EXCLUSIVE: Room 21 staff laid off

What a difference a month makes. In early December, 312DD exclusively reported that Room 21 was dramatically changing its concept to more traditional Italian fare. Management assured us that they would not be closing to make these changes.

Now, an email just dropped in the inbox from an Ultimate Insider telling us that the entire staff—including the executive chef—was laid off right after New Year's Eve. There's a possibility that they may be brought back in February to revamp, but who knows at this point.

A quick call to the restaurant, and we were told that they're closed in January, but "would be opening again at some point."

This economy really sucks.

It's cold outside, but it's hot in ...

Sonotheque hosts a "Brazilian New Year's Eve" similar to this one in South America.


THURSDAY

Blue 13: Edgy River North eatery features half-price wines and a $35 three-course prix-fixe menu Tuesday-Thursday. Order anything (lobster pizza excluded), but we must have the Truffled Mac 'n' Cheese (with free-range Amish chicken), Steak and Egg on Acid (grilled beef tenderloin, sunnyside up quail egg) and "Drunken" Short Rib (Guinness braised!) right about now.

Rockit Bar & Grill: Elvis would've been 73 today, and to celebrate, get all shook up with The King (thick-cut French toast, peanut butter, bananas, whipped cream, topped with toasted peanuts) for $12. Rockit's serving it all day long.

Sonotheque: The monthly Braziliance party does a New Year's Eve in Rio theme, with Joe Bryl spinning exotic beats and specialty South American-themed cocktails like the Braziliance, which is a twist on the classic mojito with Maker's Mark. 9pm-2am. Free before 10pm; $5 after.



Celebrate Elvis' 73rd birthday today with "The King," only at Rockit Bar & Grill. (Photo: Rockit Bar & Grill)


FRIDAY

Eno at the Fairmont: Big Willies can peel off $$$ for a tasting of the rare 1935 Barros White Colheita that's $90 for a one ounce tasting portion or $850 per bottle. If you go, 312DD will be happy to be your guest. 4-11pm.

Five Star Bar and Grill: Scotch fans can indulge in comped specialty Chivas 18 cocktails, or get their drinks neat or on the rocks. The rep will hit this hard rockin' West Town tavern 8:30-10:30pm. No cover.

Le Passage: The monthly Economic Stimulus Package Party happens tonight with comped drinks 10-11:30pm. RSVP to LPinfo@lepassage.com for free admission; stay for deejays spinning all the latest beats till 4am.

Park Grill: Did you have a hard time getting back in the groove this week?! If you're in the Loop, head to Millennium Park for another Chivas 18 event with signature scotch cocktails. 6-8pm. No cover.

SATURDAY

Red & White: The minimalist Wicker Park wine shop hosts its weekly tasting with four different vinos from Cream Wine Co. 2-5pm. Free.

The Violet Hour: For the New Year, the trend-setting saloon has added new cocktails, including The Velvet Fog (Wild Turkey 101 rye, Punt e Mes, dark crème de cacao and Nux Alpina Walnut liqueur) and The Lady Clover (Beefeater, lemon, blackberry syrup, egg white and Peychaud's bitters). 9pm-2am. No cover.

SUNDAY

Moonshine: The under-the-radar neighborhood favorite offers one of the best brunches in Wicker Park: $7 Bloody Mary bar; $3 drafts; $10 pitchers of Miller Lite; $9.95 homestyle fried chicken. And don't worry about dragging your ass out of bed early. It's served all day long.

Orange in South Loop closing

Drive-Thru scoops everyone on the news that Sunday is the last day you can do brunch at Orange on Harrison.

Never thought I'd see the day . . .

Blackbird's dining room. (Photo: Doug Fogelson/DRFP)


. . . when Blackbird would offer a three-course lunch for $15!

The trend-setting, West Loop restaurant launched the new program in December, but we totally missed it because of all the holidaze craze.

So the deal is that customers get a salad, the choice between Chef Mike Sheerin's short rib burger or Chef Paul Kahan's legendary fish sandwich (that puts Mickey Dee's Filet o' Fish to shame), home-style fries and dessert. The burger is a generous patty of short rib with Taleggio, black garlic, pommes frites and carrot tahini salad. And the seared whitefish sandwich, which has been on the menu since Blackbird opened, is served with lemon-and-herb aïoli, gribiche, roasted tomato and homemade potato salad.

A number of great desserts are on the menu, but we suggest getting those piping-hit donuts to enjoy back at work.

It's His Day!

Time to count down to Jan. 20—the historic day when Barack Obama takes his rightful place as the 44th President of the United States of America. And after he's sworn in during the day, he'll be partying all night.

While Obama's setting it off in D.C., we'll of course be partying our asses off here in his hometown, but if you don't have the dough to attend the official Inauguration Ball at McCormick Place, 312DD's got you covered with a number of happenings all over town:

Both Berry Chill locations (also at Ogilvie Station) are giving away free Berry Obama chilled yogurt to customers all Inauguration Day. That's five ounces of original chilled yogurt topped with fresh pomegranate, coconut and blueberries to signify the red, white and blue of the American flag.

Sip La Margarita Del Presidente (a red, white and blue margarita for $10) at Carnivale, as you watch the events unfold on one of the flat screens in the lounge.

Planning your own bash?! Get tips at the Dazzling Dinner Party Appetizers class at Chopping Block Lincoln Square. You'll learn how to whip up tight little bites like Yukon Gold potato blini with smoked salmon, caviar and creme fraiche; shrimp cakes with tarragon aioli; potato, truffle and fontina tart; and roasted beef tenderloin crostini with horseradish sauce. 7pm Jan. 12. $80.

Get on the list now for the party hosted by swanky hotel bar Crimson Lounge. Arrive early (8-9pm) for the cocktail reception; stay late for lounging. 8pm-2am. RSVP to gina@crimsonlounge.com for admission.

C-Change happens at C-View, the glamorous penthouse lounge on top of the Affinia Hotel. Indulge in a number of specialty cocktails (Bon Voyage, All American), plus comped appetizers and desserts like BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, chorizo mac 'n' cheese, Stars & Stripes cupcakes and chocolate brownies. Live music by the Josh Burke Duo. 6-11pm. No cover.

You can get half-price glasses of wine (regularly $8) at Chen’s Chinese and Sushi while watching the parties and recaps in the lounge.

Chill out in the sexy Cityscape lounge with panoramic views of the city and four flatscreen monitors to watch Obama dance the night away. Specials include the Obama-Tini ($7), plus $4 on house wine and domestic bottles of beer.

David Burke’s Primehouse offers a week-long inauguration lunch special happening Jan. 19-23. You get three courses of anything on the menu for $20.09. 11:30am-2:30pm. On Inauguration Day, you don't want to miss the Celebrate Change Cocktail Party happening in the lobby bar of the restaurant. Set includes complimentary nibbles from Executive Chef Rick Gresh’s new Small Bites, Big Flavor menu, including Firecracker Duck Rolls, Mini Burkers and dry-aged sirloin tacos. $5 mini cocktails like the Razzamatazz and Flapjack (Dewar’s, bacon & maple syrup) will also be served. 5-7pm.

Has Obama fever finally reached the Chicago Young Republicans?! Find out at Dugan's Drinking Emporium, as they host an Inaugural After-Party with cocktails and apps. 5:30-8pm. $20-$50 (free for members).

Get an early start on the celebrating at Dunlays on the Square, which opens at 10am for diners to view the festivities all day long. This is the spot to bring the kiddies to watch the historic occasion as they eat free from 4:30-6pm, plus you'll get a free glass of champagne. Also, don't miss out on the $5 OBOMB shots.

The Presidential Pairing happens Jan. 20-23 at wine and chocolate lounge Eno, with a glass of Graham Beck Brut (a reported Obama favorite sparkling wine) and a piece of Gail Ambrosius’ Dark Chocolate covered caramel topped with Fleur de Sel (The New York Times reported it's his fave). That's $15, but if you give the wine manager Obama's Secret Service code name, you'll get it for $10.

A wild time will be had at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club as they celebrate with the Alternative Inauguration Day Ball. Party includes complimentary bubbly, half-price martinis (O-Bomb, Go Green), coverage on five giant, gold-framed screens and a Tarot card reader telling you your future under the new leadership. As expected, the sassy Kit Kat Divas will perform. Special party happens 5:30-8:30pm for $25; Kit Kat Divas perform 7pm-1am.

The All-Chicago People’s Inauguration Ball occurs on Jan. 18 at Martyr's, with live ethnic music, poetry and a dance party. Afro-pop ensemble Ghanatta and DJ Warp perform during the dance party, which happens 7-11pm. Hosted by Partisan Arts International. Doors open at 4pm for the all-ages event. $5 before 7pm; $15 after.

Nacional 27 master mixologist Adam Seger shakes up the Heirloom Apple Baracktail for you to enjoy at the restaurant or at home during your own celebration. The refreshing recipe serves four to six, and comes in a glass pitcher with fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, Northshore Gin, one fresh apple and orange slice.

More than 240 flatscreens will show the ceremonies at Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grille, plus they're serving up two $5 cocktails to fit the occasion: Barack on the Rocks (Blue Curacao, orange juice, Sprite) and Barack’s Blue Martini (Vodka, Blue Curacao, lemonade).

Tasting Room's monthly Third Tuesday Tasting event features a special theme to commemorate the day. They're serving up the best vino of 2008, which will include more than 30 rosés, whites and sparkling wine paired with appetizers in the city view lounge. Those wines will also be discounted that evening at the adjacent Randolph Wine Cellars. Space is limited; reservations required. 6-8pm. $30.

'Eat It Up Chicago' returns

Naha is one of many returning participants in "Chicago Restaurant Week…eat it up!," happening in February.


312DD told you exclusively last month about the second-annual Chicago Restaurant Week…eat it up! returning in Feburary.

And, as promised, we've got more deets:

Host Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau just unveiled the official site for the weeklong fest here, which is taking place at more than 130 restaurants around town, including newcomers The Drawing Room, Lux Bar, Le Colonial, La Madia, Topolobampo, Prosecco and others offering some great deals. River North's swanky Naha is one of many returning participants.

Look for Chicago Restaurant Week to happen Feb. 20-27, with three-course prix-fixe menus of $22 for lunch and $32 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity).

What's happening next?!

Tiny Lounge photo courtesy of Urban Daddy Chicago.


Stars to watch in early 2009:

We've been waiting for two years for the return of Tiny Lounge, and now word comes down that it's back on Wednesday. New home is in North Center/Lincoln Square, and in addition to the extensive cocktail menu, they'll offer small bites.

The guys behind Bon V bang out their second project at the end of the month. Look for Faith & Whiskey, a hard-rockin' joint with whiskey as the poison of choice, to open in the old Ta'too space in Lincoln Park.

Bar DeVille's been around since November, but they haven't officially unveiled what's going to set it apart from all the other 'hood spots in Ukrainian Village. A room way in the back holds a "speakeasy"-type lounge complete with deejay and a bar hidden in the wall. They're working on opening it by February.

Remember iCream?! That futuristic ice-cream parlor that opened in Wicker Park late last summer, then closed like two weeks later because something supposedly happened to the liquid-nitrogen tanks responsible for cranking out more than 31 flavors? Well, it's planning to reopen by the end of the month. Great timing, guys.

Purgatory Pizza's been around for a few months, but we're excited about the Sunday Hip-Hop Brunch Series starting on Feb. 8. For $13, you'll get MCs, deejays and an all-you-can-eat-and-drink fiesta. 11am-3pm.

River North's upscale sports lounge Bull & Bear, which had a few setbacks and was supposed to open on New Year's Eve, aims again for a mid-January opening. The same guys also own Stone Lotus and they're assuring us that they're on target this time.

Sunda, the highly anticipated Asian concept by Rockit Ranch Productions, debuts in late February in River North, right down the street from its celeb magnet Underground.

And we'd almost given up hope that Loft Six Ten would ever open in the old Paje space in Wicker Park. So much drama going on over there, but they're really, really working on opening in the next few weeks.

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Graham Elliot Bowles, whose stylish namesake River North eatery caused a stir in 2008 for its carefree takes on classic dishes and cocktails, celebrates his big day on Jan. 4.

Happy Birthday, Graham!