary wines with tastings from Taste of Peru (6545 N. Clark St., 773-381-4540) and Pakistani eatery Luzzat (1505 W. Jarvis Ave., 773-764-1065). 6-7:30pm Saturday. Free.

Rock the World. Just in case you're not down with all the Oscar parties going down on Sunday, Sonotheque's Joe Bryl is bringing something completely different. He's spinning some mad music at Danny's Tavern (1951 W. Dickens Ave., 773-489-6457) that includes Bollywood beats, German grooves, Spanish soul, Turkish funk, Cambodian Garage, Brazilian Psychedelia and Japanese rock. Alrighty then! 9pm-2am. Free.

Another one bites the dust: The Cheese Stands Alone

(Photo: The Cheese Stands Alone)


Lincoln Square gourmet shop The Cheese Stands Alone (4547 N. Western Ave., 773-293-3870) calls it quits.

After five years in business as the place to go for husband-and-wife team Matt and Sarah Parker's handpicked selections, the store is closing this weekend. They carry more than 100 cheeses from around the world, specializing in fine European cheeses like aged Gouda, so if you're looking for a deal, they just might be on sale this weekend.

The Wild Brunch

I went to dinner with a couple of my best male friends last night. Unfortunately I took them to a place with flatscreens showing NCAA college basketball. I wanted to bitch and moan about current events, dating drama, blah, blah, blah, but they weren't listening. They were too busy watching whomever was playing on the tube.

So that reminded me that "March Madness" is right around the corner. So . . . it's going to get even worse. Nonstop, all-day basketball watching—especially on Saturdays and Sundays during brunch time. We may as well get used to it and embrace it and check out some spots that do sports brunch well:

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap (41 E. Superior St., 312-867-4908). The lodge-like, Gold Coast bar recently became infamous for its seriously ridiculously over-the-top hot wings that are so intense that you have to sign a waiver in order to get them. But, if that's not your bag, go for the Hot Dog Flight with three different styles of mini hot dogs. And Sunday is their regular brunch, featuring Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast, as well as a host of omelets and skillets. Also, on Sunday, go for $3.12 312 Pints or $5 Bloody Marys from the build-your-own bar.

McGee's Tavern (950 W. Webster Ave., 773-549-8200). The Lincoln Park institution is most popular for its rowdy brunch crowd, Eggs Benedict and Haystack skillets (i.e. Placido’s Mexican Haystack, Veggiestack). Oh, and how about that build-your-own Bloody Mary bar that continues until brunch time is over? You don't want to miss that action. Multiple flatscreens over the bar and at many tables keep the natives occupied, and many people get there at 11am and don't leave until it's dark outside. Now, that's a brunch.

The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave., 312-372-4243). Or, for a more civilized brunch, we bring you this South Loop gem that's made its name as a popular post-work hangout. They've got Dirk Flanigan in the kitchen, so of course the menu's much more creative. He's put his spin on a traditional Irish breakfast, plus steel cut Irish oatmeal brulee and an apple pancake soufflé.

'You have a baby . . . in a bar?!'

Good idea or very bad idea?

Here's what Slashfood has to say on the subject.

Some notable openings

The Stew reports that Jerry Kleiner's Park 52 (5201 S. Harper Court) is opening in mid-March. For reals this time. And did we mention that Park 52 sounds too much like Table 52 (52 W. Elm St., 312-573-4000)? He might want to rethink that one.

Drive-Thru checks out new Loop lunch spot Noodles & Co. (180 N. Michigan Ave.).

And Basil Leaf Cafe (2460 N. Clark St.) in Lincoln Park recently closed, but it's now joined forces with sister restaurant next door, Sage (2465 N. Clark St., 773-348-7243), with a larger dining space and bar area.

Deal of the day . . .

(Photo: Dogfish)


Embrace the beer craze tonight with Vertical Tasting, in which guests get to sample an awesome selection of Dogfish Head craft beers. The event's held at Delilah's (2771 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-2771) with Dogfish Head Craft Brewery owner/brewer Sam Calagione and Delilah's owner Mike Miller leading the largest single sampling of more than 20 Dogfish Head beers ever attempted in Chicago, including many rare beers and vintages of World Wide Stout and Immort Ale. Tonight 9pm-midnight. Free.

As usual, "Greazy & Sleazy" DJ Jason Larsen spins, and for those not into Doghead, the Wednesday specials are $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon Longnecks and $2 Ten High Bourbon.

If you can't make it to Delilah's tonight, head here on Saturday, Feb. 23 for Vintage Strong Beer Fest 2008. It's the 10th annual festival for this event, and guests will get to sample more than 70 beers, primarily strong ales, from over 50 breweries. Just some of the ales include Three Floyds, Goose Island, Greg Browne Brewing, Capitol, Two Brothers, Rock Bottom, Flossmoor Station, Flatlander’s and Bell’s & Lakefront Brewing. Many of the brewers will also be in attendance. Noon-6pm. $20.