People Want Locally Owned!

More than 100 hungry folks waiting in line on the first day of the new M Burger at the Thompson Center. (Photo: M Burger)

So. Here's the scene during lunchtime on the first day of M Burger at the Thompson Center.

Its 100-plus person line is proof that Lettuce Entertain You's first-ever burger concept wasn't just a fad, and that folks are willing to choose local spots over the typical big-name chains!

'3 Guys in a Booth' Looking For Fab Fourth

James Rhine (left) and Jerry Azumah are two-thirds of Three Guys in a Booth. (Photo: Three Guys in a Booth)

I was particularly intrigued when the latest dining-focused media dynamo came across my radar.

OK, it does have something to do with the fact that Three Guys in a Booth—a new webisode series checking out Chicago's hottest restaurants—are all exceptionally good looking (not exactly something that happens often in this industry!), but also because of who they are.

You'll immediately recognize former Bears star Jerry Azumah, who revealed to me his fondness of food when he excitedly gave 312DD an exclusive first look at Next.

Local Bar Stars Reinvent Chocolate Martini

Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Vodka (Photo: Godiva Chocolate Vodka)

When two bottles of Godiva Chocolate Vodka—compliments of Godiva Chocolate Vodka—arrived on my doorstep one afternoon, I decided to have some fun with them.

Instead of immediately gulping them down straight out of the bottle (so chocolaty, so smooth, so incredibly rich!), I convinced two talented, local mixologists to make me some inventive cocktails you too can make at home.

GT Fish & Oyster's Johnny Costello hooked me up with about five different cocktails, which he somehow managed to pair with the rich seafood served at the River North hot spot. He used Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Vodka. One was a Negroni-style sipper he dubbed Dark, Bitter and Sweet (Hey, is that drink named after me?!).

And Chasity "Bar Star" Beasley of Fulton's on the River created sweeter, more dessert-like libations such as the Peppermint Patty. She used Godiva Chocolate Vodka in her cocktails. Think creamy, chocolate-mint ice cream.

Wanna find out what else they made and get the recipes?! Here's the story at DiningChicago.com.

Cheers!

Namaste!

Photo via flickr.com

See you Beautiful People soon! It's time for a GLAM DETOX.

312DD will be back in action Sept. 13.

XXOO

Here Comes Fall's Biggest Foodie Fests

Blackbird's Paul Kahan (from left), "Top Chef" winner Richard Blais and Perennial's Paul Virant are set to appear at Chipotle's first-ever "Cultivate Chicago" event in October.

If you thought summer's chef scene was busy, just wait until we roll into fall. Holy Smokes will it be a busy one as event after exciting event happens with some of the biggest names in the biz.

Green Tie Ball returns after taking a year off in 2010. The theme is A Return To Emerald City, and organizers have secured more than 40 restaurants and four food trucks to serve up signature bites. Just a taste of the talent: The Drawing Room, Four Seasons, Jam and Owen & Engine. 6:30-8:30pm (VIP); 8:30pm-1am (GENERAL ADMISSION) Sept. 17. $125-$250. Get tickets here. A. Finkl & Sons (2011 N. Southport Ave.).

Local and national culinary stars will be everywhere you look at Chicago Gourmet, happening at Millennium Park Sept. 23-25. In addition to daylong chef demos, wine and food tastings, seminars and competitions, there is the second-annual Hamburger Hop, taking place Sept. 23. That's when a number of local restaurants compete to find out who offers the best burger in town (last year's winner was NoMi's Ryan LaRoche, who's a judge this time around). You can also score a free day pass for Chicago Gourmet by participating in the Dine Around program. Buy tickets to Chicago Gourmet here.

Hot on the Radar NOW . . .

Union Sushi + Barbeque's ritzy Up Bar lounge. (Photo: Union Sushi + Barbeque)

Cocktailing, a little couture and River North's newest burger bar are on my mind this week:

Californian Tim Goodell was named a Best New Chef by Food & Wine in 2000, and now he's making his mark in Chicago with a burger concept. 25 Degrees boasts a number of signature sandwiches and boozy sippers. We're especially excited about the decadent-sounding #2, which comes with roasted tomato, crispy prosciutto, burrata and pesto. Um, yum. You also have the option of "crafting" your own burger from a selection of meat, cheeses and sauces. Also looking forward to sampling the Salty Caramel "spiked" milkshake with Bulleit bourbon, butterscotch, vanilla bean ice cream and Hawaiian red sea salt.

Chicago q fetes its first year with its very own private label bourbon. q Bourbon is distilled by Evan Williams and single-barrel aged for 10 years. You'll be able to get it in $2 pours, served on a silver tray, neat, accompanied by a rocks glass with a house-made 1.25-inch ice cube and an eye-dropper filled with distilled water. The special bourbon will also be used in a refreshing Ginger Fizz for $5. It's available Sept. 4-10.

More than 40 of Chicago's most influential women will walk the runway during a fashion show at the Palm Court at The Drake. If you want to know what you should be wearing this fall, you'll want to be here. Fashions from Bloomingdale’s, Mark Shale, L.K.Bennett, Karen Millen, Club Monaco and more. VIP ($50) and general admission ($25) tickets are available here. 6-8pm Thursday.

It’s Time For Another Female ‘Top Chef’

The Bristol's Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Rockman. (Photo: Bravo)

If you combine all the Top Chef franchises—Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, Top Chef Just Desserts and Top Chef All-Stars—that's almost totaling 15 seasons of the popular culinary competition.

But all those seasons have managed to result in only one female Top Chef winner, which, of course, is Girl & The Goat's Stephanie Izard.

That's just crazy!

Another Chef Showdown Coming Soon!

Yet another chef competition is coming, this time benefiting the Special Olympics.

A number of the downtown area's culinary kings and queens are set to go head to head in the fourth annual Chefs on the Grill event at the Plaza on the Grill from 6-9pm Sept. 14. Each chef will whip up a signature dish, then guests vote on their favorites. The winning chef gets bragging rights to the Chefs on the Grill trophy until next year's event.