Sound Opinions on Where To Wine & Dine

"Sound Opinions" co-hosts Jim DeRogatis (left) and Greg Kot. (Photo: Sound Opinions)


312DD got Chicago's ultimate rock critics—Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot of national syndicated Sound Opinions—to open up about their favorite dining spots around town.

Their comfort zone, of course, is reviewing concerts, but DeRogatis says, "We do know where to catch a great quick bite in close proximity to many of the venues we have to frequent while reviewing shows."

So when Kot hits up a major show at United Center, the classic Italian cuisine of La Luce is calling his name.

"They do a great Bolognese sauce, have a nice selection of red wines, and have ample street parking out front," says Kot. "Plus, you can avoid the over-priced options at the United Center, and have a romantic, civilized time before experiencing what is likely over-the-top arena rock spectacle."

When DeRogatis catches one of the many hot rock, pop or jazz bands playing at Aragon, Riviera or Green Mill, his go-to dining spot in the area is Silver Seafood for authentic Chinese food.

"This is an old-school joint, with garish décor, horrendous bright neon lighting and lobsters swimming in a big cloudy fish tank, a few reasons you know it’s the real deal," he says. "But the best evidence of its excellence is the fact that whenever you go, you’re invariably surrounded by loud, large families speaking rapid-fire Chinese. There are about a thousand things on the menu—not just seafood by any means—and I’ve sampled about 250 of them and loved every dish."

Though Music Box Theatre is no live-music venue, it's where the Sound Opinions duo hosts movie nights, including a special showing of "Saturday Night Fever" at 7:30pm Feb. 16.

DeRogatis recommends hitting up Argentine steak house Tango Sur before the movie: "I love meat, especially the mixed platters of grilled steak, sausage, pork and chicken. There are other fine dishes, too—gotta love the empanadas—but meat is usually involved with those, too. Viva los carnivores!"


Pub grub at The Gage. (Photo: Elizabeth Lynch)


Read on for even more delicious picks from the dynamic duo:

Agami: "Conveniently located in Uptown for shows at the Riviera, Aragon and Green Mill. Sushi connoisseurs (and I count myself among them) will appreciate this place with its premium on freshness, but the menu also includes dishes to please those who aren't sashimi lovers. And for those who aren't reviewing a show later in the evening, they serve excellent saki."—GK

The Gage: "Excellent dinner stop for those attending shows at the nearby Auditorium Theatre or Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, across the street. Good selection of draught beer, including a nice, slow-pour Guinness, and pub-food that is a bit pricey but of high quality: burgers, fish and chips, roast chicken, mussels, steaks. It’s (also) the perfect place to unwind after a full day of sun or showers at Lollapalooza."—GK

Kroll’s South Loop: "There’s a really good restaurant attached to one of my favorite new punk clubs, Reggie’s. The menu is classic American with a twist (meatloaf and pulled-pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, that sort of thing), and the food is served on cool metal TV dinner trays—but my favorite spot in the burgeoning South Loop dining scene is Kroll's, a bit of Wisconsin in Chicago, with an old-school wood-paneled supper club vibe and absolutely unforgettable fried cheese curds, butter burgers (that would be a big slab of prime chopped meat adorned with a slab of butter, of course) and shakes so thick you might initially mistake them for a glass of spackle, until you finally take a sip. Mmmm!"—JD

Uncommon Ground: "Although it’s just north of one of my favorite clubs (Metro), I was reluctant at first to do dinner here. I’m down with its emphasis on organic and locally farmed produce, but as a hardcore meatatarian, I’m always wary of menus heavy on the veggies. But with choice selections such as bacon-wrapped meatloaf and black pepper seared pork loin, as well as the veggie burgers and killer gourmet mac and cheese, Uncommon Ground is uber-tasty first and healthy second, as every restaurant should be."—JD

Reggie Bush Does Everything 'Epic' . . .

. . . so we have a good idea that the newly crowned Super Bowl champ and his famous girlfriend would likely wind up at Epic—River North's newest hot spot—if they were in Chicago on Valentine's Day.

Where would other glamorous celeb couples like Naomi Campbell/Vladislav Doronin, Bradley Cooper/Renee Zellweger, Beyonce/Jay-Z and Russell Brand/Katy Perry end up if they were in town?!

Take a look at NBCChicago.com's newest slideshow Celebs Supping in the Second City to find out . . .

Stage Bites: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

Mariah Carey headlines Chicago Theatre Feb. 13-14.


Every Monday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and after the show:


A Raisin in the Sun at Merle Reskin Theatre. It's the 50th anniversary of Lorraine Hansberry's classic portrait of an African-American family on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s. 7:30pm Wednesday-Saturday; 2pm Sunday (last show Feb. 14). Get tickets here.

Mercat a la Planxa: Brunch is served 11am-3pm at this Spanish sensation known best for award-winning Executive Chef Jose Garces. They're doing a number of sandwiches served with smoked paprika fries, including the burger and Shoko Club (smoked turkey breast, bacon, honey mustard, almonds on multigrain artisan bread). Pair it up with their version of the Mimosa: the Santa Caterina made with cava, orange liqueur and OJ.

Oysy: Feeling adventurous?! Allow the chef to make the picks for the sushi party tray for $32. Here's to hoping you'll get the signature Green Turtle maki that's topped with eel, cucumber, wasabi mayo and tempura shrimp.

Park Grill: If you're looking for a quick bite before the show, hit up $5 Thursdays for steamed Prince Edward Island mussels, mini burgers or the seasonal panini (right now it's local pumpkin, puree, arugula with truffle honey vinaigrette). Available in bar/lounge only. Bigger appetites should take advantage of the pre-theater menu for $30. Three courses gets you choices like slow roasted sage and garlic chicken, Woodland mushroom risotto or cedar-planked Atlantic salmon.


River North Chicago Dance at Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Annual Valentine's weekend engagement features two world premieres, including an unforgettable tribute to jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. 8pm Friday, Saturday. Get tickets here.

Aria: You'll get three Asian-inspired courses for $41 (seasonal menu changes), plus special validated parking for $9.

Tavern at the Park: Take advantage of the special menu for you and a sig other that's only $40 per person for four courses. A warm duck salad, petite prime rib and brick chicken that's deboned and marinated in lemon are only some of the highlights on the Val's Day menu.


Sushi selection from Oysy's menu. (Photo: Oysy)


Mariah Carey at Chicago Theatre. Madame Butterfly herself performs two shows; Saturday's concert is sold out. 7:30pm Saturday; 7pm Sunday. Get tickets for Sunday's show here.

cibo matto: theWit's sexy Ital resto is right next door, so treat someone sweet to their Valentine's Day menu Friday through Feb. 15. For $75 each, you'll get a four-course feast, including four-cheese ravioli, grilled beef tenderloin and warm, bittersweet chocolate cake.

South Water Kitchen: Or, if you blew all your money on those Mariah Carey tix, we're certain your lover will settle for a nice bottle of vino at Hotel Monaco's first-floor eatery. They're offering an awesome list of wallet-friendly wines for $15, plus if you're going to the show on Sunday you get a comped cheese plate with that bottle.

Another Look at Foodie Yoga Phenom

I'm still tingling all over from an invigorating, weekend-long yoga workshop led by yoga psychologist Ashley Turner, who helped me get into one of the deepest practices ever.

She showed us how to approach our yoga practice by understanding Chakras, or the seven power points of our bodies. Through chanting, meditation, asanas and even dancing, we learned how to open ourselves to new and sometimes more unconventional experiences.

Which brings me back to Yoga for Foodies—the new phenomenon that freaked me out when I discovered it a few weeks ago.

I circled back with Yoga for Foodies founder David Romanelli, who says the New York Times exaggerated in its depiction of his concept during a recent workshop in New York, particularly this part:

"All had signed up for a strange new hybrid of physical activity: first an hour of vigorous, sweaty yoga, then a multicourse dinner of pasta, red wine and chocolate. As soon as the lights went up, dinner was served on the floor: an (almost) seamless transition designed to allow the yogis to taste, smell and digest in a heightened state of awareness."

Romanelli says the practice is more of a downtempo Vinyasa class—not so sweaty that the room's too funky for the feast that comes after. And while the New York participants did find themselves dining on the floor, the upcoming Chicago class takes place March 8 in Province's upscale private dining room with a cocktail reception, multi-course meal, wine and dessert.

He says his classes, which he travels across the country teaching, encourage students to "plug into the moment."

"You’re stimulated in another way, and that much more able to enjoy the food. Put down the cell phones, BlackBerries and iPhones and truly enjoy the experience."

And for those who feel that his classes are not "real" yoga, he offers, "Yoga needs to keep growing, with new and interesting concepts to attract more people. So many people are turning to yoga as full-time careers, so if we expect it to grow, we need to be more accepting of other styles."

While Province owner/chef Randy Zweiban won't be participating in the actual yoga class, he will be front and center during the second half when the food is the star.

"Since this is following a yoga class, I'm not going to stuff people," says Zweiban. "We're doing five small courses, appetizers and a blood orange cocktail.

"I really like this concept because the smaller the bites, the more challenge I have to bring big flavors into the mix."

Some of the items he's whipping up include beef tenderloin and a spicy Hawaiian tuna with citrus flavors. Class is $95; reservations required as the room only holds 12; bring your mat!

If that price is a bit steep, Romanelli's also doing a number of wine+chocolate+yoga workshops at Total Body Yoga in Mundelein. March 5-7. $40 per class.

Nightlife News You Can Use . . .

Zach Friedlander of soon-to-open Gilt. (Photo: Carlos Enrique Cuarta)


Relax Lounge has been sold, according to an Ultimate Insider, but it's more interesting to find out who's behind the sale of the West Town tavern.

Our source says it was bought by the owner behind Witt's in Lincoln Park and Jefferson Tap—the West Loop bar that became notorious in 2006 when three off-duty Chicago cops allegedly beat several patrons.

He plans to keep it open until at least mid-March when he'll shut it down to transform it into a new concept. My guess is that it'll be another neighborhood sports bar like his other projects.

Speaking of Relax, former mixologist Zach Friedlander is part of the mixology team at Gilt when it opens Feb. 16. The restaurant has been getting lots of buzz thanks to the resume of owner/chef Brendan Sodikoff (a French Laundry alum), so we're expecting their mixology program to rival the likes of The Drawing Room and The Violet Hour.


SmallBar Fullerton open its doors to the public Friday. (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


Also, Alinea's hot shot chef Grant Achatz stopped by brand-new lounge The Exchange to get a lesson in "the history of gin" from mixologist Peter Vestinos on Wednesday. While there, he sampled a number of cocktails, including The Firefly (made with New Holland Knickerbocker Gin, Alpine liqueur, chartreuse, lime, egg white, bitters) and The Challenge (Tanqueray gin, Antica vermouth, cynar).

We're not sure if he tried The Exchange, a smooth sipper comprised of Death's Door vodka and a fruity new soda from Half Acre Brewery that was created by former Alinea pastry chef Mike Carroll.

SmallBar owners Ty Fujimura and Phil McFarland (who are also behind The Exchange) can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Their long-awaited SmallBar Fullerton debuts Friday night.

WhiskeyFest, going down April 23 at Hyatt Regency Chicago, features more than 200 of the world's finest, rarest and most expensive whiskies. High-end rums, tequilas, beer and other spirits will be repped as well. Get tix here.

And Karyn's on Green—the latest in Karyn Calabrese's vegan-focused empire—opened in the West Loop with an impressive list of market-fresh cocktails. She's pushing a number of classic and contemporary drinks, but also some non-alcoholic, healthy elixirs like El Gallo Bravo (pineapple syrup, fresh lime, cilantro, jalapeno, club soda), Aloe-Kombucha Cooler (Acai juice, aloe vera, fresh lemon, agave nectar, fresh basil, hibiscus Kombucha) and Clip On (coconut water, fresh lime, almond-spice syrup, flamed orange). Yum.

Hot Doug's is Taking a Vacation

(Photo: Hot Doug's)


For those who love Hot Doug's, the offbeat encased meat shop on the North Side, 312DD just found out that owner Doug Sohn decided to shut down Feb. 18-23.

A manager tells us that Sohn will be taking some well-deserved time off to visit relatives in Washington, D.C. He added that they typically don't close the restaurant this time of year, but when you're the owner you can do whatever you want, right?!

Plus, as hard as they work over there with lines snaking down the street on the coldest of days, they definitely deserve it!

One Last Call . . .

. . . before Valentine's Day rolls around, so are you all set with a date?!

If so, then great for you, but if not 312DD can point you in the right direction.

One of the weekend's coolest events is Paint-n-Palate, going down at Avram Eisen Gallery (5202 N. Damen Ave.).

It's a wine-tasting party where the main attraction is visual artist Nathan Jalani Taylor, who will paint a series of works on the spot. It should make for interesting conversation as guests attempt to re-create his work as they're all given paintbrushes, blank canvases and easels. Thank god he'll be walking around giving instruction so you don't look too bad in front of the others.

Your ticket also includes a $20 gift certificate toward custom framing at the gallery, appetizers and wine. 4-7pm Saturday. $45; advance tickets only at 773-574-5410.

More events to find a possible mate:

THURSDAY

I typically don't plug "speed dating" sets, but the fact that this one offers you a glass of wine to loosen you up could make for some fun times as you plunder among the participants (26-40 only). It's happening at Salute, in the Gold Coast, and it's free! Appetizers are also comped, but just make sure you're carrying a tin of Altoids. There's also a "secret admirer message exchange game." Hmmmmm. 6-7:30pm.

For 'sho there will be a bunch of guys circling SmallBar Wicker Park as they tap a firkin of Bells' HOPSLAM! Cask Ale Jam, which is supposed to be a rare sighting in Chicago. All unattached women in the area should be there. Yes. 8-11pm. No cover, but they're charging $7 for a 10oz snifter til it's gone.

Tonight's No Bull Thursday at Bull & Bear will be a full-on benefit for UNICEF's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. We have to give props to Outfit Chicago for hosting, as they've arranged for half of the proceeds from 3-6pm (when you order appetizers) to go to this worthy organization. Additionally, a $20 donation 6-8pm will also benefit and guests will get comped apps and drinks. A good mix of men and women. The party continues until 1:30am.

FRIDAY

The First Fridays that started it all in the early 1990s happens this time at Crimson Lounge. Get there right after work for half-price admission, and stay for the dance party. That means that you'll need to wear something extra cute to work. 6-11pm. Cover varies.

It's Millionaire's Flight Fridays at D.O.C. Wine Bar, not Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker," so don't go digging for $$$. Instead, take advantage of a number of wine flights that are only offered by the bottle. Each Friday, sommelier/wine director Greg Sorrell hand selects three glass pours for $25. This week, they're doing Turley Zinfandels: 2007 Turley “Presenti Vineyard” Lodi, Ca; 2006 Turley “Dogtown Vineyard” Lodi, Ca; 2006 Turley “Ueberroth Vineyard” Pasa Robles, Ca. 5pm-2am.

SATURDAY

For those not looking to club it up on a Saturday night, here's your best alternative in River North. Epic's massive first-floor lounge is the latest to collect a fashionable crowd of singles on the prowl. The best things: No bottle service and first-come seating. Deejay starts spinning downtempo tunes at 9pm and the mingling goes on until 2am. No cover.

SUNDAY

Surprised these guys never did this before. 20/30 Club—composed of mostly single professional men in their 20s, 30s and ahem, 40s—throws a Super Bowl party where $10 of the admission price goes to a local charity. You'll get endless food (corn dogs, sliders, hot wings) and an open bar for $35. What's really cool is that if you're not drinking it's only $10. Party happens in Lakeview at Rockwood Place. 5-11pm.

Expect to call in sick Monday if you plan to go to LaSalle Power Co.'s Super Bowl bash. They'll have drink deals like $4 domestic bottles, $5 bomb shots and $15 mix-and-match buckets (five bottles each, includes domestic and imported). For an extra $15, you can chow down from the buffet (Angus beef sliders, turkey sliders, sloppy Joes, tater tots, boneless chicken strips) until the party ends. LaSalle will show the game on a 167-inch plasma video wall and 10 50-inch flat-screen TVs. 4pm-2am.

Sound-Bar Made the Most $$$ in Chicago in 2009

(Photo: Sound-Bar)


Only two Chicago venues cracked the Top 25 in Nightclub & Bar and Technomic Inc.'s annual Top 100 Bar & Nightclub List.

Sound-Bar and Crobar came in 23rd and 25th places respectively for grossing between $10 million-$20 million in 2009.

Vision was 34th on the list, yet also grossed between $10M-$20M, but we think it was on the lower end of the scale.

Further down the line was Cubby Bear (#64; $5M-$10M), Rockit Bar & Grill (#70; $5M-$10M), Excalibur (#74; $5M-$10M) and Underground (#89; $5M-$10M).

Are you surprised of the placement of these bars on this list?! What about how much they made in 2009?

UPDATE: Several sources have emailed me to question the validity of this story, including one former publicist/marketing director for one of the venues:

"(The magazine doesn't) really have a fact checking department," she says. "I once wrote a release they used as the story."