Sold Out!

"Top Chef" stars Stephanie Izard and Dale Levitski at last year's Green City Market Chefs BBQ. (Photo: Suzy McMillan for 312 Dining Diva)


Hate to rub this in, but if you don't already have tickets to tonight's annual Green City Market Chefs BBQ in Lincoln Park, you're SOL, it's sold out.

For those who've already scored tix, get there as early as possible (fest starts at 6pm) because they're expecting more than 1,000 guests to sample the delights of local prominent chefs like Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat), John Caputo (A Mano), Giuseppe Tentori (BOKA) and Erick Williams (MK).

We'll be there in splendid 312DD glory, so expect a lot of tweeting later on.

More food, fashion, fests and some freebies on tap for this weekend:

THURSDAY

The last time Jermaine Dupri guest deejayed at Underground, soccer heavyweight (and hottie!) David Beckham was in the house. There's no telling who'll drop by this time, but trust us when we tell you JD will rock the mic and the tables. 10pm-4am. $20.

FRIDAY

Up in Rogers Park, Uncommon Ground hosts its weekly farmers market in the parking lot. You'll see the usual local farmers and vendors, plus live music. And while you're there, check out the restaurant's roof-top produce garden. 4-8pm. Free.

Need a little pampering?! Board the Tall Ship Windy on Navy Pier for the Ultimate Mobile Spa Party. Event includes massages, a lingerie fashion show, open bar and vittles. After-party at Chi Bar. 7-10pm. $60.

Relax in West Town turns two, and they're doing it up big with small bites prepared by Top Chef star Dale Levitski, rockin' sounds spun by Matt Roan and some drink specials you'll dig. 7pm-midnight. No cover.



Sales of David Burke Primehouse's signature Lollipop Tree will benefit the Lollipop Theater Network. (Photo: David Burke Primehouse)


SATURDAY

You can fight the crowds next Saturday at Venetian Night or stay local and hit up Wicker Park for the seventh-annual Silver Room Sound System Block Party. The daylong event includes a fashion show, live mural paintings, and deejays spinning on the block, on the patio and in the store. Noon-10pm. Free.

Another notable going-on is going down at West Town newcomer Noble Grape, which hosts its grand-opening this weekend. Come for the complimentary tastings, live music and deejays. Also, buy at least six bottles of vino and you'll get 10 percent off. 1-5pm.

SUNDAY

Bright Pink gets props from the 900 Shops with a very special shopping extravaganza. The $20 ticket ($25 at door) gets you discounts to some of the mall's most popular stores (J.Crew, Club Monaco, Jake, UGG Australia, Mark Shale) as well as frozen yogurt, yoga from Lululemon and mini-facials. Noon-6pm.

New brunch items have been added to the menu at Perennial, including a duck confit tart (with frisée salad, truffle oil and poached egg) and chef Ryan Poli's twist on a classic tuna casserole, with imported tuna, egg noodles and celery-mushroom cream. Just make sure you have at least one Perennial Bellini (with passion fruit) 'cause they go down easy. 10am-2pm

MONDAY

And in honor of National Lollipop Day, David Burke’s Primehouse will donate a portion of sales from the signature Lollipop Tree to Lollipop Theater Network. Hey, any excuse to gorge on those amazing cheesecake lollipops works for me!

Just so you know . . .

East Village breakfast/brunch hang Jam opens this week (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


. . . there are some key openings around the horizon, starting Thursday:

Urban Daddy introduces us to Jam, a sweet little breakfast/brunch joint opening in the old Dodo space in the East Village.

Sayeth The Daddy:

"Before we get ahead of ourselves, just know that your brunch favorites will be waiting for you whenever you arrive. But since the chef is a former Trotter's and North Pond guy, you won't mind if he takes a few liberties with them.

"You know, a little crisp pork belly on your eggs Benedict here, some braised pork cheeks, ricotta salata and pickled plums in your egg sandwich there. If morning somehow becomes afternoon, and Malted Custard French Toast isn't going to cut it, a double-burger topped with smoked tomato sauce, butterkase cheese and—why not?—fried egg should."

Also scheduled to open this weekend is Red Canary, the city's first-ever "gastro lounge," with offerings like house-cut fries with truffle pesto and black pepper; pulled short ribs on garlic brioche; and buttermilk fried quail with basil whipped potatoes.

Division Ale House, owned by Baris Yuksel (who's also behind People Lounge), is scheduled to open July 24. It should fit right in the newly pub-centric area of Wicker Park's Division Street strip with its Irish-inspired decor, food, and eight draft beers favoring Irish and English brews. Of course, you'll be able to watch your favorite games on several large-screen monitors.

And, DISH got the scoop on Belly Shack, the brainchild of Bill Kim (of Urban Belly fame). Expect Asian- and Latin-influenced soups, sandwiches and small bites like yuca fries with a chimichurri dressing when it opens this fall.

Get ready for next FREEBIE FRIDAY

Dan Marunowski and Chris Curren of Blue 13 (Photo: Blue 13)


This "twisted" American brunch comes to you from Blue 13—known for rock 'n' roll dinners and offbeat décor—and it can be yours for free . . . if you play your cards right.

Follow 312DD here on Twitter for a chance to win the next FREEBIE FRIDAY this week.

Then you and a guest will indulge in a number of delightfully delicious items like Kahlua Pecan Belgian Waffles (honey pecans, coffee sauce, Kahlua whipped cream), Green Eggs and Ham Benedict (basil hollandaise, oven-dried tomato, poached eggs, country ham, potato hash), Pauly’s Hangover Burger (Jalapeno Jack cheese, Applewood smoked bacon, chipotle mayo, fried egg), fruit sushi or a grilled blueberry muffin.

Brunch at Blue 13 is 11am-2pm; entree prices range $9-$11.

We cannot resist . . .

. . . a good deal like the brand-new happy hour sushi special at HUB 51. Offered daily 3-6pm, Super Happy Sushi Fun Time means all sushi is half off, including signature bites like Miso-Glazed Salmon Roll and the yummy Sweet Potato Roll with Japanese barbecue sauce. $4.50-$7.50 per roll.

Get your buddies together for the debut of Bravo's Miami Social, a new reality series on the city's sexy young professionals. Chaise Lounge hosts a viewing party every Tuesday on the rooftop deck, so get there early before the show starts at 9pm. It also happens to be Taco Tuesdays, with gourmet corn tortillas stuffed with fish or pulled pork. Two tacos for $6; carafes of margaritas or Mojitos $18.

Juicy Wine Co. brings back the popular ObamaBurger (made with char-grilled Kobe beef, Benton's hickory-smoked country bacon, gooey Wisconsin Cheddar, spicy caramelized onions and a dollop of Juicy's Secret South Side Sauce). You can pair it with $5 glasses of Barboursville Vineyards wines—which were served at the President's inauguration. 6pm-2am.

Monday through Wednesday Sola offers a three-course, prix-fixe menu for $30. And if you throw in an extra 15 bucks, they'll pair each dish with vino.

Oh, and here's what's up on Wednesday . . .

If you've got a little extra bread for a benefit, spend it on Chicago Gateway Green's fourth-annual Texas Hold 'Em charity tournament at Galleria Marchetti. 312DD will attempt to play poker with other local glitterati like the Sun-Times' Richard Roeper, NBC's Marcus Riley, 190 North's Michelle Alegria and CelebTV's Kelli Zink. Starts at 5:30pm. $150 (if you're playing poker); $25 for spectators. Includes open bar, appetizers and a lush beer garden.

Irish pub Dugan’s celebrates its 25th anniversary with a gang of events, including an Irish cheese tasting paired with Jameson whiskey. 6-8pm. Free.

And $35 gets you into the Beer School’s Founders Beer Dinner at Sheffield’s. The backyard cookout includes a four-course menu paired with Founders beer (like Founders Barrel Aged Reds Rye accompanied by a smoked chicken leg and pork belly braised in Founders Cerise). 7-10pm.

Drink up before state tax hike kicks in on spirits

Thank God for daily drink specials because if the proposed state tax hike of 90 percent on wine and spirits (plus 21 percent on beer) goes into effect on Aug. 1, none of us will be able to afford to booze it up anymore.

Just to get you ready, here's a list of daily drinking deals so you never have to miss a beat . . .

TUESDAY

Long Room: $1 PBR Cans; $2 Jim Beam shots

WEDNESDAY

Stanley's: All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, Caesar salad; all-you- can-drink red/white wine and Bud Light pitchers for $14.95

THURSDAY

Crimson Lounge: $3 sparkling wine, beer and wine

FRIDAY

Chaise Lounge: $5 house martinis

SATURDAY

Red & White: Complimentary wine or beer tastings 3-5pm

SUNDAY

Map Room: $5 Bloody Marys, Mimosas (free barbecue, too!)

MONDAY

Debonair Social Club: Hosted PBR and Champagne bar 9-10pm (with RSVP); $2 PBR and $4 vodka cocktails

Our newest obsession!

A couple of months ago we dropped by Gold Coast Eve for a late-night noshfest, and our server talked us into indulging in chef Troy Graves' sensational lobster sausage.

Grilled to perfection and paired with exotic maitake mushrooms, smoked bacon, pearl onions and maple béchamel, it's on the appetizer menu, but it'll cost you a hefty $17.

Trust me when I say it's worth every bite.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


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

Hearty Boys: "Last nite, Dan grilled whole whitefish over an open fire pit, Gale did giant beans with tomato and rosemary; so much leftovers."

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "Just ordered meats for first Wandering Goat Dinner...short ribs and pork shoulder and lamb stuffed calamari, oh my!"

Paul Kahan: "Publican Sunday supper with great lakes brewery tonight. Great menu. Patio is amazing tonight."

Fabio Sorano Enoteca Roma: "Just saw Bruno!"

Todd Stein: "After a great brunch at the Publican, we are having a great first Sunday night at Cibo Matto and it is busy."

The Violet Hour gets tagged again . . .

Can you spot the door of The Violet Hour underneath all that graffiti?! (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


A random Sunday afternoon cruise down Damen Avenue in Wicker Park had 312DD stumbling across a few graffiti artists tagging The Violet Hour.

The local artists were sanctioned by the bar's owners to paint a 1980s-themed graffiti scene on the popular lounge's exterior. We were told that they're just trying to shake up things along this rather hum-drum strip of the scene, so expect it to change about every eight weeks.

Last time it was a rendering of Blago in his infamous Nike track suit, so it'll be interesting to see what creative visual prose they strike up in the fall . . .