What they're saying on Facebook . . .

David Richards, of Sweets & Savories, is creating "Bacon Waffles" for brunch service this weekend. (Photo: Sweets & Savories)


Rodney Alex (Owner/Juicy Wine Co.): "Waiting to taste some new Goose Island Beers with (owner) Greg (Hall). Maybe we will sit on the deck."

Jimmy Bannos (Owner/Executive Chef Heaven on Seven): "Had a great meal at Publican last night I can still taste the awesome Duck Hearts."

Jesse De La Pena (Deejay/Producer): "Spinning @ Junior's on Cermak tonite."

Elizabeth Palmer (Wine Director/Carnivale): "Taking inspiration from this weather, Spring wine list changes on the brain."

David Richards (Executive Chef/Sweets & Savories): "Working on recipe for Bacon Waffles for Sunday Brunch."

Shin Thompson (Owner/Chef Bonsoiree): "Will be cooking at the historic James Beard House June 22nd."

Ben Walanka (Executive Sous Chef/Rhapsody): "Excited about Hells Kitchen tonight!!!........Did someone say asian fusion?"

Jon Young (Executive Chef/Kitsch'n On Roscoe): "Getting ready for the Chili Cook-Off this Saturday!"

Chefs on FIRE!

Ben Walanka (at very top), of Rhapsody restaurant, is competing on chef-driven show "Hell's Kitchen." (Photo: FOX)


So, I'm gonna give props to Ben Walanka again.

He's the only Chicago chef (from the Chicago Symphony Center's Rhapsody) competing on Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen," which airs at 8pm tonight on FOX. He caused a lot of drama last week by getting into it with a couple of teammates, so if you've missed episodes, you can check them out here.

Another Chicago chef shaking things up is Lockwood's Phillip Foss, whose Chicago-Style Lobster "Haute" Dog is making mouths water all over town.

And finally, Chicago Chef Week continues through Friday.

Here's what else is going on:

THURSDAY

Goose Island head honcho Greg Hall gushed a couple of days ago on Facebook that he was releasing a new beer today. Night Stalker is the third beer in the Fulton Wood Series, and also pays homage to the Chicago-based television show from the 1970s. It's a jet black, dry-hopped Imperial Stout that's extremely rich and full flavored with malt and chocolate followed by a bright dry hopped aroma. You can also get it at the Wrigleyville location.

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! kicks off Orange Festival with Craft Beer Bodega. You'll get 20 beers for $20, along with passed Pintxos appetizers. 6-8pm.

If vino's more your thing, head to Vivo for the weekly wine tasting. Twenty dollars will get you a number of well-selected varieties from 5-7pm. And if you decide to stay for dinner after the event, you'll get 20 percent off the dinner bill.

We told you a few weeks ago about Lincoln Park newcomer Faith & Whiskey's Thursday night live music series. It launches tonight with local cover band The Walk-Ins. Check 'em out while enjoying $1 domestic bottles. 9pm-1:30am. No cover.



Mario Romay is the man behind Groove Parlor, and his monthly after-hours party, "Soul Joy," happens at The Silver Room Saturday. (Photo: Groove Parlor)


FRIDAY

Tonight's the last night for Chicago Restaurant Week, so check out some places you've always wanted to try like Crofton on Wells, Klay Oven or Old Town Brasserie. More than 130 local spots are participating with deal-icious three-course, prix-fixe lunches ($22) and three-course, prix-fixe dinners ($32).

SATURDAY

How excited are you about the thought of the 10th Annual Jack Daniel’s Chili Cook-Off?! Happening at Sidetrack, the daylong event will include 20 competing restaurants, including Kitsch'n On Roscoe. 2-6pm. $10 cover benefits the Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Live out your "American Idol" fantasy at the Nicklebee Idol Charity Fundraiser Sing-Off, happening at Globe Pub. Winner of contest gets an all-expense paid trip to Vegas, but you get two comped cocktails. 7-10pm. $20. To find out more about Nicklebee, go here. 7-10pm.

Motel Bar is four years old, so stop by for comped drinks and food (8-9pm), then keep the party going until 3am. Deejay spins "funky" beats. No cover.

Late-night party people need to be at Groove Parlor's monthly fete happening at Silver Room. The Soul Joy party includes hot deejay performances by Vick Lavender, Mario Romay and Celeste Alexander. 10pm-4am. No cover. BYOB.

SUNDAY

The Hearty Boys are back with brunch! 312DD and The Daddy went on opening day a few weeks back and the line was out the door. And who could blame them?! We got piping hot biscuits and waffles to tide us over before our entrees arrived. Highlights include a Breakfast Shepherd's Pie (layer of creamy chive scrambled eggs topped with crumbled sage breakfast sausage and shredded hash browns) and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with lingonberry compote. Oh, and don't miss the Tang Mimosas and Bloody Mary Flight (Bloody Mary, Bloody Bull and Bloody Caesar). 9am-2pm. Everything's a la carte and not over $12.

This is really jacked up!

Bro-mance must die!

This is why:

"Chicago’s own masculine-oriented nightspot, The Pony, will give patrons a chance to win free passes to (see 'I Love You Man,') t-shirts, official movie cups, beer pong paraphernalia, among other prizes. Men and their friends can raise a glass to one another with The Pony’s featured drink specials."

Woot?!

That party happens Friday, March 13 7-9pm.


Also, if you haven't already heard, tonight's the first-ever DIVO Series, hosted by Maven—the same folks behind The Diva Series. This time they're honoring local dude hot shots in the media, entertainment, sports and other fields at hyper-masculine hangout Bull & Bear.

Party includes comped Chivas scotch (6-7pm) and socializing until 9pm. Free.

What they're saying on Facebook . . .

Michelle Garcia, owner of Bleeding Heart, features Death's Door Spirits' organic whiskey in her pastries in March. (Photo: Bleeding Heart Bakery)


Grant Achatz (Owner/Executive Chef Alinea): "Looking for a space for a new concept. Lincoln Park and/or Bucktown areas."

Bleeding Heart Bakery: "Flavor of the month...whiskey!! Tarts, cupcakes, truffles, cakes and brownies all soaked in whiskey from Death's Door Spirits!"

Homaro Cantu (Chef/Owner Moto/Otom): "Making toast that is impossible to burn."

Graham Elliot Bowles (Owner/Executive Chef graham elliot): "Excited about the changes that are afoot at the restaurant!"

Gregory Hall (Brewmaster/Restaurateur): "2 days until Night Stalker dryhopped imperial stout debuts at Goose Island."

Mark Mendez (Executive Chef/Carnivale): "Trying to conceptualize new spring menu items."

John Ross (Owner/The Bristol): "Tonight...Agnolotti, Pappardelle Bolognese, Lamb Chorizo!"

Sarah Stegner (Executive Chef/Prairie Grass Cafe): "Enjoying the new microgreens from Three Sister's Garden."

Paul Virant (Owner/Chef Vie): "Corning a veal brisket/bottom round from Swan Creek."

Mmmm, Mado's Chicago Chef Week menu

(Photo: Mado)


We've got Mado's menu for those unsure of where to go these last days of Chicago Chef Week:

Fried Farm Egg Bruschetta with Truffle Butter

Chicken Liver Paté

Green Lentils with Pickled Red Onion and Parsley

Rainbow Trout stuffed with Braised Swiss Chard and Confit Pork Belly

Hanger Steak with Gorgonzola Polenta


Oh, there's much more to the three-course, $32 per person menu, but these are some of my favorite things!

This is simply obscene!

The McGangBang comes courtesy of food-obsessed site This is Why You're Fat. It's a McChicken sandwich inside a double cheeseburger.

OK, on my way to the gym now!

Revel Post Office to deliver fun, mayhem

(Photo: Revel Post Office)


To mark the debut of their hot new nightlife space, the crew behind Revel Post Office is hosting Battle Royale—a battle of the bands, 200 obnoxious t-shirts and some random breakdancers.

We're excited about the event, which includes guest celebrity judge Alpana Singh and a portion of the proceeds benefiting Imerman Angels, but come on. When was the last time you partied it up at the post office?!

They've taken over the 3,000-square-foot space of an actual old post office, transforming it into a raw entertaining room for live music, offbeat special events and whatever else comes up. This is the kind of action Chicago desperately needs, especially in this area.

As far as the Battle Royale event, guests'll get lively competition between Project Ultra, Empra, The Ripley's, Kinzie Rapport and Everelle, deejay performance by Madrid, plus an open bar and hot dogs. 9pm-1am March 28. $49. Get tickets here.

Decadent Doggies . . . oh my!

Lockwood's Chicago-Style Lobster Hot Dog (Photo: The Pickled Tongue)


OK, I'll admit it. 312DD's a little obsessed with Phillip Foss (Lockwood) right now.

But can you blame us?! Last week it was the Foie Gras Sliders the executive chef initially created for a special event, then added to the regular menu. And now after a challenge from MenuPages' manic food blogger Helen Rosner, he's created the ultimate Chicago-style hot dog on his Pickled Tongue blog.

This one is all about the lobster:

"I’m not trying to rival the incomporable Hot Doug’s. And you won’t automatically get bitched out if you order it at Lockwood like you do at the Weiner Circle (but I may make an exception if you ask… or if I don’t like the way you look)! ... . Regarding the menu though, it took me forever to work up the balls to put my buffalo-ed wings on the menu and that has been to huge fanfare. So stay tuned… this dog may also see its day (pun intended).

These are the components:

Diced lobster folded into a scallop mousse, seasoned with smoked paprika, cayenne and tarragon; rolled it in plastic wrap the size of a hot dog, then slow poached it at 140 degrees. It is then removed it from the plastic and grilled.
Not wanting to use mustard, instead I made a saffron-ginger beurre blanc to give it a similarly bright yellow color.

The rest is pretty basic - peeled pear tomatoes instead of the tomato wedges.
Brunoise of sweated leeks instead of onions
Green pepper curls
Potato bun - I f’d up and forgot the poppy seed!
I’m happy that ketchup as it turns out is considered sacreligious on a hot dog as I didn’t know how I would pair/mimic it with lobster!"

But how much is it?!

UPDATE: It's $16.