Headline of the Month!

Just had to give up the props for Urban Daddy's clever-est headline eva.

Let It Pho, Let It Pho, Let It Pho combines their frustration with the impending nine-inch snowstorm and glee over Lakeview Asian-focused newcomer Pho & I:

"There's no easy way to say this, so we'll just be blunt. It's really, truly, apocalyptically cold out there.

Now for something Tom Skilling's not going to tell you: you're about to encounter your own personal heat wave.

Introducing Pho & I, your new spot for hunkering down with steaming bowls of Vietnamese soup, spicy plates of curry and fiery Thai chicken wings, open now.

Let the toe-thawing begin."

What If This Rollergirl Had a High Roller?!

Riley Coyote of the Double Crossers professional roller derby team. (Photo: Katie Stapely)


If Melanie LaForce suddenly found herself showered with $$$ from a wealthy suitor, the first thing she'd do is spend some on dining and drinking at Chicago's most established spots.

LaForce (who goes by the handle "Riley Coyote") is a jammer and blocker for the Double Crossers, one of four home teams in the Windy City Rollers professional roller derby league. This means, of course, that this high-energy athlete can eat and drink as she pleases, so if she had the funds, she wouldn't hold back!

Her first stop would be Alinea ("It's sort of a dream place, and you always hear about its cutting-edge dishes. Plus, it won't be in my budget for a long time.").

She also had these gems about some of her other fave spots:

"I would get Asado coffee every morning, and Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate) treats every night before bed with a Whistler cocktail (The Last Straw made with Broker’s Gin, green chartreuse, lemon, Maraschino, egg white)."

"I would make Rick Bayless bring me (Xoco) churros on my roller derby bout mornings. And Revolution Brewery bring me a growler post-bout."

"I would eat Rose Angelis pastas after yoga classes, and Urban Belly noodle soups each week to ward off head colds."

"I would eat 30 oysters weekly at Shaw's to keep me virile."

And the pièce de résistance:

"I would totally ask Charlie Trotter to come feed me raw food and snuggle. He's kind of my nerd crush."

Get tickets and schedule for upcoming games here. The first one's Jan. 30 at UIC Pavilion.

Follow Riley Coyote on Twitter!

Paul Kahan Takes on Time Out in Defense of Chaise

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


Five restos, including Chaise Lounge, got blasted by Time Out in a recent article about Check, Please!

But what was more interesting about the story was how fans of Chaise came out strong in the comments section, including celeb chef Paul Kahan (avec, Big Star, Blackbird, Publican):

"(Chaise Lounge Executive Chef) Cary Taylor is part of a small group that uses local product and cooks from the heart. The need to bash Cary, or any other restaurant seems pointless.

"Why not focus on something even slightly relevant for just one little second or two? And by all means, realize that newer restaurants can be seriously hurt by your tounge and cheek bullshit and speculation.

"People like Cary work long and hard to make a solid living that should not be compromised for a cute storyline. Check your facts!"

Also know that Taylor once worked for Kahan at Blackbird, so he's not just defending him for the sake of it!

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 . . .