What They're Cooking at 'Chefs and the City'

Participants at last year's "Chefs and the City" event at the Peninsula. (Photos: Vital Bridges)


Fashion and great food.

Life cannot get any better than that.

Vital Bridges combines the two passions with Chefs and the City, its sixth-annual cocktail party and fashion show at the Peninsula 6-10pm Thursday.

Thirty of Chicago's most noted chefs are taking part in the event by whipping up unique signature bites for guests to enjoy during a walkaround tasting. We asked around to find out what some of them were making for the big, sold-out soiree, and wow!, guests are certainly in for a treat.

Food Fight! Chicago Mag vs. Graham Elliot Bowles

Chefs, like artists, are sensitive as hell.

Ask Graham Elliot Bowles of the whimsical River North eatery that's made him a star at Lollapalooza as well as a colorful fixture on "Top Chef Masters."

Tuesday he went hard on Chicago Magazine because he didn't like its review of the cuisine that'll be served at the three-day music festival happening in August.

His words cut right through the bone in a Twitter message directed at the magazine:

Haters Gon' Be Haters . . .

I hope this isn't some sort of trend.

In March, Sarah's Pastries & Candies was robbed, and thieves made off with several items, including $2,000 in cash, a laptop and printer.

Karyn's Fresh Corner had its window broken in May, with someone taking $1,000.

Now comes word that the favorite gelato spot of Girl & The Goat owner/chef Stephanie Izard has also fallen victim to hoodlums.

Urban Burger Bar, Sono Wood Fired Opening Soon

Urban Burger Bar's "High Hog," a BBQ pork burger with Applewood smoked bacon, ham, Wisconsin white cheddar and apple-cabbage slaw. (Photo: Urban Burger Bar)


If you've been wondering what's going on at that construction site at North and Clybourn, 312DD's got the scoop for ya.

Look for Urban Burger Bar and its adjacent Sono Wood Fired to open in the Clybourn Corridor by the end of July.

Esquire Writer Weighs in on Chicago Michelin Guide

The Mayor and Jean-Luc Naret, worldwide director of the Michelin guides, are all laughs with The Michelin Man at the announcement party at A New Leaf. (Photo: Rick Aguilar Studios)


Every local media outlet's been abuzz about the prestigious Michelin guide finally coming to Chicago, and there's been sooooo much speculation on how many stars certain restaurants will get.

Even Esquire's controversial go-to food guy, John Mariani, weighed in with his predictions on how many stars Alinea, Blackbird, L2O and Moto will get:

Summer Hours=The Three Martini Lunch

Don Draper of AMC's "Mad Men." (Photo: AMC)


Looks like our main man from "Mad Men" knew what he was doing when he took those long-ass lunches back in the day.

On the hit 1960s-era series, Don Draper appears to be at the top of his game after a few cocktails. The question is: Can you do the same?!

River North's District Bar wants to test your skills with The Don Draper Treatment, debuting Friday.

Reader Gives 312DD a Few Props!

Nubia Henderson (center, with blond streaks) with guests at The Southern. (Photo: Nubia Henderson)


My favorite part of 312DD is helping folks pick the perfect nightlife or dining destination for special occasions.

I get these requests on the regular, and it really gets my adrenaline flowing as I give them options to help make their events memorable.

It's always nice to get a thank you email, but reader Nubia Henderson recently took it a step further after I recommended The Southern as a destination for her recent farewell fete:

Only In Wicker Park . . .

"Miss Hopkins If You're Nasty" crowned "Miss Wicker Park" Monday at Double Door. (Photo: Marcus Riley)


. . . would the newly crowned Miss Wicker Park proclaim in her acceptance speech: "Holy f--- s--, we're getting f--- up tonight!" as she sprayed the crowd with PBR.

That was the case Monday at Double Door during the first-ever pageant to crown the neighborhood's hottest hipster chick.