Will She Show Up?!

Hey, a girl can dream, right?!

Super pop star and fashion icon Lady GaGa brings her Monster Ball Tour to Rosemont Theatre Saturday with opening act Jason Derulo.

The young songwriter, who made his mark in the game by penning songs for the likes of P. Diddy, Lil Wayne and Danity Kane, is set to perform during the official after-party at Lumen.

We're keeping our fingers crossed that Lady GaGa will make a cameo, but you know how those things go . . .

Expect him to arrive around midnight.

Pancakes All Day at Ina's!

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Vettel says West Loop eatery Ina's is suspending dinner through the winter:

"Pinckney's Heavenly Hots (pancakes) will be available all day, not just at breakfast. She also will be introducing salmon patties, breakfast sandwiches and chicken and waffles to the lineup."

Well, stack 'em up then!

Phillip Foss on 'Chef Blogging'

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


Several local chefs have gained notoriety for blogging their thoughts.

Last fall, Carnivale's Mark Mendez got fed up with a wayward intern and took out his frustrations in an open letter.

And then John des Rosiers of Lake Bluff's Inovasi boldly dissed the molecular cuisine scene.

There are many others, some with titillating topics and others who use blogs as a means to showcase their latest culinary creations, but Lockwood chef Phillip Foss—who's gotten the most media attention for The Pickled Tongue—doles out sound advice on how to make the most out of chef blogging:

"Don’t be afraid to speak your mind & be on the edge in regards to the balance of right and wrong. Even bad publicity is still publicity. Don’t be afraid to ruffle some feathers.

"Those you alienate will likely be replaced by those who admire you for your stance. But be careful not to put HR or union issues on the line if you are in the belly of a hotel. They are to the blogger what the FCC is to Howard Stern."

Off to a Healthy Start!

After all that holiday indulgence, it's time to start the New Year off with a healthier outlook.

But who wants to drink wheatgerm or chow down on nothing but rice cakes for a month?!

The Loop's Protein Bar, located directly across from Willis Sears Tower, is making it fun for those who take on their New Year challenge.

For every 10 meals you order through Feb. 28 you'll get a free meal and a chance to win health- and fitness-related prizes like personal training sessions, spa certificates, mani-pedis or a happy hour for friends at Protein Bar.

In addition to signature smoothies like the whimsical Wrigley Peeled (chocolate protein, milk, all-natural peanut butter, banana), Protein Bar offers an extensive list of delicious diet-friendly dishes to whip you in shape.


Lynn House, award-winning mixologist of graham elliot (Photo: graham elliot)


If you crossed booze off your list for awhile, graham elliot's master mixologist Lynn House has got you covered with a few of her award-winning cocktails that have been converted to "mocktails."

We're especially craving the Pomegranate Fizz (egg white, lime juice, homemade grenadine or pomegranate molasses, club soda, diet Sprite) and sexy Ruby Slippers (lemon juice, blood orange juice, ginger syrup, Sprecher's ginger ale).

And sushi is one of the healthiest foods out there, as long as you're not piling it on with cream cheese, tempura shrimp or avocado.

To chow down in style, here's a refresher, plus you can always find the freshest bites at Wicker Park fave Mirai Sushi and the South Loop's original location for Oysy.

More sushi's on tap at Sushi Samba where chef Dan Tucker just launched the SAMBA FIT menu for lunch and dinner. For $20.10, guests get to choose healthy items from a three-course menu. These sound especially good: yuzu soy glazed green beans; grilled tofu marinated in Japanese herb sauce; and a selection of sushi rolls, including tuna, Yellowtail scallion and Yellowtail jalapeno.

Happy New Year!

TRU Burgers Take Over Famed Pastry Kitchen

Just got off the phone with an Ultimate Insider who told me more on that TRU burger concept I wrote about here earlier in December.

Turns out this will be a bigger deal than I originally anticipated. They're bringing back chef Tim Graham, who was recently sent over to Brasserie Jo, to oversee the new project. One of the most interesting aspects of this deal is that he'll take over the pastry kitchen where award-winning Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand created her decadent delights. Also gone is the famed chef's table because Graham will need that space as well.

The burgers will be takeout only, with a window where customers can go pick them up. Not sure when this will all go down, but we expect to see changes soon . . .

Delicious New Dishes for a New Decade

Out with the old, in with the new . . . dishes?!

With a New Year and new decade comes a whole spate of new restos and favorite standbys updating their menus:

Branch 27: New chef John Manion has done a complete overhaul of the menu at this laid-back West Town neighborhood hang. A cassoulet of lamb meatballs, braised pork belly and duck confit should pair nicely with a beer from the impressive list that includes Three Floyds Alpha King and Goose Island Matilda.

HEARTY: Partners Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh—also known as The Hearty Boys—reignited their visibility in Lakeview by transforming their private events space into a full-fledged restaurant. They add a twist to standard comfort fare like a deconstructed tuna casserole with seared panko-crusted Ahi, egg noodles in a light saffron cream, sautéed wild mushrooms, sweet pea puree and crushed dried sweet peas.

HUB 51: There's a rotating menu during the new brunch service at the happening River North eatery. They've just introduced Eggs Benedict served over hash browns with a choice of Black Forest ham or thick-cut brown sugar bacon.

Longman & Eagle: Chef Jared Wentworth and owner Bruce Finkelman (The Empty Bottle) promise more comfort than anyone with this new bar/restaurant/inn hybrid. In addition to homey, savory dishes like the wild boar sloppy Joe (with crispy sage, onions and pickled jalapeño), the venue serves as a refuge for those who need to sleep off a hangover. It's set to open in late January.

The Purple Pig: Jimmy Bannos Jr.'s no newcomer to the dining scene with stints working for Mario Batali as well as he's son of Jimmy Bannos Sr. of Heaven on Seven fame. He's partnered with Scott Harris (Francesca) for this gastropub serving up the intriguing chicken thigh kebabs with fried smashed potatoes and tzatziki.

Food Fight! Check, Please! Slammed By Time Out

This is the time for year-end reviews, but Time Out went after five restaurants they felt Check, Please! "got wrong" this decade:

"1. Think (2235 N Western Ave, 773-394-0537), 2005. The biggest disservice to the city at the hands of a TV show. Almost overnight, the whole town went googly over any dish with a decorative sour-cream splatter.

2. Geja’s Café (340 W Armitage Ave, 773-281-9101), 2005. Yes, it really picked this skeezy fondue joint. But that’s what happens when you invite Steve Wilkos to recommend a restaurant.

3. RL (115 E Chicago Ave, 312-475-1100), 2004. The show said it was like eating in New York. A New York Ralph Lauren store, perhaps.

4. Tavern on Rush (1031 N Rush St, 312-664-9600), 2006. The panel actually acted as if this frat bar were a steakhouse.

5. Chaise Lounge (1840 W North Ave, 773-342-1840), 2009. To be fair, the guests conceded that this South Beach–style clusterfuck was sometimes better for the women than the food."

Pretty damn brutal there, but the last time I checked it was the guest reviewers deciding on what restaurants were featured on the show, not Check, Please!

Another Rosebud Blooming in VTK Space?!

The Rosebud on Rush location is only a few blocks away from Rosebud Eats, which is going into the VTK space in 2010. (Photo: Rosebud Restaurants, Inc.)


VTK lost its lease and will shutter after 10 years this week.

In early December, DISH reported that Lettuce Entertain You’s Rich Melman will possibly take the concept elsewhere.

Meanwhile, an Ultimate Insider tells 312DD a higher up at Rosebud Restaurants Inc. said to look out for Rosebud Eats to open at that location.

"They've already bought equipment (for the space)," said the source, who added that the restaurant plans to offer meals 23 hours a day when it debuts in March.