'Flavor Tripping:' 100% Sugar-Free Cocktails

Homaro Cantu's ING restaurant is poised to bring us 100 percent sugar-free Manhattans and more this summer.

There's nothing better than sipping sexy cocktails alfresco on a Chicago summer day. But all that daydrinking—and nightdrinking—can go straight to your hips, ass and thighs (I call it the HAT area) and that's the last thing you want.

But ING chef/owner Homaro Cantu believes he's found a solution to your worries with what he's calling the "world's only 'Flavor Tripping' cocktail menu." Will this scientific method, all the cocktails will be 100 percent sugar free.

How will this happen?!

May Is Mighty Nice For Munching

Mity Nice's "Hangover Burger" is available on Sundays only through May. (Photo: Mity Nice)

Look, we're all supposed to be getting it together before skimpy-wear season is here for the next three months, but there are soooo many damn temptations.

Case in point is over at Mity Nice, on the mezzanine of Water Tower Place, which is offering The Hangover Burger every Sunday in May as part of its Burger Month promotion.

You might need to share this one with a friend as it's a plumped up beef patty between two bacon grilled cheese sandwiches. Yes, you heard that right. Add a Bloody Mary and it's $21.

You can score one at lunch or dinner Sundays only in May.

Warm Weather Is Finally Here . . .

. . . so why not celebrate with a nice refreshing cocktail?!

I've rounded up some delicious drinks on Dining Chicago you can enjoy alfresco on your deck or at some wonderful places around town, including Hubbard Inn, Lula Cafe and Market.

Get out and about!

Chicago Gets Smacked Down at Beard!

"Thanks to the James Beard Foundation for recognizing mac 'n cheese and fried chicken," said Alex Young, the chef/owner of Zingerman's Roadhouse in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Young seemed as shocked as everyone else when his name was called at the annual awards in culinary excellence Monday in New York, especially seeing as he was up against an entire Chicagoland contingent in his category of Best Chef: Great Lakes.

You likely won't find "mac 'n' cheese and fried chicken" on the menus at Avenues, where Curtis Duffy helms the kitchen; Paul Virant's Vie, Michael Carlson's Schwa or at Bruce Sherman's North Pond, but I guess Beard wasn't looking for anything innovative this year. Oh, and did I mention that three of these restaurants received one or two Michelin stars?!

Another Reason To Lust Over Lillie's Q

Photo of Lillie's Q chef/owner Charlie McKenna via the Chicago Tribune.

This weekend marks the seventh year in a row that Charlie McKenna, owner/chef of Bucktown gem Lillie's Q, has competed in the May World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest in Memphis.

He placed first in 2007 in the "whole pork shoulder" category, and he's looking to do it again with his signature smoked swine at the restaurant he opened in 2010. The Southern-style spot was also just named Food & Wine's No. 1 of the Best New Barbecue Restaurants in the country.

Bartender Takes On Project of a Lifetime

Logan Lavachek of Duchamp Chicago. (Photo: Logan Lavachek)

It was by fate Logan Lavachek stumbled upon her grandmother's long-forgotten "bar aid," a vintage cocktail accessory popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

The perky mixologist at Double A, Duchamp and Sepia—which all feature solid cocktail programs by the way—found 80 cocktail recipes from the Adonis to the "Zazerac" in the bar aid, and a lightbulb went off in her head. Why not re-create all these drinks in their original form?!

Make Friday The 13th A 'Thirsty' One

Thirsty Girl founder Leslie Sbrocco hosts a wine-focused event at Sushi Samba rio. (Photo: Thirsty Girl)

Now, she looks like fun!

Thirsty Girl founder Leslie Sbrocco is coming to Sushi Samba Rio Friday, May 13, bringing delight to a day most folks dread.

The 16-town tour wouldn't be complete without stopping in our fair city, and this highly recognized wine and lifestyle expert aims to spread her knowledge to those who attend this lively after-work event.

Old Town Social Chef Kicks Off 'Meet The Market'

Old Town Social Executive Chef Jared Van Camp (Photo: Old Town Social)

So, this is pretty sweet.

Old Town Social's super star chef Jared Van Camp is on Green City Market's brand new junior board and he's kicking off the season (which begins today, by the way) with an awesome event series.