'Spectacle' Includes Elusive Schwa Chef

Chef Michael Carlson of Schwa. (Photo via The Stew)

"I literally had to camp out and go in there at times when I knew he'd be there," Redmoon Theater's Sean Kaplan confessed to Eater on how he snagged Schwa's elusive chef/owner Michael Carlson for his annual event.

"When I met him he was one of the most friendly, genuine guys I had (ever) met. I told him what the mission was and he said he doesn't do benefits, but he liked what I proposed and said he was a fan of Redmoon."

That's freaking HUGE that they got Carlson to serve food at Spectacle Lunatique (6:30pm March 12) for the VIP portion of the event. It'll also include top chefs Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Giuseppe Tentori (Boka), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia), Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Jimmy Bannos, Jr. (The Purple Pig), Bill Kim (Belly Shack/Urban Belly), Randy Zweiban (Province), Chris Pandel (The Bristol), Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate) and Jessie Oloroso (Black Dog Gelato) as well as mixologist Charles Joly (The Drawing Room).

Last Hurrah For Art Smith's 'World Festival'

It had a good run, but now it's time for a change.

Common Threads' World Festival—the gourmet grubout staffed by some of the most recognized names in the culinary world—will be no longer following its final event on March 7 at Soldier Field.

And to no one's surprise, this final blowout will go out with a significant bang, as founder Art Smith of Table Fifty-Two has gathered the likes of Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), Michelle Bernstein (Michy's), Anita Lo (Annisa), Bill Kim (Urban Belly/Belly Shack) and Chris Pandel (The Bristol) to serve as his celebrity chef hosts.

Lushing Out with LUPEC

Sonja Kassebaum of North Shore Distilleries (Photo: Sonja Kassebaum)

To kick off Women's History Month, 312DD kicked it Monday with the Chicago chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails—better known as LUPEC—at Bar DeVille.

This sounds so prim and proper, doesn't it?!

I was so effing prepared to munch on miniature cucumber sandwiches and sip Champagne-gin cocktails as we politely discussed current events and the state of cocktails. But I was briskly told that this was not that kind of party.

I was first introduced to the members, some of whom I knew and some of whom I had heard about but had never met. Most were bar-industry vets with long resumes, such as Lynn House, who works at Blackbird and is also the chapter's president; Debbi Peek (The Bristol); Logan Lavachek (Double A, Sepia); Leanne Strickler (Nana); and Sonja Kassebaum (North Shore Distilleries). (Missing in action was Bridget Albert of Southern Wine & Spirits.)

The Bedford's Location Revealed

(Photo: Mark Steuer)

Sooooo, information is slowly leaking out about Mark Steuer's new Wicker Park project, The Bedford, which we were the first to tell you about in January.

The location is at 1612 W. Division St., in an old bank building, and it's set to open in mid-April. From what we understand, it's well on its way to being finished and if all goes well with the city, they should be opening on time.

Bartenders On 'Savory' Cocktail Trend

Adam Seger and his savory Mojitonico cocktail. (Photos: Adam Seger)

Local bar stars balked at the idea of Austin's trendy new Duck Fat Sazerac, but how do they feel about other savory cocktails?!

We talked to several of them and got their thoughts on "smoked" drinks, herb-infused elixirs and more . . .

What's Next For The Rockit Guys?!

Rockit Ranch Productions partners Brad Young (from left), Billy Dec and Arturo Gomez. (Photo: Rockit Ranch Productions)

Some of the principles of Rockit Ranch Productions were in New York City Monday, and they were eating as though their lives depended on it.

Billy Dec—who was accompanied by partners Arturo Gomez and Aeron Lancero—tweeted that the crew was on a mission to dine at 14 restaurants in 14 hours.

Hot News For Andersonville!

Kyle McHugh of Lady Gregory (Photo: Kyle McHugh)

The guy who's known as the Boozehound around town is taking his grind to Andersonville.

Kyle McHugh, who shuttered the upscale River North spirits shop Drinks on Dearborn at the end of 2010, has been named beverage director at Lady Gregory's.

Cheers To Harry . . . And Ron Santo!

Ron Santo (left) and Harry Caray (Photo: Harry Caray's)

If you didn't have plans at 5:55pm CST March 1, you do now.

That's when the 13th annual Worldwide Toast to Harry Caray happens at Harry Caray's. New this year is also a tribute to Cubs announcer Ron Santo, who passed away in 2010.