Deal(s) of the day . . .

It's Meet the Winemaker! night at WineStyles Belmont (1433 W. Belmont Ave., 773-549-2227). Tonight's event introduces Paul Chevalier, the national fine wine director for Shaw-Ross International Importers. He'll guide guests through a tasting of four spectacular wines from the Rhone region of France. This is your opportunity to get real with Rhone. $15 ($5 for wine club members). Space is limited, so RSVP before you go. 6-8pm.

It's also Fried Chicken Night at Paramount Room (415 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300), so Executive Chef Stephen Dunne is whipping up 1/2 Amish fried chicken that's buttermilk dipped and dredged in cornflakes and Panko breadcrumbs. It's $16.95, goes well with one of their craft beers and only offered on Wednesday.

And every Wednesday is also a chance to get the $10 Kobe burgers at Sweet and Savories (1534 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-281-6778), the sensational French-focused eatery in Lincoln Park. Pair one with a bottle of bubbly or a nice red wine.

Guess who applied for a liquor license today?!

Restaurateurs Paul Kahan (sitting) and Donnie Madia are part of a four-man team opening a West Loop, beer-focused venue this spring/summer. (Photo: Michael Stryder)


Right now the only name they're disclosing is still the address—at 845 W. Fulton St.—but there is some progress to report on the beer-focused venue coming our way sometime this season from Paul Kahan, Donnie Madia and Terry Alexander.

Just found out that the team finally applied for a liquor license today, but it would really, really be nice if we could get a name.

On another note, I'm not sure what's going on over on Grand Avenue with Connoisseur Wine Bar (1041 W. Grand Ave., 312-738-3055), but the last four times I've passed by it during its regular business hours the lights have been off. Phone is still working with voice mail, but no one's picking up. Hmmmmmm.

And finally, The Fifty/50 (2047 W. Division St., 773-489-5050), an upscale sports bar certain to rival The Boundary (1932 W. Division St., 773-278-1919) a block away, makes its debut on March 21 in the old Bravo tapas space.

Open call for new reality restaurant show

Found this on Craigslist, if you're interested in being on yet another "reality" restaurant show:

OPEN CALL FOR NEW NBC RESTAURANT COMPETITION SHOW

GRANADA AMERICA, the producers that brought you
Nanny 911, Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares
are seeking two-person teams, with pre-existing relationships, who have always dreamed of opening their own restaurant!

Have you and your spouse, friend, family member, business associate or colleague dreamed of opening your own restaurant? Is one of you a whiz in the kitchen while the other is a front of the house superstar? Do you have what it takes to open and run a successful restaurant? Has financing always been a problem?

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE!

Casting Directors want to meet your team at our open call!

Hard Rock Hotel Chicago- Hamer Room- 4th Floor
230 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601
Saturday- March 22nd, 2008
10am – 4pm

WE ARE SEEKING PEOPLE WHO ARE:
• Over 21 years of age; U.S. Citizens or Permanent U.S. Residents
• 2-person teams with pre-existing relationships: couples, friends, family, co-workers, chef teams, retired couples, college grads, weekend gourmets, old and young!
• Must be outgoing, creative, love the restaurant business and want to open and run your own restaurant!

APPLICANTS SHOULD COME TO THE OPEN CALL AS A TEAM WITH COMPLETED APPLICATIONS

For more information E-mail or Call us: NBCteamsChicago@yahoo.com or (323) 785-2325.
Please include your names, ages, the city you’re from, occupations, contact phone numbers, a recent photograph of yourselves and a brief summary as to why your team is perfect for the show!

Additional information posted on the Now Casting section at www.NBC.com

Deal(s) of the day . . .

Marigold's "Tuesday Tasting" menu includes entrees like the duck leg dum with spicy green beans. (Photo: Marigold)


You get two more chances (tonight included) to sample the special Holi menu that welcomes the arrival of spring at trendy Indian eatery Marigold (4832 N. Broadway, 773-293-4653). The Uptown neighborhood newcomer is celebrating the traditional Indian holiday during its regular Tasting Tuesday event with a special three-course menu for $25.

Also known as the “Festival of Colors,” Holi is a glorious spectacle and a riot of colors. On this day, people literally throw colored powder on each other or spray each other with colored water on the streets and in the town-square. While there won't be any colored powder, Marigold's special menu is a spirited effort that includes Boti Kabab, or a skewer of boneless lamb cubes marinated in tandoori spices; Dahi Wada, or savory black gram lentil wada dumplings drizzled with cooling yogurt and mint chutney; and Murgh Malai Tikka, quarter-chicken marinated in malai cream, coriander, nutmeg, red chili powder, and baked.

Also happening tonight is NoMI's tribute to women winemakers during its weekly Cellar Notes event. Guests will have an opportunity to sample up to 10 varieties from women winemakers from around the world. 5:30-7:30pm. $30. 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030

And every Tuesday at Tallulah (4539 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-942-7585), guests can BYOW (bring your own wine). It's time to break out your favorites as you nosh on signature starters like the spicy Maine lobster Deviled eggs, crab and Andouille fritters or the butternut squash and Gorgonzola ravioli in a cranberry-orange bisque

Culinary stars take over Chi-Town

Primehouse Executive Chef Rick Gresh and Marcus Samuelsson of C-House, set to open in April. (Photo: 312DiningDiva.com)


It was a who's who in the dining world Monday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art for celebrity chef Art Smith's third-annual World Festival. Benefiting his pet charity, Common Threads, which encourages children to take control of their health through food and culture, the event was the hottest ticket in town with high-profile chefs and culinary stars everywhere you turned.

There was Padma Laskmi, the super model host of "Top Chef Chicago," who served as the honorary host of the event. This was only her second time to Chicago—beyond the "Top Chef" tapings—but she's been around the block to know a few things about our fair city.

"Blackbird and avec are my favorite Chicago restaurants," she gushed about the West Loop mainstays, "but Vermillion is the absolute best Indian restaurant in the country!"

There appeared to be a consensus about Blackbird (619 W. Randolph St., 312-715-0708) and avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002), as chefs Rocco DiSpirito ("Rocco Gets Real" on A&E), Govind Armstrong (Table 8—coming to River North late this fall) and Marcus Samuelsson (C-House—coming to Streeterville in mid-April) also raved about their visits. But these guys weren't just about the usual suspects; they also made their way to more insidery joints like Mr. Beef (666 N. Orleans St., 312-266-8251), Goose Island Shrimp House (1011 W. Division St., 312-642-3640) and Mama Desta's Red Sea (3216 N. Clark St., 773-935-7561).

"Most people outside of Chicago think Chicago cuisine is just about German sausage, deep-dish pizza and Irish food," said Rocco DiSpirito. "But it's clear that this big city has a good restaurant scene with very diverse tastes."


R&B sensation John Legend performed at the VIP after-party at the James Hotel. (Photo: 312DiningDiva.com)


The highlight of the night was the VIP after-party at James Hotel (55 E. Ontario St., 312-337-1000), where Food Network star Paula Deen introduced soul sensation John Legend, who performed his now classic hits as well as his latest flavor, "Good Morning."

What's "Good Morning" all about? He told me: "It's all about waking up to that person you really want to be with and making the most of the morning, if you know what I mean."

Sounds good to me!

Deal(s) of the day . . .

OD’d on all that St. Pat’s Day partying over the weekend, but you’re still looking to hang tonight?

You’ll want to check out these events, which will certainly have no green on the scene:

Head to Martini Park (151 W. Erie St., 312-640-0577), as they launch their new nightly happy hour special. Monday through Saturday, between 5-8pm, you can get $3 and $5 menu items like Kobe beef sliders, Thai-style calamari, filet mignon sauté skewers and spinach artichoke dip.

Get ready for Masters At Work mega deejay/producer Louie Vega, who spins at Boom Boom Room at Green Dolphin Street (2200 N. Ashland Ave., 773-395-0066). One of my all-time favorite music men (remember Nuyorican Soul?!), Vega headlines the party with his mesmerizing blend of soul, funk, house and Latin mixes. Tonight’s lineup also includes resident deejays Diz, Michael Serafina, Just Joey and Uncle Milty. $3 Bud products; $5 Stoli cocktails. $10. 10pm-4am.

Tickets are still available for the third-annual World Festival, hosted by Common Threads. "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi is the honorary chair for the event, which includes high-profile local and national chefs. Look out for the likes of David Burke, Jimmy Bannos, Marcus Samuelsson, Gale Gand and Rocco DiSpirito to be serving their specialties. Cocktails, bubbly, live music and more included. 6-9pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago Ave.). John Legend performs at the VIP after-party. Call 312-752-2674 for tickets.

Chill out with friends or a sig other at Feast (1616 N. Damen Ave., 773-772-7100) in Bucktown with this deal: Buy an entrée and get half off on any bottle of wine—or BYOB with your favorite vino.

Rosscoe's off to shaky first flight

I've been seeing photos circulating over the weekend of food from the new Rosscoe's (House of Chicken & Waffles) in Bronzeville (3947 S. King Dr., 773-536-3300), and I have to say that I'm not too impressed.

Apparently, neither was The Stew, which filed this report. Also? I can see some drama happening soon with this name. Why didn't the owners just come up with their own brand instead of biting off the original in Los Angeles?!

On a similar note, I'm hearing some good buzz about the fried chicken & waffles at Kitsch'n On Roscoe (2005 W. Roscoe St., 773-248-7372). They've been serving it on the menu for several years—with Belgian-style waffles and ancho honey—on the dinner menu, and it's become so popular that it's now also on the daytime menu with a boneless breast.

I've fallen out of love with late nights

I think my nights of hanging out after 2am (3am on the weekends) have finally come to an end.

In the last several days, I found myself at some of the usual downtown late-night haunts and it just wasn't the same. I'm not sure what happened when these used to be the hot go-to spots where you could really break loose.

Each time I went out, I attended the usual fun-filled events, which usually end by midnight. And then this is what happened when we checked into the seminal after-hours spots that usually don't get hopping until after 1am:

Le Passage. There just wasn't the energy that used to keep this dance floor packed until the lights came on. The deejay was spinning music that didn't really stand out. For a Saturday night it wasn't crowded at all. Oh, and there was a guy sleeping at his table. Nice.

Stone Lotus. Upstairs the crowd was lethargic, not really into it at all. Downstairs in the VIP room the vibe was a little livlier, but no dancing and not really any socializing. Perhaps St. Paddy's Day overindulgence?! Also, the crowd was a little sloppy, as one girl's padded bra thingy kept creeping out.

RiNo. Jam packed with slamming hip-hop and mashups, and people were even dancing somewhat. Almost every reserved area filled too, but too many poseurs looking for someone else to get the party started.

Underground . Also crowded to the gills when we went on Thursday, with the usual "pretty people" filling up all the VIP sections. But only two people dancing, while everyone else in the room looked as though they were waiting for something spectacular to happen.

What is really going on with Chicago's nightlife?!