Mother Nature hates us all today

WTF is going on with the weather?!

Wasn't it like 80 degrees yesterday?! What's up, Mother Nature?!

Luckily Chicago's bar and restaurant owners have been around long enough not to assume that summer weather is here to stay. So, if you're going out tonight, you'd better find some place with a fireplace:

404 Wine Bar: It's been open for almost 10 years, but the Lakeview lounge is still one of the sweetest spots in the 'hood. You'll find two fireplaces: one in the front room next to a tiny table for two and the rear room that'll fit a larger group.

The Boundary: It's a sports bar a la Lincoln Park, but The Boundary is still a welcome addition to these parts of Wicker Park. You'll probably have to get there early to snag the seats near the fireplace.

Cru Cafe and Wine Bar: The Euro-style wine lounge in the Gold Coast offers a quiet little room with a fireplace where you can sip little-known bottles of vino and munch on the signature Cru Club lobster sandwich.

Reagle Beagle: Go retro with martinis and appetizers named after popular '80s show, "Three's Company." It's a little kitschy, with a fireplace right in front of the cozy sofas, but you're out to have fun, right?!

ZED451: Don't sulk because you don't get to soak up the sun on the glorious rooftop bar. The first-floor lounge is just as spectacular, with two fireplaces, where you can indulge in a glass of one of their full-bodied wines.

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Cinners: "When it comes to the three-, four- and five-ways, where chili is the star of the show, everything falls flat. Owner Tony Plum claims he’s using the same recipe that launched Cincinnati’s legendary Empress Chili, but this stuff is way too dry to be deemed the real deal. Whereas true Cincy chili is more of a spicy meat sauce, this chili sits on top of the traditional spaghetti noodles like crumbled hamburger. And it wasn’t just the consistency that disappointed; the chili doesn’t have Cincinnati’s complex spiciness."—David Tamarkin (Time Out Chicago) Read it all here.

Mercat a la Planxa: "Ordering the kitchen’s much-talked-about whole roasted suckling pig (cochinillo asado) is a bit like adopting a child, requiring a group of four, two days’ advance notice, a faxed form, and a $75 deposit. Chef de cuisine Michael Fiorello escorts the little guy to your table and carves him up there, separating the delectable crispy skin and the fatty cheek tissue from the rest of meat, and, at our request, going so far as to remove the tiny, creamy gray matter from the skull, grill it, and plate it with a rich sherry reduction. Given enough notice they’ll brine the pig for up to three days, though ours was plenty juicy and flavorful. It includes sides of calçots, roasted fingerling potatoes, and two particularly fantastic dishes—sauteed spinach with raisins, pine nuts, and julienned apples, and a cassouletlike crock of white beans with bacon. Even with a recent price hike (to $45 per head), this might be the best value in the restaurant, and it’s well worth the effort. "—Mike Sula (Chicago Reader) Read it all here.

Twin Anchors: "Baby back ribs are the main attraction, served with extra sauce—zesty or mild. Choose baked potato, ridge-cut fries or onion rings on the side. Other entrees include broiled tiger shrimp, burgers, pulled pork and a half-chicken that's fried then quickly broiled and basted with barbecue sauce."—(CitySearch.com) Read it all here.

Sign of the times?!

Down By The Hipster—my New York counterpart—drops some reality on what's going down in NYC nightclubs now that the economy is in the tank. Could Chicago suffer the same fate?!

Something is happening . . .

. . . over in the old Sinibar/Thyme Cafe space at 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. The Crocodile is scheduled to open there sometime this summer, but right now that's all the info I've got.

Developing . . .

Plenty to do on Memorial Day Weekend

You're probably already overwhelmed with all the stuff going on this weekend, so I'm just going to keep it sweet and simple:

THURSDAY

We've still got a week before the Chicago premiere of "Sex and the City: The Movie," but the pre-events just keep coming. Tonight's Manor's tribute to the foxy foursome with all sorts of branded giveaways. After party takes place at RiNo with DJ Jake Reno. 9pm-2am. No cover; call for guest list.

If you're planning on throwing your own BBQ this weekend, you might want to get some tips at the Lincoln Park location for Treasure Island Foods (2121 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-880-8880). They've teamed up with Louis Glunz Beer to teach you everything you need to know to pair the suds with summer snacks, etc. 7-9pm. $20.

For cool cocktails, head to Crimson Lounge for a party hosted by Absolut. Tonight kicks off a four-series event to honor the vodka empire's Global Cooling program, with $1 of every Absolut drink going to one of the three charities supported by the program: the Ocean Foundation, Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and the Environmental Media Association. Complimentary tasting of Absolut cocktails will also be offered from 8-10pm. No cover.

FRIDAY

W City Center and Food Network superstar Dave Lieberman offer a sneak peek of tasty bites that Liberman has created exclusively for W Hotels. This was a VIP-only event, but now they've opened it up to the public. Come get a free autographed cookbook, taste his new "Cravings" menu and drink it up from 7-9pm. Some menu items include smokey Yukon gold fries, Outside-In Wagu sirloin burger with balsamic caramelized onions, meatball "Hero" with red pepper tomato sauce and provolone, and more. Free, just RSVP to chihappenings@whotels.com or call 312-917-5651.

OutFit Events hosts the official after party with Rev Run of the legendary Run DMC and hit MTV series "Run's House"; occurs at Enclave. He's in town performing with Kid Rock at the Sears Centre. DJ Mel Debarge spins. 10pm-2am. Covers vary.

SATURDAY

Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar debuts its brunch service this weekend. You'll get traditional morning munchies as well as breakfast pizzas from their woodburning oven. They'll also have "bottomless" Mimosas for $10. 10am-3pm.

Indulge in this Tinycakes tasting at Provenance Food & Wine as founder Stephanie Merello samples her straight-up brownies, dark chocolate pistachio biscotti and double chocolate hazelnut cookies. The event will be held during their regularly scheduled wine tasting. 3-6pm. Free.

SUNDAY

Sippin on Sunday returns to Hotel Sax (333 N. Dearborn St., 4th Floor, 312-431-8801) for an upscale party that includes deejays spinning the hits and beautiful people. 9pm-3am. $10 before 10pm. Also happening in the hotel's Crimson Lounge is a party featuring 12 freaking deejays (!!!!). 8pm-2am. This party is free.

New video game is a trip

Let's just hope this doesn't come to a Chicago bar near you.

New wine lounge concept for Lincoln Park

Bar1 Events is known best for its Lincoln Park-based bars for the post-collegiate crowd. McGee's, Duffy's and Wrightwood Tap are just a few of their most successful ventures with a solid loyal following.

They're hoping for a slightly older crowd to follow them to Fiona, their new wine lounge concept that's adjacent to Duffy's. Look for this cozy, neighborhood spot to open sometime in July.

Cure that mid-week blues

If you're a little bit restless since it's Hump Day:

Take a mid-morning break and stroll through the Green City Market (located at the South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive). Chef Martial Noguier of one sixtyblue will do a cooking demo at 10:30am. The market is from 7am-1:30pm. Free.

Spring is trying to get here, but in the meantime, Galleria Liqueurs on Southport is hosting the Spring into Summer Wine Party. The soiree includes 50 different white, rose and sparkling wines; seven wine reps and experts pouring their favorite selections; and endless hors d'oeuvres from various neighborhood eateries. 6-9pm. $20.

Every Wednesday in May, bring your crew to Nailed in the City, a ladies’ night event at Sheffield’s. They’ll be showing re-runs of the much-loved series, plus giving away free tix to “Sex and the City: The Movie.” Guests will be able to indulge in $8 manicures from Nail Fetish (525 N. Ashland Ave.) as well as other treatments. Also, go for the $5 Lemon Drop, Cosmos and other martinis. Free admission.

The Hump Day Happy Hour happens every week at Cityscape Bar, with a complimentary appetizer buffet (5-7pm) and drink specials for $4.

The Avenue Q opening party takes place at Rockit Bar & Grill. Hosted by Snow Queen Vodka, the event is actually not open to the public, but they'll let you come if you RSVP to jill@thepattongroupinc.com. Avenue Q, an offbeat, R-rated play featuring puppets and Gary Coleman (yes, that Gary Coleman!), is showing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through June 7. The party starts at 9:45pm.

I Love House Music, hosted by Allay Soul, House Arrest, and Aid to the SouLless, continues at Zentra. Deejays Traxx and Monna spin seriously deep house grooves for the househeads. $2 cocktail reception 10-11pm; parties of 10 or more get a free bottle of bubbly. 10pm-4am. $5.