How 'Bout a Meatball Casserole?!

(Photo: Timothy O'Toole's Gurnee)


Since lasagna can get rather boring, Timothy O'Toole's Gurnee chef Sean O'Brien decided to put his own spin on the classic Italian dish 12 years ago.

He created a Meatball Casserole that comes layered with giant meatballs (the size of softballs!), marinara, pasta and cheese. It's only available at the Gurnee location (Streeterville used to serve it), so if that's too far for you to travel, he's generously given us the recipe:

The Buzz on Rooftop Honey Wheat Beer

The bees behind Rooftop Honey Wheat Beer. (Photo: Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile)


This should be a pretty sweet treat this summer . . .

Half Acre Beer Co. teams up with the Marriott's Harvest restaurant to create Rooftop Honey Wheat Beer.

More than 350,000 Italian five-striped bees call the downtown hotel's ninth-floor rooftop home, and hang out in five hives (up from three last year) to produce over 200 pounds of honey.

Food Fight Over Pigs at Cochon 555!

I thought this guy was the WTF chef of the week, until I found out about this guy at a Cochon 555 event last weekend:

"According to multiple witnesses, (Eric) Bechard, now the chef/co-owner of the lauded new Thistle restaurant in McMinnville, Ore., started a fistfight with Cochon 555 founder Brady Lowe outside Magic Garden, an Old Town strip joint. Earlier in the evening he also headbutted Elk Cove Vineyard’s Craig Hedstrom before being dragged out of the Cochon 555 afterparty at Davis Street Tavern by none other than notorious chef Tom Hurley.

'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: