Eat Your Way Through River North

The Devil’s Basket with soft shell crab is one of Sunda's signature dishes. (Photo: Sunda)


The Andersonville Dessert Crawl goes down on Sunday, but if you cannot wait that long, we've come across a similar one happening Tuesday.

The first-ever OctoberFeast is River North's answer to the Andersonville deal, featuring some of the area's top restos and bars. Get a ticket and enjoy a bunch of bites and booze at Harry Caray's, Hub 51, Italiasia, La Madia, Mercadito, NAHA, Osteria via Stato, Prosecco, Sunda, Zocalo and others. You'll get 45 minutes to hang at each spot, but since there are 25 venues, you'd better make that 10 or 15.

OctoberFeast happens 5-10pm, with the after party taking place at Martini Park. Get the $50 ticket at River North Business Association.

Blame It On Rio!

The somber scene over at Harry Caray's. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


312DD barely stepped into Harry Caray's when it was announced that Chicago lost the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. What a bummer.

The room fell silent as the details unleashed, and there was definitely no celebrating. In the house among the diners included Baseball Hall of Famer and former Cubs star Ryne Sandberg and Dutchie Caray, widow of Harry Caray.

After the announcement, Ms. Caray said she had the same sinking feeling she had following the Cubs' playoff loss in 2003 when Steve Bartman grabbed that ball.

If you want to check out my reaction, watch NBC-5 Sharon Wright's interview Friday afternoon. It features 312DD liveblogging and UrbanDaddy's Chris LaMorte, who's drinking Harry Caray's signature cocktail, The Chicago Gold. He adds his own twist: a healthy dash of bitters.

Keep 'Em Crossed, Chicago!

It's almost over. Where are you gonna be when the Olympics bid comes down?!

312DD will be liveblogging all the action from Harry Caray's in River North until it's over.

Let's do this!

No Opaa! for Taxim from Phil Vettel

(Photo: Taxim)


Still scratching my head over why Taxim, a glamorous new Greek restaurant in Wicker Park, only got "one star" from the Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel.

He apparently loved the food, from the overall tone in his review:

"Good-tasting lamb chops were nearly upstaged by their plate companions, a chewy and delicious bulgur pilaf and a fanciful skordalia that was really a vivid-green pesto of Greek oregano, pine nuts and garlic. The fascinating duck gyros were a cross between a shawarma and Peking duck -- spit-roasted duck meat lacquered with pomegranate syrup, packed with yogurt-mint sauce in soft wraps of house-made satz bread (a soft flatbread cooked on a heated dome). The roasted chicken is very good, helped considerably by assertive amounts of oregano and garlic, some yummy cooked-in-fat potatoes and pieces of ouzo-preserved lemons. The roasted sea bass is moist and sweet, graced with kisses of lemon and olive oil and propped on a bed of chewy dandelion greens, which supply a bitter counterpoint."

Yet the service was a little spotty when he returned on the weekend:

"A follow-up visit on a weekend night found a chaotic dining room and a kitchen deep in the weeds. Our appetizers arrived five minutes apart; the gap between the arrival of our entrees was so great it was like eating separate courses; and no server seemed to notice."

But did this review really warrant only one star, which translates to "good?!" Vettel's been doling out "three stars" lately like Glinda the Good Witch, so I'm just a little surprised they didn't get a little more love . . .

Jeremy Piven eating fish again?!

An observant "spy" at Gibsons spilled the beans to Bill Zwecker about actor Jeremy Piven's meal on Tuesday:

"I'm sure Jeremy Piven is sick to death about his dining habits constantly being scrutinized, but the Entourage star was seen Tuesday night chowing down on a lovely piece of whitefish at Gibsons.

The actor has avoided fish since the big 'Sushi-gate' incident—when he claimed a bad bout of mercury poisoning caused him to drop out of his acclaimed Broadway debut in David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow."

In best Chris Crocker voice: "Leave Jeremy Piven aloooooooooooone!"

Happy Anniversary, Ed Debevic's, Vivo!

Ed Debevic's celebrates 25 years in business with a two-day outdoor festival of live music, food and fun.


Two milestones are upon us: One for the kids (or the kid in you!) and the other for the grown 'n' sexy.

Pack up the family this weekend and head to Ed Debevic's for its 25th anniversary celebration, taking place at the corner of Wells and Ontario. The iconic burgers, fries and shakes shop is doing it big with live music (Nicholas Barron, Lynne Jordan & The Shivers) and games, plus treats from Gino’s East Pizza and Mitchell’s Soda Shop. Noon-10pm Saturday; 11am-9pm Sunday. Free.

And pioneer of the famed Randolph Street Restaurant Row turns 18. The sexy Ital Vivo—whose magnificent elevator shaft VIP room has played host to the likes of Michael Jordan and Oprah—gets its shine on Thursday with a party certain to attract the city's most glamorous. Get there early (5-7pm) for the comped cocktails, bubbly and apps, and stay until the lights come on. 5pm-2am Thursday. Free.

More anniversaries, plus other happenings this weekend:

THURSDAY

The Roots may be the hottest hip-hop band on the planet, but when it comes to live house beats, they'd better stay in their lane and let Mr. A.L.I. take over. The local groovemasters—with a strong international following—headline Cuatro's fourth anniversary party. Deejays Timmy McAllister and Andre Hatchett spin underground house. 9pm-2am. Cover varies.

Through Saturday, Blind Faith Café, known for using locally grown and organic products in all dishes, celebrates its 30th anniversary by inviting guests to decide what they want to pay for their dinner entrées. Woot?!

Chi-Town's own Bubbly Girl returns home for a book-signing, bubbly-filled bash at Pops For Champagne. Party includes a signed copy of The Bubbly Bar: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion, apps and cocktails. 6-8pm. $25. RSVP to info@popsforchampagne.com to reserve your space.

Hip-hop legend/journalist/sneaker freak Bobbito Garcia hits Chicago for a rare set at Coup d'Etat/The Shrine. Get there by 9pm for a Ciroc vodka tasting. 9pm-2am. $7 in advance; $10 at the door.

FRIDAY

Lucky to have Friday afternoons all to yourself?! All October you should head over to the Palm Court at The Drake for Catwalk Fridays. The producers have put their spin on what would've otherwise been another ho-hum afternoon tea. Local upscale boutiques showcase their best; you get to nosh on scones, finger sandwiches and pastries, plus sip tea. Two shows every Friday at 2pm and 3:15pm. $29 (reservations required at shaun.rajah@hilton.com).


Food and football! Chicago Bear Israel Idonije (from left), D.C. Crenshaw and Jen Patterson will host new Comcast show "Game Time Dine." (Photo: D.C. Crenshaw)


SATURDAY

The 13th annual Eli's Cheesecake Festival happens this weekend, benefiting the New Horizon Center for the Developmentally Disabled and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Think all things cheesecake, including the Jesse White Tumblers flying over a giant Eli’s Cheesecake; a culinary pavilion with local chef demos; and cheesecake Olympics, with cheesecake eating contests, cheesecake bingo and cheesecake hula-hoop contests. The festivities happen right in the parking lot of Eli's Cheesecake. 9am-5pm Saturday; 11am-5pm Sunday. Free.

Now to all things beer. The Midwest Microfest happens on the plaza at Park Grill. You'll get to sample eight of the best breweries in the Midwest as well as enjoy $2 pulled pork sandwiches, mini burgers and beer-braised brats. Noon-7pm. Free.

Whether you're a football fan or not, you're likely to have balls of fun at this party celebrating the debut of Comcast's Game Time Dine. Happening at Old Town Social, the event includes mingling with the stars (including Bears star Israel Idonije), a sneak preview of the football-oriented food show, plus comped apps and cocktails. 6:30-10pm. Free.

SUNDAY

And Primehouse's first-ever OktoBEERfest kicks off tonight. Through Wednesday, Oct. 7, guests will get four courses paired with a different local microbrew each night. Sunday's event features the home brews of Executive Chef Rick Gresh, followed by Two Brothers Beer (Monday), New Holland Brewery (Tuesday) and Goose Island (Wednesday). Peep Rick's entire menus for OktoBEERfest here. Each event starts with a beer-focused reception 6:30-7:15pm. $55.

Drop Kick 'Bucket' for Fried Chicken with Flash

one sixtyblue's new "Fried Chicken & Champagne" deal happens every Wednesday. (Photo: one sixtyblue)


Who needs KFC when some fabulous top local chefs are putting their own unique spin on the classic Southern staple:

The Bristol's Chris Pandel visited Charleston, S.C., earlier this year and he couldn't wait to get back in the kitchen to hook up some of the dishes he sampled while there. Right now, he's doing a country-fried quail he's dubbed "Southern finger food." First, he marinates the bird in a molasses-maple brine before rolling it around in cornmeal and deep frying it. Then he gives the side dish of okra the same cornmeal treatment. Complemented with a house-made buttermilk ranch dressing, this down-home dish is certain to satisfy. $14.

one sixtyblue just introduced a new Wednesday night deal in the Blue Bar. Get ready for Fried Chicken & Champagne, chef Michael McDonald's mouthwatering meal that's certain to become a favorite in these parts of the Randolph Street Restaurant Row. For $8, you'll get two pieces of Amish-raised chicken that's been flavored with espresso grinds and gumbo file, then fried until golden. The bird's served with hand-sliced potato wedges, Asian pear coleslaw and buttermilk drop biscuits slathered with homemade honey butter. The bubbly, however, is extra: Dom Pérignon ($25 a glass) or Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial ($8 a glass). If you're not doing champagne, they also feature a nice selection of craft beers for $4.

And Art Smith's glamorous, celebrity haven, Table Fifty-Two, has been 312DD's favorite Sunday night delight since it opened a few years ago. That's the only night they serve ginormous portions of Art's signature buttermilk fried chicken paired with mashed roasted garlic Yukon Gold potatoes for $18. That's more than enough food, trust us, but you'll definitely want to get a side or two. We recommend the three-cheese mac; braised collard greens with smoked turkey; or hand-cut fries with Manchego cheese and smoked paprika.

Fall's Best Ball Showcases Rising Star Chefs

John des Rosiers, executive chef/owner of Inovasi in Lake Bluff, is one of many rising stars set to cook at the annual "Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball." (Photo: Inovasi)


It seems like there's some chef-focused fête going on every week, where the city's anointed culinary kings and queens gather for a good cause while doling out signature bites of sweet and savory stuff.

But the Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball, now in its 21st year, is the one that started them all. In its early days, the event was a modest Sunday brunch in a court yard, but now it's a grand affair, boasting the A-Listers (Stephanie Izard, The Drunken Goat; Jimmy Bannos, Heaven on Seven; Paul Kahan, Blackbird) as well as those on the come up (John des Rosiers, Inovasi; Michael Fiorello, Mercat a la Planxa; Nick Lacasse The Drawing Room).

What we love about this event is that it caters to both the foodie and the fashionista with two parties in one: The high rollers come early for The Chef's Table ($250), a VIP, seated dining experience that's very intimate with the chefs. Immediately following is the Chef Tasting Party ($100), a walk-around cocktail event that's high energy with apps from the star chefs, deejay, open bar, casino gaming, an interactive photo booth and live music.

The Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball occurs Oct. 16 at Macy's (111 N. State St.). The Chef's Table (which includes the Chef Tasting Party) starts at 6pm; Chef Tasting Party goes down 8pm-12:30am.

Check here for tickets and the full celebrity chef lineup.

Now there's a video too!