The Return of White Star?!

An astute reader sent 312DD this photo of the brand-new signage and building permit for White Star (223 W. Ontario St.) in River North.

If the name and address look familiar. . . yep, it's one of the same and apparently the notorious night spot of the late-1990s/early 2000s is trying to make a comeback.

UPDATE: The new White Star is not affiliated with original owners, Ala Carte Entertainment.

For Single Guys & Gals . . .

. . . the good folks over at Mercadito/Double A have come up with an old-school way of "hooking up" on Valentine's Day.

They're encouraging diners to play an adult version of note passing, except these notes come with tequila shots. All you need to do is send the love note (see above image from Mercadito) to the object of your affection via the server.

Who knows what will happen next . . .

First-Ever Food Truck Meet-Up at Auto Show

Details are still being finalized, but the Chicago Auto Show is set to host its first-ever Food Truck Meet-Up.

What took them so long to do this?!

Organizers exclusively tell 312DD that the lineup of participating local trucks is still under wraps, but you know I will get those details ASAP.

Logan Square Gets Sweet New Saloon

Photo of Scofflaw partner Danny Shapiro via Chicago Reader.

Cocktail enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that yet another cool watering hole is coming to Logan Square.

Former 'tenders from the likes of Bonny's, Simone's, and The Whistler quietly purchased the old Streetside Cafe in December and are transforming it into Scofflaw, according to the Chicago Reader.

It's set to re-open late February or early March and the Reader got the scoop on the menu, which was given to them by partner Danny Shapiro (formerly of The Whistler):

Banchet Winners Announced For 'Best Chef,' 'Best Mixologist' & More

Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster and Sepia's Josh Pearson.

It was a big night Friday for Chicago's restaurant community as the annual Grand Chefs Gala took place at the Fairmont Hotel.

Benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the event attracted many of the city's heaviest hitters for the prestigious Banchet Awards, which rewards top talent on the local dining scene.

In addition to the awards ceremony, restaurateurs Jimmy Bannos and Scott Harris were presented with the Founders Award. That achievement honors those who have significantly affected lives in a charitable or humanitarian way. Bannos and Harris also own The Purple Pig, which took home the Peoples' Choice award.

Here are the Banchet nominees and winners (which are indicated by **):

It's All About Brunch on 'G-Spot' Debut Show

Frontier Executive Chef Brian Jupiter delivers a solid, Southern-inspired brunch every weekend with dishes like Bananas Foster French Toast. (Photo: Frontier)

Soul 106.3 FM's The G-Spot featuring music industry legend George Daniels (of George's Music Room) and radio vet Caryn Lee debuted Sunday with 312DD as a featured guest.

We dished on some of the best brunches in Chicago, spotlighting Frontier in Noble Square and Wicker Park's Bangers & Lace.

Frontier was even generous enough to drop by the station during the show with a few fantastic items, driving my point home. We chowed down on powdered beignets with a rum apple dipping sauce; smothered steak with red-eye gravy, Anson Mills grits and Over Easy eggs; and blue crab Benedict with roasted tomatoes, cayenne Hollandaise and toasted English muffin.

Bonsoiree, EL Chefs Collab On 'Anti Restaurant Week Dinner'

Shin Thompson (left) of Bonsoiree and Phillip Foss of EL ideas.

Not every chef slash restaurateur in town is excited about Chicago Restaurant Week, taking place Feb. 17-26.

Bonsoiree's Shin Thompson and EL ideas' Phillip Foss are planning an Anti Restaurant Week Dinner smack dab in the middle of the annual event on Feb. 21, according to GrubStreet Chicago.

"Restaurant Week is based on your ability to add volume, and for a small restaurant like Phillip's or mine, there's no way to make $33 or $44 work for us doing the kind of menu we do," Thompson tells GrubStreet.

They're planning an elaborate multi-course meal at the BYOB Bonsoiree, and they're still working on the details. We were lucky to get a sneak preview of a couple of dishes Foss is planning to serve during a massively delicious 13-course dinner at his restaurant Wednesday.

Update on New Project Going into 33 Club Space

The former 33 Club interior will look entirely different when it reopens as a new concept. (Photo: 33 Club)

Back in November, 312DD broke the story that the guys behind The Boundary, Sweetwater and Trace secured the former 33 Club space to build one of their signature casual venues that combines decent bar fare with a sports bar atmosphere.

Now Chicago magazine's Dish has more info: