Charles Joly Is On His Way To China

Here's a sign that you're officially an international sensation: when you get the call that you're going to showcase your talents for a global audience.

That's what happened to The Drawing Room's Charles Joly, who got tapped by spirits giant Pernod Ricard to travel to Beijing and Shanghai to participate in a program called Legendary Nights.

The bar star, in fact, got his visa Tuesday for the trip and even though he's never been to the Far East, he's extremely excited.

"I have no idea how to speak the languages there, but I don't care. I know I'm going to have a great time," he told 312DD.

Fried Chicken Takes to the Streets

Roost's fried chicken and biscuit photo via Thrillist Chicago.

This is nothing to complain about. It's actually very, very good.

Roost, a fried chicken-mac 'n' cheese-cobbler-biscuits truck, just hit the streets. It's owned by a Carolina native, who's introducing us to family recipes handed down for generations.

Here's a peek at the menu, and you can follow them on Twitter @TheRoostTruck.

Nothing But Sweet Stuff, Baby!

Black Dog Gelato photo via UrbanSpoon.com.

Stephanie Izard's favorite sweets shop, Black Dog Gelato, is set to open a Roscoe Village location later this spring.

Those residents have no idea just how lucky they are. Owner Jessica Oloros (who was Izard's former pastry chef at Scylla) gets super creative in flavors of her treats, with offerings in goat cheese cashew caramel, Mexican hot chocolate, roasted red pepper, and the whiskey gelato bar that's served on a stick and rolled in bacon.

If you cannot wait that long to get your sweet tooth on, FED UP's first-ever Desserts for Deserts happens in Logan Square next week.

James Beard Finalists Announced!

Next's dining room. (Photo: Next)

Last year, the actual James Beard award ceremonies were pretty dismal for Chicago, so here's hoping we'll fare better in 2012. New this year is a category for Outstanding Bar Program, in which two Chicago spots were tapped; no Chicagoan included in the Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional category.

Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter's) is named Humanitarian of the Year and Grant Achatz (Alinea, The Aviary, Next) is one of the 2012 Who's Who Inductees.

Here are the Chicago finalists; the Restaurant and Chef Award winners will be announced in New York on May 7:

Perennial Virant's Bar Star Moving On . . .

It hasn't even been a year yet since Perennial Virant's been open, but its highly lauded mixologist, Matty Eggleston, is moving on, according to several Ultimate Insiders.

Look for Eggleston to make his move soon over to Tenzing Wine & Spirits in a very high-level position for its spirits operation.

No word yet on who'll take over his gig over at Perennial Virant, but that is certainly going to be one difficult role to fill . . .

Settle In at the Kitchen Counter Table

The Purple Pig's six sweet seats overlooking the kitchen action are highly coveted. (Photo: The Purple Pig)

In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was all about getting a chef's table in the
kitchens of Trotter's and Tru to watch all the action going down.

Now, the most coveted seats in the house are at the counter tables situated right off the kitchen at hot spots like Ada Street, Balena and Storefront Company.

I offer the pros and cons of dining this style, as well as my top picks of kitchen counter tables at DiningChicago.com.

Freebie Alert: M Burger!

M Burger's signature double-stack burger. (Photo: M Burger)

This is the kind of news we LOVE.

To celebrate its second birthday, all M Burger locations (Loop, River North, Streeterville, Water Tower Place Mall) will generously give you a special gift.

The Perfect Party For Singles This Summer!

Culinary kings and cigar connoisseurs Rick Gresh (David Burke's Primehouse), Giuseppe Tentori (GT Fish & Oyster, Boka) and Cleetus Friedman (City Provisions) have teamed up to host the first-ever CigarBQue this summer.