Bravo to three top Chicago chefs!

Graham Elliot Bowles (Photo: GEB)


More great news for Chicago today!

Graham Elliot Bowles (graham elliot), Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill) and Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) will soon go head-to-head on Bravo's new chef-centric show Top Chef Masters, premiering June 10.

Hot Doug's deliveries to the Loop?!

Yes, you read that right, but Hot Doug's owner Doug Sohn is pretty pissed because this is not his operation and he believes drama will soon ensue for his North Side operation.

A company called Hot Doug Dropoff created the concept, delivering orders to the Loop, and Drive-Thru gets to the bottom of it . . .

Now, whose downtown addy can 312DD use tomorrow so we can order a dozen?!

We're #1 . . . AGAIN!

How about some good news today, people?!

The results are in and Askmen.com just named our effing amazing town the best city to live in:

"World-class cultural fixtures like the Art Institute, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago International Film Festival and a vibrant theater scene are complemented by popular festivals like Jazz Fest, Blues Fest and the recently revitalized Lollapalooza, Outdoor Film Festival, and Second City, which happens to be the source of 39% of the U.S.’s greatest comedians (a scientifically calculated fact!).

"Chicago possesses one of the world’s most vibrant, diverse and innovative restaurant scenes, from culinary luminaries like Charlie Trotter, Grant Achatz and Rick Bayless to an astounding variety of hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joints to Chicago’s signature greasy trinity of deep dish pizza, Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs."

Yeah, baby! We knew it all along . . .

Drive-Thru checks out Branch 27

Roasted chicken and mussels dishes at Branch 27. (Photo: Peter Riskind)


Gapers Block reviews new West Town hot spot Branch 27:

"Exposed brick, muted olive and moss tones, and an over-arching skylight set the scene for a simple and well-executed menu with only a few demure points of whimsy (I'm not sure exactly what a mozzarella egg roll is...and our waitress steered us towards the more conventional but very well-flavored and crunchy chicken wings with a sauce that smelled like heat but tasted like sweetness with just a hint of chili).

"The restaurant describes its menu as 'familiar,' which seems to mean not just familiar home-cooking, like pan-fried perch or a highly recommended roasted half-chicken, but some familiar stars of contemporary American menus, like tuna tartar, scallops with pumpkin ravioli, and mussels and fries."

Weekend Tweet Beat . . .

Curtis Duffy of Avenues (Photo: Avenues)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Grant Achatz (Alinea): "Finalized dish: salmiak, kola nut, beet, buttermilk. Why don't ppl. like beets? It's sweet -earthy. Or black licorice? The combo is solid."

Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven): “Just got home from teaching a great cooking class; both my children helped me pull it off they were great!”

Curtis Duffy (Avenues): “Getting ready to kick the (rowdy) table of 8 out of the restaurant!”

Tim Graham (Tru): “Lamb legs are here, and my hands smell like ramps. Ah, spring is somewhere.”

Troy Graves (Eve): “Buying a whole cow is a big investment, but it pays off in the end. I am gonna serve the best burgers in Chicago.”

Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse): I'm thinking it’s time to brew a proper saison this weekend, along with a pilsner. How much beer at the house too much? Currently 40 gallons.”

Paul Kahan: “Got amazing almost live wild shrimp from Jim Galle's new business today. Served tonight at the Publican. Blackbird and avec soon.

Erick Williams (MK): “Just butchered the annual Passover lamb with Michael Kornick. Very inspired and I owe it to the lamb ribs for lunch! I feel some great spring lamb additions coming.”

EXCLUSIVE: She's packing her knives—and bags!

(Photo: Between Boutique Café and Lounge)


Late last night, 312DD got word from an Ultimate Insider that "Top Chef" Season 5 contestant Radhika Desai's leaving Between Boutique Café and Lounge in late May to move to New York.

No word on where she'll end up yet, but this story is developing . . .

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Kwesi Dei is the VIP host at Manor, Stay and RiNO (Photo: Kwesi Dei)


Supermodel by day and VIP host for Manor, Rino and Stay at night, Kwesi Dei (4/4) is the man you should be schmoozing if you want the best seats in the house.

Deejay Jernell Geronimo (4/2) spins infectious mashups at Manor (Tuesday, Thursday), Y Bar (Wednesday), Crescendo (Friday, Saturday). He's also been voted one of Chicago's top turntablists year after year.

Season 3 "Top Chef" finalist Dale Levitski (4/3) is still working to open his West Loop spot Town and Country, but in the meantime, you can catch him at Relax on Thursdays, where he's whipping up memorable three-course feasts paired with specialty cocktails.

High-Tech tasting from farm to table

Phillip Foss, executive chef at Lockwood (Photo: Lockwood)


He's the guy who brought us the infamous Lobster Haute Dog and Foie Gras Sliders, so it shouldn't come as a surprise Phillip Foss's delving deep into technology for his latest project.

Lockwood's executive chef has partnered with Ohio farmer Lee Jones to raise awareness of sustainable produce through a live, digital tasting at the restaurant. Guests will connect to farmer Jones via live Internet video conferencing in order to gain a better understanding of how sustainable agriculture is farmed; how that produce made its way onto the evening's menu; and will have the opportunity to garnish their own dishes with produce highlighted throughout the conversation.

The event benefits Veggie U, a non-profit organization of the Culinary Vegetable Institute and The Chef's Garden providing children with an understanding of sustainable agriculture. 6-9pm April 21. $95.