Dirty Bird Bubble Bath boozier than ever

Rodney Alex of Juicy Wine Co. (Photo: Juicy Wine Co.)


We love Juicy Wine Co. for its stinky cheese and quirky events, like the weekly Sunday soul brunch, Dirty Bird Bubble Bath.

It's been going down for about a year at the River West wine bar, but now owner Rodney Alex's stepping it up by introducing his latest creation, Allagash White Ale Waffles.

That's right, there's beer in these here waffles that he promises will "lighten up" the texture and pair perfectly with crunchy Harold's Fried Chicken. Also, don't forget the bubbly, which is half off all day. And because you cannot have a soul brunch without the beats, DJ Puff-E spins classic funk and R&B. Brunch happens 11am-4pm.

Here's even more events popping off this weekend:

THURSDAY

In line with American Craft Beer Week, Bistro 110 hosts a Two Brothers tasting, pairing more than four beers with heavy appetizers. The Warrenville, Ill.-based brewery's owners Jason and Jim Able will lead the tasting of Domaine Dupage, Dog Days Dortmunder Lager, Ebel's Weiss and Cane & Ebel. 6-8:30pm. $25.

A number of fashion-focused events happen today, including Walk the West Loop for 20 percent off on 11 boutiques offering cocktail parties until 9pm; SUB 51's first-ever fashion show with School of the Art Institute students showing off their creations at 9pm; edgy Wicker Park boutique Bonnie & Clyde showcases its stylish lines at Manor at 9pm; and Maven's Diva Series returns to Crimson Lounge with a trunk show featuring Julia Failey Jewelry and Fashion Heist (6-9pm).

Party like an animal—and with your animal—as pet accessories boutique Tails in the City (1 E. Delaware Pl., 312-649-0347) marks five years with a benefit at Level. The $40 ticket includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, activities for pets and goodie bags. All proceeds go to The Anti-Cruelty Society. 6-9pm.

FRIDAY

You just might be able to score a ticket to the baddest bash of the week: A Late Night Celebration of the Modern Wing. The party is hosted by the likes of some of Chicago's top young influencers, including bar owners Claudia Gassel (Debonair Social Club) and Arturo Gomez (Rockit, Sunda, Underground), so you know the room will be full of heavy hitters. Benefit includes food, open bar, live entertainment and more. Try your luck at getting in here. 10pm-2am. $75.



Between exec chef Radhika Desi is moving to NYC! (Photo: Between Boutique Café and Lounge)


The dana hotel's ajasteak just introduced a budget-friendly bar menu that's also available on the patio. We love the idea of Kobe fat fries in chile vinegar, the market-fresh salad that comes in a Mason jar, Wok-steamed mussels, and an open-face fried green tomato and crab sandwich.

The Rockhouse debuts this weekend in Lincoln Park, with surprise bands coming in to perform. The late-night spot throws a nod to L.A.'s Sunset Strip rock bars like Viper Room. Free all weekend, with $4 Crystal Head vodka cocktails and $3 Bud bottles. 10pm-4am Friday; 10pm-5am Saturday.

As exclusively reported here, Top Chef Season 5 contestant Radhika Desai is moving to the Big Apple. Her farewell fete happens tonight at the restaurant with complimentary appetizers (prepared by new chef Noah Sandoval) and cocktails. 8pm-midnight. No cover.

O-K. Outfit Events throws its first-ever F*ckin' Catalina Wine Mixer at Lumen for its third-year anniversary. What the f*ck is that, you ask?! They're requesting guests to wear f*ckin' "country club" attire to complement the f*ckin' cheap wine and cheese reception from 9-10:30pm. Oh, and f*ckin' DJ Spider from L.A. is the celebrity spin star. Fun! 9pm-2am. RSVP to outfitevents.com for free admission before 11pm.

SATURDAY

Lottie’s Pub in Bucktown celebrates its 75th anniversary under a tent with daylong events, including a flippy cup tournament, drink specials and a few surprises. Would be interesting to see how many old-timers come out to support.

It's Beer & Chocolate Night at Drinks Over Dearborn with craft beer paired with locally based Vosges Haut Chocolat treats. 6:30-8:30pm. $30 in advance; $40 at door.

SUNDAY

It's gonna be a beautiful day, so why not take a stroll during the Second Annual Andersonville Wine Walk. Co-sponsored by In Fine Spirits and Andersonville Development Corp., the fest includes wine tastings at 22 area retail stores. You'll certainly be wobbling by the end of the day! Call 773-728-7552 for tickets. 2-5pm. $25 in advance; $30 day of event.

Sunday-night supper will be served up at MADO, which is doing a special family-style feast featuring produce, grains and meat from the Stewards of the Land farms. Bring your appetite. 6pm. $65

MONDAY

And get a sneak preview of the massive new Whole Foods Market at 1550 N. Kingsbury St. You'll get to sample produce, check out the new restaurants and indulge in various goodies certain to be set before you as you stroll around the enormous venue. 6:30-8:30pm. Get the $25 tickets here.

Get your Brass Monkey on Monday

Bristol exec chef Chris Pandel serves up Brass Monkey cocktails at Pops for Champagne Monday. (Photo: Chris Pandel)


Monday is the hottest night in the city.

Just ask the industry types who head over to Pops for Champagne for Shift Drink Mondays, where Chicago's top chefs and mixologists go behind the bar and shake up their favorite cocktails.

This past Monday's event was the most successful (since the series started last year) when the L20 kitchen staff's bartending stint brought out more than 300 people.

Expect about that many in attendance Monday when The Bristol's popular executive chef Chris Pandel guest bartends. He's pouring Ransom Gin Fizzes, Brass Monkeys and a Yampagne (made with yam and ginger preserve and Champagne).

Now that we think of it, this'll likely be the best one to date, seeing how National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show attendees are in town.

Event happens 8pm-2am May 18. No cover.

Cheers to All-American ales

We're right in the middle of American Craft Beer Week, so it's time to give props to those local watering holes really spotlighting the best suds around:

Bluebird: Bucktown joint offers a hefty list small-batch, organic and biodynamic beers paired with flatbreads, wings and one of the best mac 'n' cheese entrees in town.

Bristol: Another Bucktown bar boasting an inventive menu of wild game and pork, Bristol also perfectly pairs beers with their daily specials.

Duchamp: Known best for its signature burger (which Chicago Magazine proclaimed "the best in the city"), the casually upscale eatery features an impressive list of hand-crafted beers.

Goose Island: With an on-site brewery and a new, more chef-focused (yet still downscaled) menu of mussels, burgers and flatbreads, Goose Island continues to be hotter than ever.

Moonshine: The Wicker Park pub installed their own on-site brewery last year—thanks to the efforts of a former Goose Island brewmaster. The beers not only complement the typical lunch and dinner offerings, but the Mexican-inspired brunch dishes as well.

Paramount Room: Daily dinner deals and sudsy steals are the focus at this River West spot in the middle of nowhere. Definitely a destination for the daily, hand-crafted beer flights, too.

Publican: The design may be all old-school Euro, but the beer list reads like an American classic. From rare finds that'll cost you $$$ to reasonably priced locals, nothing disappoints.

Risque Cafe: Surrounded by frat-boy bars and sports hangouts, this Lakeview lounge shines for Smut Night movie nights, bottomless bowls of mac 'n' cheese, $2 PBRs and an impressive list of ales made in the U.S. of A.

Sheffield's: The Lakeview bar with the massive outdoor beer garden offers more than just another large list of beers; every so often, Sheffield's hosts Beer School 101, dropping knowledge with interactive sessions.

Small Bar: There's actually nothing small at all about the beer and burger list at this Division Street bar popular with neighborhood types. And the daily specials, including $4 Half Acre drafts and $1 off Two Brothers, keep 'em coming back.

Sign of the times . . .

There's been two more casualties of the economy: Asian-focused eatery Le Lan, in River North; and the American contemporary Soul in Claredon Hills.

Owner Howard Davis (a former partner in Marche, Red Light, Gioco) had this to say about the closings:

“We had to close due to a downturn in business that we attribute to the current economic situation. We appreciate all of the great effort our staff made over the years in creating very high quality restaurants and we are grateful to all of our customers who supported us over the years.”

Update on Mercadito River North opening

Known for killer tacos and margaritas, New York's Mercadito is opening a Chicago outpost in River North this summer. (Photo: Mercadito NYC)


Here's an update on the River North outpost for Mercadito that was exclusively reported here back in the winter.

An Ultimate Insider tells us New York's famed Mexican spot is still planning to open, but it's now pushed back to the summer. We'll keep you posted . . .

Oodles of noodles . . . and beer

Urban Belly's lamb and brandy dumplings (Photo: Chicagoist)


Chicagoist food writer Chuck Sudo reminds us of why noodle joint Urban Belly is one of the best things that ever happened to Logan Square. His experience at last night's beer-focused dinner got a glowing review, with his praising the chef and Goose Island brewmaster:

"Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall told a sold-out house that he's had every dish on the Urban Belly menu twice over, while chef Bill Kim expressed his desire to host a beer dinner with Goose Island for years, dating back to his days at Le Lan. For this dinner, Hall and Kim didn't try to expand past what they already did well. . . . This was also one of a handful of dinners where most of the attendees left without feeling like they committed a cardinal sin. Too often at these events either the pours or the food are too much for one to bear. Kim struck the right notes in making the first two courses communal, whetting the guests' collective appetite for an amazing udon with ground pork and Chinese black bean. Meanwhile the pours meted out by Goose Island's PJ McNulty and company were manageable and not intended to get diners drunk."

Wine, wine all the time

There never seems to be a shortage of wine events around the city, so we rounded up some noteworthy gigs you don't want to miss:

Head to the River West beer-focused Paramount Room for a deal on dinner and drinks. We're used to the Friday night fish fry, but here they do it Tuesdays. Get all-you-can-eat fish and chips, paired with half-priced bottles of vino.

You'll also get half off on bottles of wine at both Feast locations (Gold Coast and Bucktown). All you have to do is buy an entree. It's also BYOB night at the Bucktown location.

Head to La Madia between 4-6pm for comped pizza in the lounge and $5 glasses of WOW (wine of the week). Or, make your way here after 9pm for the late-night fixe of a salad, pizza, glass of WOW or beer for $27 a couple.

And tomorrow's the Wine Spectator Grand Tour, happening at Navy Pier from 7-10pm. But if the $200 is a bit too steep, head to the pre-party at InterContinental's ENO wine lounge. They're hosting winemaker Nick James-Martin of d’Arenberg, who will pour a number of signature wines paired with ENO's amazing artisan cheese and chocolates. 4-6pm. Free with RSVP.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Theo Gilbert of Terragusto (Photo: Theo Gilbert)


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

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill): "Shooting final scenes of Mexico: One Plate at a Time at Casa del Pueblo in Pilsen."

Theo Gilbert (Terragusto): "$48 a pound for morels (at the farmers market) - after all the rain & cool nights/warm days - "What are you people, on crazy pills?!?"

Troy Graves (Eve): "Chefin' it up with Tallulah's (LOBSTER!) deviled eggs for the Cerebral Palsy's chef's tasting party."

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "DC is pretty fun once you get past all the politics. Off to kill 35 lobsters for tomorrow's event, not very pc of me at all."

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): "1,200 reservations tomorrow for Mother's Day. WTF!"

David Richards (Sweets & Savories): "I am chaining myself to the oven to get Mother's day brunch pastry prep done!"

Bruce Sherman (North Pond Cafe): "Only 12 hrs til my spellbinding Green City Market demo! Ok maybe I exaggerate. Deliciously engrossing? Think asparagus and radishes."

Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe): "The Green City Market was beautiful today if only there was more Sun! Great greens, delicious cheddar!"

Guiseppe Tentori (BOKA): "Just changed 75% of the menu, very yummy, peas- pigs feet, green olives and pinenuts, green curry, black garlic and corn."