Let the Good Times Roll!

The Krewe of Isis on the Mardi Gras Parade route in New Orleans. (Photo: nola.com)


Today's the today for your Fat Tuesday parties, and 312DD's got your list right here.

Also, peep Dining Chicago's video feature on new-ish Cajun-themed spot YATS in the West Loop.

Chicago Restaurant Week: 'Jai Ho' joints

For those craving authentic Indian cuisine on the cheap after the big "Slumdog Millionaire" blowout, here's where to go during Chicago Restaurant Week for the deals:

India House Restaurant

Indian Garden Restaurant

Klay Oven

Coming our way this week!

New York mix minx DJ Kiss just updated her Facebook Status:

"Just finished spinning a crazy Oscar party for Madonna and Demi Moore!"

No wonder 312DD couldn't get her on the phone all weekend! We.Cannot.Wait until she plays Sub 51 on Thursday. They're also doing half-priced bottles on Snow Queen vodka, so that should be another incentive to be there!

What they're saying on Facebook . . .

Cafe Med by Bice executive chef Michael Artel (Photo: Michael Artel)


Ajasteak: "Enjoying RESTAURANT WEEK so much that we're extending our lunch menu full time! 3 course pre-fixe menu $22."

Michael Artel (Chef/Cafe Med by Bice): "Back @ work. Come in and eat."

The Bleeding Heart: "Freakin awesome Valentine's Day. Thank you so much to all our customers! New cupcake flavors this week, we'll keep you posted!"

Kevin Boehm (Partner/Boka): "Ready for Chicago Chef Week."

Graham Elliot Bowles (Chef/Owner graham elliot): "Dined at The Bristol last night, wondering why it took me so long to get there."

Stephanie Izard (Owner/Chef The Drunken Goat): "Hanging at south beach food and wine fest! good times!"

Joncarl Lachman (Chef/HB Home Bistro): "Making zwaardvis met zuurkool (swordfish with braised cabbage, duck sausage, mashed potatoes, parsley)."

Paul Virant (Owner/Chef Vie) "Going to Chalkboard tonight with wife and friends."

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Birthday Boy Marc Brooks just added a Shrimp & Grits dish to the menu at Park 52. (Photo: Marc Brooks)


Haaaaaaappppppy Biiiirthday!

Park 52’s Marc Brooks (Feb. 15) brings a little more pizzazz to the Hyde Park ‘hood with some much needed casual, yet sophisticated American bistro cuisine.

Janine MacLachlan (Feb. 16) is a one-woman show as the instructor and principal of Saturday cooking classes at the Rustic Kitchen. She’s turned an 1881 farmhouse into the prime location for teaching seasonal garden-grown recipes in Saginaw, Mich.—only a short drive from the city.

Mix mistress Valerie Scheinpflug (Feb. 16) holds nothing back as the one and only DJ Psycho Bitch. She’s been mixing tracks around Chicago for two decades as a master of the underground music scene. Help celebrate her birthday bash at Scarlet in Lakeview. That's 8pm-3am Saturday.

Eric Williams (Feb. 17) is best known as the owner of hipster jewelry shop The Silver Room in Wicker Park. And those really in the know likely go check him out when he's spinning his cool brand of hip-hop soul over at Sonotheque. He also does a monthly, booze-soaked, after-hours party at TSR on Saturdays.—Served deliciously by Suzy M.

The most decadent Sliders . . . ever

Three variations of foie gras torchon as Sliders, created by Phillip Foss of Lockwood (Photo: Lockwood)


This right here is why we love Phillip Foss, exec chef at Lockwood.

In his blog, The Pinkled Tongue, Foss describes his decadent gourmet Sliders:

"We practiced this a few weeks ago for a tasting menu and was posted onto the blog thereafter… Foie Sliders, Version 1

To keep it from being way too expensive in the current climate, the truffles have been removed. On the bright side, we are serving each Slider in a different style:

1 - Tokai gelee with persimmons compote

2 - Port gelee with fig compote

3 - Pear Cognac (Belle de Brillet) gelee with quince compote… the pear gelee would make a great jello shot for a Harvard frat party!

We’ll see how this dish goes, but I could see how the amount of steps involved in the preparation could complicate our kitchen’s service… worst case scenario would be that we will serve it in only one preparation.

Besides for that, the torchon is time consuming but surely worthwhile. Frustratingly, whoever cut out the discs of foie gras for this photo didn’t put the ring mold in hot water first, hence the jagged edges. As this was for the server’s training and the picture still gets the point across, I let it slide… no pun intended."

Let's Stimulate the City!

So, so, so much going on the next few days, so let's get right to it.

This weekend we've got Oscars parties, Chicago Restaurant Week and the debut of Chicago Chef Week.

Up next: You don't want to miss the first-ever Chilifest, happening at Rockit Bar & Grill, plus Mardi Gras madness on Fat Tuesday.

In the meantime, get ready to rumble . . .

THURSDAY

Give it up for the man who made Cubs' games more than just another day at the ballpark. It's time for the Annual Toast to Harry Caray, now in its 11th year at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse. The theme of this year’s tribute is 101, marking 101 years since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. No matter where you are in the world, lift your glass at 7pm. The first 101 fans to arrive for the toast at any of the Harry Caray locations (also Lombard, Rosemont, Wrigleyville) get a complimentary replica pair of Harry’s signature glasses and "Cubs Fan, Bud Man" hat. Also, 101 cent Buds throughout the day for all.

It's time for the annual SMACKDOWN mac and cheese cook-off, happening at Goose Island. A number of local high-profile chefs go head to head with their best recipes, including Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Stephanie Izard ("Top Chef," The Drunken Goat), John Chiakulas (Mity Nice, Foodlife), Amalia Obermeier-Smith (Kuma’s Corner), Chris Pandel (The Bristol) and Roger Herring (Socca). Proceeds benefit Organic School Project, an initiative in the Chicago Public Schools teaching children about more mindful food and lifestyle choices. 6-10pm. $75 in advance; $100 at door.

SUB 51, the lower-level party spot of HUB 51, is doing its part to encourage you to get out and about with the brand-new Snow Queen Thursdays. Guests get half off on bottles of Snow Queen vodka, as deejays spin the usual hip-hop, rock and pop beats. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Could you possibly resist this deal at Cafe Selmarie?! Tonight's $20 prix-fixe menu includes soup, lobster ravioli, ruby red trout and a choice of dessert from the in-house bakery. Best deal of the day!

One of my fave house deejays of all time, Mark Grant, spins alongside Craig Alexander at new Wicker Park sensation Crocodile for the weekly US party. As always, there's free pizza when you order beer. 9pm-2am. Free to get in.



The "Annual Toast to Harry Caray" happens everywhere Thursday at 7pm.


FRIDAY

Dunlays on the Square, the popular neighborhood wine bar, is now embracing beer. Choose from more than 30 brands, as well as five different flights. Each beer flight features three, five ounce pours, and Dunlays rotates them, highlighting seasonal and styles of beer. Flights are $6-$16.

Indulge in a little bit of culture with SENstudio, an art show by local artist Cleveland Dean at Par Lounge. Check out his style during the wine reception (7-10pm), and stay for DJ Marcus. Also, $4 sangria, $5 Bacardi cocktails, $5 vodka drinks. 6pm-2am. Free.

SATURDAY

Vermilion, the hip Indian restaurant in River North, throws a—you guessed it!—Slumdog Millionaire bash. The pre-Oscar party includes a troupe of Bollywood dancers who'll teach you the "Jai Ho" moves, spicy specialty cocktails (Pani Puri margarita, blood orange chili Caipirinha, garam masala Bloody Mary) and "street" Bombay cuisine (Kabab platter, Chaat platter, Dhaba Thali, Mithai). Deejays spin after 9pm. $15 after 9:30pm.

SUNDAY

Chicago's Twitterati community convenes for Brunch and Tweets! , starting at Yolk and ending up at the Art Institute of Chicago. It's a BYOB event, so bring your bottle as well as biz cards. Art Institute is free all month! 11am-4pm. RSVP at jen@jenchicago.com to reserve your spot.

MONDAY

Now here's a novel idea! Lush Wine & Spirits launches its first-ever Lush Reads ~ Book Club, for those book—and wine enthusiasts. Taking place every six weeks at the Roscoe Village location, they're starting with Making Sense of Wine by Matt Kramer, a great philosophical and practical introduction to wine. 6:30-8pm. Your $10 cover includes light bites, wine and a spirited discussion. Reservations recommended.

Yum-fest

Rockit's trio of Chicago Firehouse, Rockit Rockshrimp and Four Alarm Chili. (Photo: Rockit Bar & Grill)


Get ready for Chilifest, happening only at Rockit Bar and Grill Feb. 23-27.

They're doing a different chili every day (we're digging on the Rockit Rockshrimp and Big Bubba’s Buffalo Barn Burner), but the added bonus for this first-ever event is that they're giving a free bowl to members of the Chicago Fire Department (show a valid badge and identification).