Ne-Yo showed up!

R&B superstar Ne-Yo at Outfit's party at Lumen Friday. (Photo: Lumen)


You never know if these celebrities will actually show up to their "official" after-parties, but this just dropped in the mailbag:

"At the official after-party for the concert, Ne-Yo came in (Lumen) to guest host, hung out with fans and did an impromptu performance of his hit billboard song 'Closer.'"

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Paul Virant, executive chef/owner of Vie in Western Springs. (Photo: Paul Virant)


Bar owner Brian Galati (Feb. 22) heats things up in Lakeview with his tropical island themed Uncle Fatty’s Rum Resort. And keep your eye out this summer for his next new spot, Draft Tavern and Urban Grille, in Jefferson Park.

Zach Friedlander (Feb. 24) keeps the drinks flowing in West Town as mixologist for the cool, yet sophisticated rock bar Relax Lounge.

Sarah Stegner (Feb. 25) makes the classics classy with her market fresh takes on the tried-and-true traditionals as executive chef and co-owner of Prairie Grass Café.

And Paul Virant (Feb. 25) is the man behind Western Spring’s Vie, serving seasonal contemporary American cuisine at the first restaurant in the area to serve alcohol since prohibition.--Served deliciously by Suzy M.

What they're saying on Facebook . . .

The Chicago Free Press awarded Jim Lasky's Chaise Lounge the "Golden Spoon." He's shown here with wife, Mary. (Photo: Jim Lasky)


Michael Artel (Executive Chef/Cafe Med by Bice): "Had no clue, it is National Pancake Week!"

James R. Lasky (Restaurateur): "Thrilled, Chaise Lounge won a Golden Spoon for Top Restaurant."

Mark Mendez (Executive Chef/Carnivale): "Wants to do Latino version of Ratatouille, and call it Sofrito."

Carrie Nahabedian (Chef/Owner Naha): "Doing a soup benefit on Sunday at Custom House to benefit the Greater Food Depository...only $15..come out and support the cause! 1-4pm."

Salad Spinners: "The HOT ROLLS are coming soon."

Sarah Stegner (Executive Chef/Prairie Grass Cafe): "Working on menu idea for Sunday breakfast."

It's Getting Hot: 'Hell's Kitchen," Restaurant Week

Ben Walanka, executive sous chef at Rhapsody, is the only Chicago chef competing on Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen." (Photo: Ben Walanka)


It's been a busy month for local restaurants, particularly this week, with Chicago Restaurant Week, Chicago Chef Week and National Pancake Week all happening at the same time.

Throw in appearances by rock star spinner DJ Kiss and mega-R&B singer Ne-Yo, and let's just say our city is on fi-yah:

THURSDAY

Bravo's crowned a new "Top Chef," but the competition's still hot and heavy on Gordon Ramsay's mad intense chef-competition "Hell's Kitchen," which is on at 8pm tonight on FOX. You can catch Chicago's own Ben Walanka, who's the exec sous chef at Rhapsody, busting his ass as one of the show's top contestants. Or, you can check him out at the restaurant, where he's there every night.

Cellar Rat's doing yet another freebie, y'all, so I'd get in on that reservation ASAP. This time they're offering guests Thai cuisine and wine pairings. 5-8pm. Reservations highly recommended.

Did you hold onto your "Slumdog Millionaire" ticket stub?! If yes, bring it into hot Indian eatery Marigold for 15 percent off your bill until March 22 (Friday, Saturday excluded). Limit one ticket stub per table.

The MidWasteland joins forces with Pivot (1101 W. Fulton Market, 312-243-4754) for the launch of the Original Eco vintage launch party. Sip vintage-inspired cocktails as you rifle through loads and loads of retro and contemporary clothing. Also: 30% off new Pivot merchandise with the purchase of any vintage item on the night of the event. 6-9pm. Free.

Full Force is back at Sonotheque, this time featuring a free party with pioneering hip-hop jazz DJ Greyboy. That's 9pm-2am, but head next door to Relax Lounge first for Dine With Dale. The "Top Chef" alum whips up a $30, three-course dinner that includes buttermilk oysters, grilled Mahi Mahi and panna cotta. Also get 20 percent off on cocktails, wine and sparkling wine. That's 7-9pm.

FRIDAY

Get a sugar high right after work with the cocktail-inspired, "happy hour" cupcakes at More. They're passing out complimentary treats every Friday 5-7pm in flavors like margarita, piña colada, Cuba libre and mojito. Or, you can also indulge in assorted Champagne-inspired cupcakes—in Bellini, Kir Royale and mimosa.



More offers cocktail-inspired cupcakes every Friday after work. (Photo: More)


The Make-A-Wish Foundation's annual Wish Ball is a big deal to a lot of folks (last year they had Ellen DeGeneres and raised more than $1 mil in one night!), so if you want to know who's hosting this year, try to get to the pre-party happening at Rockit Bar & Grill. Party includes food and cocktails. 6-8pm. $30 in advance; $35 at door.

SATURDAY

It's the last evening to TOAST on The Magnificent Mile, the month-long, Moët & Chandon-sponsored event celebrating Michigan Avenue and all its luxury shops, night spots and restaurants. Peep all the events happening right here, which include 6:30pm fireworks at Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River (with viewing at 401 N. Michigan Ave.), Bistro & Bubbles at Bistro 110 and 25 percent off Moët & Chandon bottles at China Grill.

SUNDAY

Purgatory Pizza's all-you-can-eat pizza brunch is finally under way at the new-ish Wrigleyville spot. Local MCs, beer and pizza—all for $13. Phillip Morris hosts with friends each week. 11am-3pm.

And soup's on at Custom House, as local chefs go head to head with their signature hot sippers. Participants include Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA/Perennial), Bill Kim (Urban Belly) and Carrie Nahabedian (Naha); ABC-7’s lifestyle reporter and “Hungry Hound” Steve Dolinsky serves as one of the judges. Guests get sample sizes of all entries, plus discounted cocktails, wine and beer. All proceeds benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 1-4pm. $15.

Florence does Oprah!

Look who just updated his Facebook Status:

(Celebrity Chef/Food Network star) Tyler Florence: "I'm heading to Chicago to shoot Oprah's show on Friday."

It'll be interesting to see where he'll go to chow down after the taping, but he's gotten at least one invite from a Chicago chef:

Roger Herring: "Tyler don't forget about socca? The pizzettes from Art (Smith)'s house last year!"

Ne-Yo in Chicago?!

Super-aggressive club promoters Outfit claim that mega-R&B star Ne-Yo is the first guest of honor at their new Friday-night party at Lumen.

You know how these things go, but we'll be watching to see if Ne-Yo will actually show up after his Year of The Gentleman Tour at Chicago Theater.

That party's 9pm-2am.

Stack 'em up high!

Noooooo one can make pancakes like my momma, but you'll get a close second during National Pancake Week running through Friday as restaurants in the city celebrate:

It's hard as hell to get into Wicker Park mainstay Bongo Room on weekends, but you always get a lucky break during the week. Sneak in for lunch and order the White Chocolate & Caramel Covered Pretzel Pancakes (crushed pretzel coated pancakes topped with warm white chocolate cream and topped with buttery caramel) or Lemon Ricotta Pancakes topped with crushed ginger snap and brown sugar butter.

David Burke's Primehouse offers a number of sweet and savory options especially for the occasion. For breakfast, indulge in the decadent PB & J Half Dollar Stacks with strawberry syrup or the Chocolate Pancakes with bananas and dried cherry syrup. And during lunch, the unique savory takes include Steak & Egg Pancakes (with mushroom, caramelized onion and spinach), Lobster Pancakes (with truffle butter and chili threads) or Pepper Salmon & Corn Pancakes with preserved onion and caviar crema.

Iconic breakfast joint Ina's, in the West Loop, knows a little something about pancakes, too. Owner Ina Pinkney's been cooking her version of traditional breakfast favorites for more than 30 years, and her Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes are not to be missed—especially when you toss in fresh bananas or blueberries.

Southern-style stacks can be found at Sweet Maple Cafe, in Little Italy. Their Apple Spice Pancakes are certainly filling, and go down good with a side order of bone-in ham or turkey sausage.

And we cannot make this list without Wishbone, with locations in the West Loop and Lakeview. The Fruit Pancakes should start off any day with a smile. Choose from seasonal fresh mango, peach, blueberry, banana or strawberry.

More cheers for beer

My fellow craft beer buds, you don't want to miss these events:

Doesn't the thought of a Stouts & Porters Tasting make your mouth water?! They may still have a few seats left for tonight's event at Bluebird, which includes a dozen global beers from St. Amroise Oatmeal Stout (Montreal) to Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout (Warrenville, Ill.). Twenty-five bucks also gets you brats and snacks. Reservations required. 7:30pm.

Sheffield’s beer school is in session, this time pairing suds with slices from Ian's Pizza. Their wacky mac 'n' cheese pizza, plus those topped with S'Mores, BBQ chicken and a salad (?!) will be artfully complemented with selections from beer expert Phil Kuhl. $25. Reservations required. Wednesday.

Or for a less-structured event Wednesday, head to West Loop hang The Beer Bistro for $2 cans of Hamm’s, PBR, Schlitz, Old Style or Point. OK, so those aren't nowhere near craft beers, but they'll perfectly pair with the beer-battered chicken fingers, BLT Club or one of their specialty pizzas. Happens every week.

Annual schmoozefest Wine, Beer & Art Party, hosted by 20/30 Club of Chicago, happens at Mars Gallery (1139 W. Fulton Market). Get ready for a well-picked selection of beer and wine. All proceeds benefit Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Horizons For Youth, HFS Chicago Scholars and MGR Foundation. 7-11pm Feb. 27. $35 in advance; $40 at door.

The Publican premieres the Monthly Beer Dinner Series on March 1 with the debut of Executive Chef Paul Kahan's Banana 7-Inch, a banana beer he created with Three Floyds. The four-course dinner is served family style, and reservations are highly recommended. $45 for dinner (additional $20 for beer pairings). 5-10pm.

And a special Unibroue Beer Dinner occurs at C-House with commentary by the brewer's own culinary attaché Jim Javenkoski. He'll guide guests through the five-course menu paired with the Belgian-inspired ales. Just tell us when the suckling pig arrives piping hot with the White Ale with Fruit and Spices. That's 6-8pm March 5. $40 (reservations required).