Ina responds to 'eggs and potatoes' comment

Ina Pinkney of Ina's (Photo: Taken from Ina's Restaurant web site)

This just dropped in the mailbag from "breakfast queen" Ina Pinkney of Ina's in response to her quote—"It would actually be better for me to give that person a dollar to not eat in my restaurant"—that ran in the Chicago Tribune today:

"When (Chicago Tribune writer) Monica (Eng) heard me say that, she was interested in exactly what it cost me to put out that plate of eggs and potatoes.

We showed her the table top....what it costs to wash the the plates, flatware and glassware, put outthe bread, butter, napkin, table paper and what it cost for the eggs (which went from $11/case to $27/case and now is around $20/case) and potatoes which are twice the price they were a month ago.

Oh and did I mention a fuel surcharge on EVERY delivery?

Add to that the labor for the kitchen, server and busser and you can see that it's isn't just about the 2 eggs and potatoes for $5.49.

There's an intrinsic value to that plate of food and I can't charge more, which means that I'm losing money on some dishes if the customer doesn't order a coffee/espresso drink or juice.

These are really hard times for us and I wanted people to know what goes into just such a plate."

Quote of the week: 'It would actually be better for me to give that person a dollar to not eat in my restaurant'

Ina Pinkney of Ina's (Photo: Taken from Ina's Restaurant web site)


That's "breakfast queen" Ina Pinkney of Ina's in a Tribune story on the current state of the restaurant industry.

Interesting.

New wine bar has no wine—yet

The Daddy brings us Fontana Grill in Uptown, yet another undiscovered new spot, but this wine bar hasn't gotten its liquor license yet.

Bonkers over Five Guys Burgers

Great.

The Stew's self-appointed "Cheeseburger Bureau Chief" Kevin Pang got folks all worked up because he announced two Chicagoland locations for the Virginia-based Five Guys Burgers and Fries chain.

Right now, the commenting thread is out of control. It's over 60 posts and counting . . . so basically the only time folks chime in is when there's a post on Starbucks, burgers or other fast-food chains. It's like crickets over there whenever the writers post something about innovative spots, hot chefs or new trends.

Interesting!

Indulge.

Get ready for the 20th annual "Royster With The Oyster," happening right outside Shaw's Crab House under The Big White Tent. (Photo: Shaw's Crab House)


It's been a wild week, with major losses on Wall Street and at home (Brasserie Ruhlmann, Avenue M), so you're going to need a bit of relief:

THURSDAY

Park 52, Jerry Kleiner's new Hyde Park spot, drops its prices and downscales the menu to appeal to those watching their wallets. Highlights include the honey & habanero glazed chicken, smothered pork chop and a 14 oz. handcut New York strip; all under $25.

You'll get yet another $25 deal over at Broadway Cellars in Edgewater. The wine-focused, contemporary American neighborhood fave hooks diners up with three mega courses that change weekly. And for an additional $5, you can complement each course with three 3 oz. wine pairings.

Wanna get down with the fashion crowd?! Your chance is tonight during a live fashion shoot for Italian designer Dismero, hosted by Factio Magazine. Party happens at 4 Art (1932 S. Halsted St.) in Pilsen, and includes fresh sushi and comped cocktails. 6-9pm. Just RSVP here to get in.

The Diva Series has settled nicely in its new home at Madame Tartine, and this week they're hosting a party for Dame Magazine, an online publication focusing on everything from fashion to passion. Get there early to meet the founders and to indulge in comped Kir Royales (7-8pm). Hot new British deejay Veritas spins soul, funk and more. 7pm-2am. No cover.

If you're out and about late night, head to RiNo for the launch of Backstage. It's kicking off with Good Charlotte's Joel Madden, who's actually a pretty talented deejay. 11pm-4am. Space limited; RSVP to bar to insure entry.

FRIDAY

It's the 20th anniversary for Meals on Wheels' Chef Celebrity Ball, one of the biggest cuisine scenes of the year. Just about every prominent local chef is involved as well as several high-profile national stars. Come for vittles by more than 50 chefs, including Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven), Michelle Garcia (Bleeding Heart Bakery), Joshua Linton (ajasteak), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Debbie Gold (The American Restaurant) and others. Come for the seated dinner, which starts at 6pm and is a hit to your wallet at $350, or head here later for the Indulgence Ball, which includes appetizers, cocktails and deejay entertainment. That's $125. Food fest takes place on the seventh floor of Macy's (111 N. State St.). Get tix at 312-744-2120.



Designer Terri Stevens, a contestant from Bravo's Season 5 "Project Runway," showcases her cutting-edge line at The Silver Room on Saturday.


The infamous Royster With The Oyster happens under The Big White Tent right outside of Shaw's Crab House in River North. As always, the event includes obscene levels of jambalaya and oyster indulgence (including the Oyster Slurping Championships), live entertainment from various blues bands, and lots of socializing. 3-10pm. $10.

For more civilized fun, head to Pops for Champagne through Sunday for specials surrounding Tour de Champagne’s stop in Chicago. Get a premium flight of Ruinart Brut Rosé and Ruinart Blanc de Blancsfor that's paired with tasting portions of pear-parsnip rabbit rillette and apple cider-brown butter pork belly for $35. And on Sunday, come back for Dom Ruinart's 1998 pre-release preview with guest speaker Frédéric Panaïotis, the cellar master at Champagne Ruinart. The event includes passed hors d’oeuvres and bubbly. 5-7pm. $20.

SATURDAY

Terri Stevens launched her fashion career in Chicago and attended Columbia College, but fans of this season's Bravo's "Project Runway" will recognize her as the feisty femme who's rocked the runway with her cutting-edge looks. Here's your chance to meet the personality at Silver Room (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave.), as she's showcasing her designs during a runway and trunk show event. Food provided by the Denim Cafe, comped drinks by A:M, and music by DJ Kwest_On. 7pm-midnight. No cover, but you must RSVP to email@thesilverroom.com.

SUNDAY

And Juicy Wine Co. is always off the deep end with its events, and this one's no exception. Today they're starting The Dirty Bird Bubble Bath. Get your mind out of the gutter. Every Sunday, this new brunch event features Harold's Fried Chicken paired with Orange Crush Waffles. DJ Puff-E spins soul. Also, half off on all glasses of sparkling wine and champagne. 11am-4pm.

Fashion(able) plates

The Pinto Box, named after local fashion designer Maria Pinto, can be found at Sepia. (Photo: Lara Kastner)


Sepia teams up with new next-door neighbor designer Maria Pinto (peep her threads on muse Michelle Obama) for the Pinto Box, which they're saying is "for those fashionably on the go, an all-in-one stylish lunchbox."

Custom-made for Sepia, the hand-crafted Pinto Box was designed by Brent Rourke, a cabinet maker and creator of Canadian-based Shaker oval boxes and carriers.

Executive Chef Kendal Duque and Pastry Chef Cindy Schuman will offer rotating menus with three seasonal choices (appetizer, entree, dessert), like a daily flatbread, Amish chicken with apples, as well as a sweet potato spice cake bread pudding with caramel thyme ice cream. Available Monday - Friday 11:30am-2pm for $18.

Province ready to open?!

Randy Zweiban's Province had its "friends and family" sneak preview event last night, so it looks like it should be opening this weekend as scheduled.

Working on getting more info on what went down . . .

UPDATE: In the meantime, Zweiban's released his opening menu, which is surprisingly very budget friendly. It offers "small," "big" and "bigger" entrees, including a spice-rubbed grilled Ahi tuna taco with serrano chile tartar salsa ($8), slow-roasted Gunthorp Farms pork with rice beans and braised greens ($10/$19) and 10-hour braised lamb with eggplant, chorizo and cornbread ($12/$22).

UPDATE 2: It opens today!

UPDATE 3: A tipster who was there last night tells me: "The steak was delicious. . . baby pork taquitos were fairly small and were only $3 . . . pretty room, nice service, price points were perfect for this challenged economy." He loved the shrimp & grits with manchego cheese, and the grilled beef tenderloin drizzled with housemade steak sauce was also a big hit.

Debbie Sharpe of Cru Wine Bar & Cafe was also in the house.

Give me some sugar

Katherine Anne Confections' truffles will be featured at Crimson's "Sweetest Singles Party" tonight. (Photo: Katherine Anne Confections)


Why wait for Saturday to celebrate Sweetest Day?! Tonight's all about the singles as Crimson Lounge is hoping to gather the city's sexiest crowd. They're wooing them with $5 Kilo Kai rum cocktails and desserts courtesy of Katherine Anne Confections. Proceeds benefit LIFT. 8pm-midnight. No cover.

Whether you come tonight or this weekend, Chaise Lounge's new exec chef Cary Taylor—who was the star at the recent Chicago Gourmet event—is offering 312DiningDiva.com readers 10 percent off their total bill until Nov. 1. We hear the crabcakes are to die for.

Southport's Galleria Liqueurs hosts its annual grand champagne tasting. You'll get to sample more than 10 top brands, including Moet and Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. 6-8pm. $10.

It's time for Marche's 15th anniversary, and they're doing it up by bringing back all those wacky events for which they've become infamous. Look for S&M artists, mod burlesque performances and Dr. Seuss characters strolling through the space as guests nosh on signature dishes by former Marche chefs Michael Kornick, John Bubala and Paul Wildermuth. They'll be joined by current chef Matt Tobin. Fifteen raffle prizes will include gift certificates for Marché, Opera, Gioco and Red Light. 8pm-2am. $20 ($5 goes to Perspectives Charter Schools).

Attention, single gals: A host of hot, eligible bachelors will be up for grabs—oops, I mean up for charity auction—at Martini Park. Bankers, lawyers and a frat boy (?!) will strut their stuff to raise money for the Sealed with a Wish Bachelor Auction to benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. Ten dollars gets you a free cocktail ticket (first 50 arrivals only), appetizers and $7 specialty martinis. Check out the talent here. 6-9pm. $10.

And the Inspired By Pink Party happens at Townhouse Restaurant & Wine Bar, raising money for breast cancer research. Event includes an open bar and appetizers. 5:30-7:30pm. $10 donation.