Mmmmmm, fries

Chowhounders weigh in on Chicago's best french fries.

Hot Doug's duck fat fries, the shoestring fries at Hugo's Frog Bar and Mon Ami Gabi's generous portions of potato bites were just a few of the faves.

Get ready for a mighty BIG weekend

The "Mr. Big" cocktail is only available at Blue Water Grill. (Photo: Blue Water Grill)


OK, y'all have officially gone Sex and the City: The Movie crazy!

Never have I seen so many parties in anticipation of one little movie. In fact, it's like it's not even a movie anymore; it's an event. But there's so many other goings-on happening this weekend that I've decided to post all the SATCTM madness here so that you don't have to go anywhere else:

WEDNESDAY

Tonight's the last night for you to bring your crew to Nailed in the City, a ladies’ night event at Sheffield’s. They’re showing re-runs of the much-loved series, plus giving away free tix to 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.

Do you want a taste of Mr Big?! You'll get it in the form of The Big cocktail—served only at Blue Water Grill. The thing is, you'll need three girlfriends to help you take it on, as it's served in an oversized martini glass with a scoop of raspberry liquor sorbet, vodka and St. Germain. It's $40 and comes with four extra-long pink bendy straws. The special cocktail will be on the menu for awhile.

THURSDAY

The Cosmos will be flowing at Guise/Chic as stylish guys and gals get ready to overdose on SATCTM. The series, of course, will be playing on monitors all over the store as guests get ready with blowouts, shopping and more. There's also 20 percent off on all purchases and free scotch for the dudes! Party happens 6-9pm when you RSVP to rsvp@guisechic.com.

You can also get your shopping on at Kenneth Cole (540 N. Michigan Ave.), which will be hosting a special party all day long with 20 percent off on all purchases. They'll be giving out comp beverages all day, and after 5pm you'll get the cocktails. After shopping, head to the after-party at Jbar, where you'll be able to win a dinner for two at David Burke's Primehouse or a pair of Kenneth Cole shoes.

The Think Pink! event is all about delicious, refreshing rosés. WineStyles Belmont will be sampling Pinot Noir based rosé, Cabernet based rosé and others for your tasting pleasure. 6-8pm. Free.

And speaking of pink, you don't want to miss the Pink Carpet Party to Fight Breast Cancer happening at Flirty Girl Fitness. The dazzling party includes signature flirtinis, pink feather boas, aerialists performing on pink silk ropes high above the crowd, jaw dropping synchronized pole dancing routines and more. Hosted by NBC-5's Ginger Zee with celebrity deejay Spinderella (of Salt N Pepa fame!) on the turntables and a performance by Chico Debarge. 9pm. For more info, call 902-877-5669.

Enclave gets into the mix with an after-party for the Chicago SATCTM premiere. Guests will indulge in massage stations, free astrology readings, dessert and various raffle prizes, including Cosmo gift bags and a $1,000 gift certificate to the Jimmy Choo boutique. Get your complimentary mojitos if you RSVP to 312-654-0234 and arrive before 11pm. Free.

FRIDAY

Nacional 27's mad mixologist Adam Seger has designed a specialty Cosmo menu in honor of the ladies—as well as to kick off the restaurant's new summer early lounge hours. Every Friday, the hot Latin spot opens at 3pm with complimentary passed tapas and ceviches until 5. You'll also get to enjoy The Charlotte (Skyy Citrus, homemade hibiscus infusion, lime), The Carrie aka 'Le Smoking Cosmo' (fresh-squeezed cranberry Cosmo made with Grey Goose, finished with dry ice), The Miranda (house-fresh squeezed cranberry Cosmo with Skyy Infusions citrus vodka, Grand Marnier, fresh lime) and The Samantha (Belvedere, splash of fresh cranberry juice, Grand Marnier Centennaire, essence of red roses, splash of Domaine Chandon Brut, rose petal float).

If you'd rather do you own little foxy foursome fete, head to upscale Exhale spa and let them create your very own Sex and the City Package. It's valid May 30-June 15 and for parties of four or more. Your treat will include a Mindbody class (Core Fusion, Core Energy Flow or yoga), choice of TRUE facial (60-min) or Deep Flow massage (60-min), a catered lunch by Ra Sushi and a gift bag. $160 per person. 945 N. State St., 312-753-6500.

The Models & Motals party occurs at Victor Hotel, featuring a special runway show by Italian designer Dismero, comp SATCTM-inspired cocktails, goodie bags and more. 9-11pm. RSVP to lbredfeldt@gmail.com for VIP admission.

There's no place like Ohm when it comes to sexiness, and they're taking it up a notch with cocktails inspired by the characters during the weekly Girls' Night Out event. Get your peeps together for sips like The Carrie (Cosmo: Skyy 90 X-Rated), The Charlotte (Zen Mojito: Zen green tea liqueur Flor De Cana mint rum), The Samantha (Midori Cabo Margarita: Cabo Wabo tequila, Midori, Grand Marnier, pineapple juice) and The Miranda (Jean Marc XO vodka, X-Rated, Midori, coconut juice, pineapple juice). And for the guys: Mr. Big (Bowmore: whiskey, Apple Pucker).


NEXT WEEK!

OK, if you're not burned out on 'Sex' by next week, here's one more: There's a SATC marathon happening at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club. Next Thursday—from 5:30pm-2am—they're showing back-to-back episodes on five jumbo screens to celebrate the series' 10-year anniversary, which is on June 6. The Divas will perform throughout the evening, and guests may enjoy $5 Absolut Hunk martinis (regularly $10) as well as themed menu specials by chef Matt Stovey. In addition, from May 30 to June 13, guests are invited to bring in SATCTM ticket stubs to receive an Absolut Hunk martini for $5. Other menu specials include The City (Manhattan-style clam chowder), Manolos (spicy shrimp, scallop, and tuna ceviche with crispy tortilla strips served in a martini glass) and Mr. Big (New york strip steak with a maple bourbon glaze served with bacon and fingerling potato hash).

Famous mole on its way to Taste

Adobo Grill debuts at the Taste of Chicago with its signature mole and other Mexican dishes. (Photo: Adobo Grill)


Here's more news to keep you thinking summer, summer, summer:

Adobo Grill makes its debut at the Taste of Chicago, happening June 27-July 6 in Grant Park. I cannot believe they waited so long, but it's finally a chance for the masses to check out the upscale Mexican restaurant's signature tacos, tamales, guacamole and salsa.

They're especially known for customized, table-side guacamole, but there's no chance they're be serving it there!

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.