'Shift Drinks' Shifts to New Location

Say goodbye to Shift Drinks, the popular Monday night industry party at Pops for Champagne where high-profile restaurant and bar folks mingle until last call.

Monday, May 24 is the last event at the bubbly bar, as the lower-level lounge goes down for some major renovations for the next three months. Yours Truly and Inovasi owner/chef John des Rosiers guest bartend for the final event at this location.

Gilt's Cellar Lounge Opening Any Day Now . . .

(Photo: Natasha Hernandez)


In April, an Ultimate Insider gave 312DD the scoop on Gilt Bar's cellar lounge that's set to open this month.

Now, we've got even more info:

STAGE BITES: The Weekly Dining & Drinking Guide

"My Brother's Keeper" is at Black Ensemble Theater through May 29. (Photo: Daniel Nicholas)


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

My Brother's Keeper: The Story of the Nicholas Brothers at Black Ensemble Theater. Legendary tap dance siblings Fayard and Harold Nicholas are spotlighted in this energetic production that includes dance, singing and live music. Props especially go to Michael Bartlett as Michael Jackson and Kylah Williams performing as Dorothy Dandridge. 8pm Saturdays, 3pm Sundays through May 29. Get tickets here.

Anna Maria Pasteria: Old World pastas and Italian entrees at reasonable prices are the draw at this long-time neighborhood eatery. The spaghetti paired with Anna's homemade meatballs and classic lasagna with bolognese sauce are to die for.

Lamb Meatballs Added to Duchamp Menu!

Duchamp's lamb-pinenut meatballs are drizzled with basil-lemon pesto. (Photo: Duchamp)


Exciting news from upscale neighborhood hang Duchamp, which has added a tasty new meatball dish to its spring menu.

Now that the weather's finally going to be favorable for alfresco dining this weekend, you'll want to hang out on their outdoor patio for share-able plates of lighter fare. Chef Michael Taus' Mediterranean-style meatballs are made with lamb and nicely complemented by pinenuts, crispy French feta, mint and a basil-lemon pesto.

It's Gonna Suck When 'Oprah' Is Over . . .

Movie star Drew Barrymore dined at Frontera Grill Thursday, then picked up pizzettes at Lakeview favorite Socca.


. . . because a lot of celebrities won't have a reason to come to Chicago when her show ends in 2011.

That could possibly include Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Kourtney Kardashian, who were spotted Thursday chowing down at Frontera Grill by owner/chef Rick Bayless, who excitedly tweeted the sighting:

Watch Out, Guys, It's Baaaaaack!

"SATC 2" doesn’t hit theaters until May 27, but the partying gets underway this weekend.

That's when women all over town shimmy into their slinkiest dresses, match those up with the hottest handbags and sashay all over town in skyscraper stilettos.

One of the events they'll be heading to is a gratis wine tasting party, "SATC"-style, at Randolph Wine Cellars. From 2-6pm Saturday, the wine will pour freely and apps will be passed.

The Girl, A Goat and The Diva

Some of these lucky "goat" buttons will gain folks entry into "friends and family" dinners for Girl & The Goat before it opens. (Photo: Girl & The Goat)


Girl & The Goat Executive Chef Stephanie Izard sent foodies into a frenzy Tuesday when she posted that she was giving away 1,000 Goat Buttons as a promotion for the opening of her new gastropub.

Not only will these little knickknacks be cool keepsakes once the resto gets going, but if you're lucky enough to snag one you could gain entry into one of the "friends and family" dinners happening right before it officially opens in June.

Thieves Strike . . . Again . . .

From an Ultimate Insider:

"Police report says window broken and $1,000 taken from Karyn's Fresh Corner on May 8."

Glad no one was hurt!