One more reason to go local . . .

Now that grocery stores and restaurants are pulling tomatoes because of a salmonella scare, this is one more reason to take your butt to the Green City Market where restaurants like North Pond Cafe, Rustik Kitchen and May Street Market get all their home-grown goodies.

The latest . . .

. . . on what's going on:

Perennial, that long-awaited project from Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz (Boka, Landmark), is now coming at ya on June 19.

The Dana Hotel's Japanese steakhouse, ajasteak, hits town June 16, but the bar opens on Friday, June 13.

True underground night spot Spy Bar is back in biz on Friday after a multi-million $$$ makeover.

And also on Friday the 13th, new after-hours club Religion finally has its grand-opening party with special performances by Harry Choo Choo Romero and B96's DJ Flipside.

Naha, Alinea nab top Beard awards

Alinea's Grant Achatz won the James Beard "Outstanding Chef Award" (Photo: Alinea)


The Stew reports on local James Beard winners—the Oscars of the dining world!—Carrie Nahabedian (Naha), Grant Achatz of Alinea fame and others.

Don't miss the comments section . . . some folks need to lay off the haterade for real!

The Bubble Bar, beats and tiny eats

Guests who indulge in the Bubble Bar on the Terrace of Conrad Chicago also get a unique view of Chicago's skyline. (Photo: Conrad Chicago)


There's so much competition for outdoor hangin' this summer that the more established spots need to step up their game. Terrace, on the fifth floor of Conrad Chicago, makes an aggressive move with the introduction of the Bubble Bar, the new outdoor bar cranking out bubble tea cocktails.

Go for the mango- or pineapple-infused drinks—made from fresh fruit and a variety of liquors (!!)—and settle on one of the cabanas that'll make you feel like you've been transported to South Beach. And Monday nights are also reserved for film buffs who come for classic and kitchy movies shown on a large screen. Tonight go retro with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and munch on truffle popcorn or from a menu of "StaxX" (a meal built vertically by layering bamboo steamers) such as vegetable spring rolls, mini crabcake sliders, sushi and seasoned fries. Showtime at 8pm.


Also happening tonight (and every night) is the $3 bar tapas menu at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! when you get there between 4-6pm. Yummy faves like the Rioja short ribs with Manchego mashed potatoes, chicken empanadas, or mushrooms stuffed with spinach and manchego cheese can be had.

Speaking of tapas, People Lounge doles out the deals every Monday-Thursday (5:30-7pm). Three dollars gets you bites such as pollo Diablo, rainbow trout and scallops. Tonight, you'll want to pair those with $10 sangria pitchers or $2 PBRs as you kick back with live Delta blues from John Kimler.

And down the street from People Lounge is another Monday night special: the BBR Monday Social at Debonair Social Club. Music 101 this week hosts a very hot party with legendary house music maestro Roy Davis, Jr. behind the 'tables. Get the $5 Stoli drinks and $3 domestic beers while you're there. 9pm-2am. $5.

What the critics are saying . . .

. . . about:

Epic Burger: "The sandwiches were messy, but it had nothing to do with grease. With onions and crisp pickles and actual green lettuce—not iceberg—and tomato we had to eat over the table to keep from dripping. As we dug into the fries I told Susan they reminded me of In-N-Out’s, the burger chain in California. After we’d finished eating (owner) David (Friedman) told us that chain was one of his inspirations. They have a limited menu, everything’s made to order, and a loyal fan base that will wait in line for the fresh-cut fries."—Theresa Carter (The Local Tourist) Read it all here.

Mixteco Grill: "The moles here can stop your heart. The otherwise run-of-the-mill sopes are elevated to showstopping status by a dose of the brooding, smoky mole rojo, and the white fish gets treated with a lighter, sprightly mole verde. And while its not a mole, the smooth poblano sauce pooled around plump, smoky, perfectly grilled shrimp is so lappable, we almost don’t need the seafood."—David Tamarkin (Time Out Chicago) Read it all here.

Natalino's: "Natalino's serves the best chicken cacciatore in Chicago. Period. This is one chicken dish that you get either all right or all wrong, and the relatively new Natalino's on West Chicago Avenue gets it all right: A masterful blend of flavors that started with the sauteed chicken (on the bone) and rambled on through a light and fragrant tomato sauce along with just the right amount of the "cacciatore" part—meaty mushrooms and strips of red and green bell peppers."—Pat Bruno (Chicago Sun-Times) Read it all here.

They're still keeping their lips sealed!

Blackbird's Paul Kahan and Donnie Madia are set to open their unnamed, beer-focused restaurant in the Warehouse District in July. (Photo: Michael Stryder)


Just how long have we been waiting now for those rascals from Blackbird to give us a name for their new beer-focused eatery in the Warehouse District?!

Paul Kahan and Donnie Madia are part of the rock-star team of restaurateurs (also Terry Alexander and Eduard Seitan) that's been working on this heavily anticipated spot since late last year.

And though it's still got no name, they've finally released some of the menu items: Seafood and meat dominate with offerings like marinated Spanish mackerel, wood-roasted black sea bass and fine sliced ham complemented by goat butter.

Scheduled opening date is in July.

Chicago's culinary elite takes to the streets

Time Out Chicago checks in with the likes of Calvin Soh of Shanghai Terrace, Spiaggia's Tony Mantuano and Dan Nguyen (Viet Bistro) to uncover their fave cheap eats around town.

Get the blues for brunch . . . Butter Boogie launches . . .

Ronnie Baker Brooks wowing the crowd at Buddy Guy’s Legends, which is hosting Blues Fest brunch all weekend. (Photo: Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter)


It’s mega music madness this weekend with the Blues Fest in Grant Park, Juicy Wine Co. pairing wine with rap, and an original member of Devo showcasing his artistic skills.

Get in where you fit in:

THURSDAY

Leave it to Juicy Wine Co. to jump out the box when it comes to vino. This time they’re hosting Betts & Scholl, a little-known label created in 2001 that’ll be pouring The Chronique, a new school wine with concentrated raspberry and strawberry flavors. You’ll be able to sample their vino as a deejay spins vibes from Dr. Dre’s legendary The Chronic. And as a bonus, guests will get a $5 Juicy gift card toward any Betts & Scholl wine purchase. 6-8pm. $15.

Upscale men’s boutique HALO [FOR MEN] throws a scotch tasting for those guys looking to really start the weekend off right. Guests will have the opportunity to sample 15-, 17-, and 21-year-old aged scotch with appetizers. Entertainment includes a caricaturist and DJ ME spinning. 6:30-8:30pm. RSVP to rsvp@halochicago.com.

It’s the first Thursday of the month, so that means Braziliance returns to Sonotheque. Resident spin star Joe Bryl hosts this sexy set paying homage to beautiful Brazil with The Braziliance Drinking Guide, a special menu of liquid creations capturing the art of cocktailing in Rio like mojitos, Caipirinhas and exotic beers. Guests are encouraged to start the night off at Flo for a special Brazilian menu, then come to Sonotheque for comp admission. 9pm-2am. Free before 10pm; $5 after.

Chicago’s Black Professional Network and Miracle Entertainment celebrate Barack Obama’s big win with Social Therapy at Victor Hotel. Deejays World and I.N.C. spin. 6pm-2am. Free.

Butter Boogie kicks off tonight at Crimson Lounge. Cool kids Good for Party will be throwing this one every first Thursday of the month with comp Absolut vodka tastings and CDs until 10pm. Deejays Mike Cole and Mark Grusane spin modern soul, boogie, disco, electro, vintage house and more. 8pm-2am. Free when you RSVP.

FRIDAY

Mark Mothersbaugh was an artist long before he formed iconic punk-alt group Devo with Jerry Casale and Bob Lewis. And though the group will forever be known for its timeless “Whip It,” he’s been busy writing music for likes of filmmaker Wes Anderson (“Royal Tenenbaums,” “Rushmore”), the children’s show “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and Apple Computers. He’s in the spotlight in Chicago this weekend for his one-man show, The Postcard Diaries, which showcases the illustrated postcards he’s created for more than 30 years. The grand-opening reception takes place at DLG River North, located in the same building as hot new “bistronomic” eatery graham elliot. 6-11pm. Free.

And speaking of visual art, one of MutualArt.com’s Top 20 Must-See Museum Exhibitions for Summer 2008 is the new Everything's Here: Jeff Koons and His Experience of Chicago exhibit at the MCA through September. Check it out tonight during First Fridays. 6-10pm. The $15 ticket includes live entertainment and Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres; cash bar. 220 E. Chicago Ave.

Head to Gold Star Bar for the 2008 release of the Not For Tourists Guide. Party includes free drinks and copies of the tome, but you gotta print out the invite here to get in. 6-9pm. Free.

SATURDAY

Get the blues before you even get to the Blues Fest and check out Buddy Guy’s Legends—which is located close to Grant Park—for a special blues brunch. Munch on biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon and muffins during acoustic blues sets by Guy King and Harmonica Hinds. 11am-1pm Saturday and Sunday. $15.

And you’ll wanna dress up and get down because it’s Big Brown going for the Triple Crown. Brownstone Tavern & Grill hosts a viewing party with a contest (for the best picks) that will include cool prizes like Guitar Hero III, gas cards (!!!), Cubs tickets, Sirius stereo players and an iPhone. Also, there will be prizes for best racetrack attire (think seersucker, bonnets and summer dresses), deejay between races and a live trumpeter for call to post. $5 drink deals include the Belmont Breeze (official drink of the Stakes), White Carnation (official flower of the Stakes) and a Maker’s Mark Mint Julep. Doors open at 11am; race starts at 4pm.