Chocolate and Chianti, anyone?!

The second ENO (200 N. Columbus Dr., 312-946-7000) opened quietly yesterday in the Fairmont Chicago.

Hand-crafted chocolates (from local and national producers), artisanal cheeses and more than 500 bottles of wine are the focus at this unique concept. But what sets this location apart from the original ENO in the InterContinental (505 N. Michigan Ave., 866-210-8811) is that it takes over the entire lobby.

Rustic tones of burnt sienna and eggplant accent the multitextured furniture and the custom carpeting is designed to look like the slate floor of a traditional wine cellar. Comfortable café-style seating for 52 guests is available at regular and highboy tables, and at ENO's 16-foothammered brass andlive-edge white oakbar, which is fronted with backlit glass.

Melissa Principe (formerly of The Tasting Room) oversees the wine program with a staff of experienced wine experts. Get your wine
by the bottle, glass or flight.

Grant Achatz's road to recovery

Grant Achatz of Alinea (Photo: Alinea)


Despite a grueling course of radiation and chemotherapy for Stage 4 cancer of the tongue, Alinea (1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110) executive chef/owner Grant Achatz “missed only 14 nights of service at Alinea, mostly near the end of radiation therapy, when the skin around his jaw had eroded so badly that he had to wear a burn mask.” Read the entire story in the current Men's Vogue.

There's still time . . .

. . . to get on the guest list for tonight's fabulous GenArt affair at the River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois St.).

Art in Motion, sponsored by Nokia NSeries, will be an interactive experience combining cinema, gallery and reality television. Get there early for socializing, complimentary cocktails and networking. 7-11pm. Invitation only, but you can RSVP here to get on the list for comp admission.

Gotta love their sense of humor

HUB 51 (51 W. Hubbard St.) owners—and siblings—R.J. and Jerrod Melman show off their silly side with this hiring video parodying the classic late-night informercials with host extraordinaire Tom Vu (starring local actor Vince Minh).

The River North restaurant, a subdivision of Lettuce Entertain You, is scheduled to open on June 10 with a hip, youthful vibe, casual dining menu and enviable music program.

Swirl, sniff 'n' sip, baby

WHAT DO you want to do after work today?!

Make a beeline to Juicy Wine Co. (694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620) for a free tasting of Eyrie Vineyards' pinot noirs plus other treats. You'll get to indulge in three vintages from this award-winning winery from Oregon, plus Juicy promises to give guests a taste of some of their other favorites. 6-8pm. Free.

The weekly Cellar Notes event at NoMI (800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030) pays homage to Cinco de Mayo with a Don Julio tequila tasting. Advanced Sommelier Fernando Beteta will be on hand as usual to guide guests for the best experience. 5:30-7:30pm. $30.

Seafood lovers can go to town during Paramount Room's (415 N Milwaukee Ave., 312-829-6300) weekly all-you-can-eat Fish & Chips Night, for hand-dipped Icelandic cod, creamed slaw and fresh-cut fries for $14. It's also half-price wines by the bottle night.

Look out . . .

. . . for the next round of openings:

Chocolate Grape (2113 W. Division St., 773-772-3990), a chocolate, wine and pastry cafe, opens in Wicker Park on Friday.

Epic Burger (517 S. State St.), an all natural, fast casual burger concept, debuts its flagship store next week in the South Loop.

Raise a margarita to Cinco de Mayo

Adobo Grill celebrated Cinco de Mayo all weekend long with specials. (Photo: Adobo Grill)


Likely, you launched into Cinco de Mayo festivities over the weekend, and if you're not maxed-out on margaritas yet, here are some events to check into:

Adobo Grill’s grande Cinco de Mayo celebration concludes tonight with specials on food and margaritas. You'll also get to nod your head to mariachi bands at both locations: 1610 N. Wells St. or 2005 W. Division St.

The weekly BBR Monday Night Social happens tonight at Debonair Social Club (1575 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-227-7990). Hosted by Music 101, the party includes drink specials, live art installations and festive house and Latin soul music by Mazi and Brian Gardner. 9pm-2am. Free.

Cityscape Bar (Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 350 W. Mart Center Dr., 312-836-5000) is changing up its usual after-work buffet for a Spanish spin tonight. The complimentary buffet will include homestyle chicken tamales, tortilla chips, chorizo and potato flautas and more. Also, they're serving up several drink specials, including Patron Melon Bull (Patron Silver, Patron Citronge, Midori Melon, Red Bull and topped with Champagne) for $6. Buffet: 5-7pm; party continues until 1am.

Flock to Park 52's (5201 S. Harper Ave., 773-241-5200) fiesta tonight. They're doing a Chipotle roasted rack of lamb served with mashed yucca as well as spicy crispy rock shrimp. Specialty sippers include an organic Partida margarita (created with organic agave nectar, fresh lime juice) for only $5.50.

And the colorful Sangria Restaurant and Tapas Bar (901 W. Weed St., 312-266-1200) will offer $5 glasses of red and white sangria and $3 bottles of Bud Light Lime.

Your Momma . . .

. . . is a very special lady, and her Big Day is May 11. If you haven't made those plans yet, 312 Dining Diva has got you covered with these offbeat dining options:

The Chopping Block. Spend the afternoon cooking a three-course meal with you mom at either location of this popular cooking school. You'll get to make prosciutto-wrapped asparagus; egg, spinach and cheese stuffed crepes with Hollandaise sauce; and a lemon tart with strawberries. 10am at Merchandise Mart (Suite 107, 312-644-6360); 11am in Lincoln Square (4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-6700). $75 per person.

Geja’s Café (340 W. Armitage Ave., 773-281-9101). They're offering an all-inclusive fondue lunch that includes cheese fondue, a choice of chicken or shrimp, flaming chocolate fondue and Champagne. All moms will also get a free five-minute massage by a licensed massage therapist. Doors open at noon. $30.

Green Zebra (1460 W. Chicago Ave., 312-243-7100). Shawn McClain's contemporary vegetarian-focused eatery serves up a la carte brunch choices like baked cheese fondue with Granny Smith apples and sourdough bread; aged cheddar grilled cheese with tomato-onion chutney; caramelized vegetable hash, roasted tomato vinaigrette, baked eggs; and Challah French toast with black pepper and strawberries. 10:30am-2pm. Prices vary.

Pops for Champagne (601 N. State St., 312-266-7677). Indulge your mom with premium bubbly during the Mothers of Champagne celebration all weekend long. Pair executive chef Andrew Brochu's American progressive menu with a number of champagne specials such as Louis Roederer Brut Premier and Pommery Brut Rosé.

Powerhouse Restaurant and Bar (215 N. Clinton St., 312-928-0800).
Mothers get a complimentary glass of Henriot Blanc champagne from noon to 8pm on their big day when they order from the classic American menu. Enjoy entrees such as slow-roasted chicken thigh with faro, braised artichokes, Swiss chard and sorrel sauce or Walleye Pike with English pea custard, black trumpet mushrooms, white corn and roasted red pepper nage. Prices vary.

Sinha Elegant Cuisine (2018 W. Adams St., 312-491-8200). Transport Mom to Brazil at caterer Jorgina Pereira's weekly exotic brunch/early dinner giving props to her homeland. Dig into filling portions of authentic Brazilian cuisine, dance to the music (with dancers in full costume!) and mingle with others who're there to have a good time. Hopefully the day will be warm so diners may relax on the outdoor patio. 2-8pm. Reservations are mandatory. BYOB; $30.

Vermillion (10 W. Hubbard St., 312-527-4060). Savor a six-course, Indian-Latin seafood supper with delights like lobster bisque, blue corn-crusted scallop, lobster ceviche, tamarind shrimp and Brazilian caldeirada. And if you're looking for something beyond the usual bubbly, get one of their "herb & spice" champagne fizzes (blueberry cardamom fizz, jalapeno cilantro or prickly-pear ginger). Moms get one for free! Noon-3pm; 5-10pm. $55 per person.