Why The West Loop Will Be On Fire This Summer

Musician Frank Orrall (left) and Yvonne Cadiz Kim and Bill Kim.

Here's evidence that the West Loop just got even cooler:

Poi Dog Pondering frontman Frank Orrall and mixology vet Peter Vestinos have signed on to some very important projects in the area.

The guys were dining separately at Nellcôte Wednesday with high-profile chefs working on two of the West Loop's hottest spots.

Freebie Alert: The Publican!

(Photo: Bob Briskey Photography)

Through March 24, The Publican's hooking you up with a chance to get gratis draft beer.

All you have to do is bring non-perishable items to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository between these hours: 3:30-10:30pm through Thursday; 3:30-11:30pm Friday; and 10am-11:30pm Saturday.

All guests who donate will get a ticket for a complimentary draft beer that they may redeem immediately or save for a future date . . .

Another Rooftop Planned For West Loop ... Or Not?!

Market Bar rooftop photo via allrooftops.com.

When it comes to chilling on a rooftop lounge in the West Loop, right now you've got two choices: Bottom Lounge and Market Bar.

The problem, however, is that when it comes to chowing down, Bottom Lounge offers super casual fare, and Market's menu, well, isn't all that good.

So, when Eater Chicago recently reported that one of Brendan Sodikoff's upcoming projects was a pizza-focused eatery in a massive space off Green and Randolph streets, we decided to investigate more. Turns out that Sodikoff—who also shares a courtyard with the soon-to-open RM Champagne Salon as well as Graham Elliot's new spot, G.E.B.—is the only one with the green light to utilize the rooftop space.

We were pretty thrilled about the idea of a West Loop rooftop with some good food, but when we reached out to Sodikoff, he had this to say:

A Recipe For . . .

. . . Cocoa Old Fashioned.


Don Draper, Roger Sterling, Joan Holloway and the rest of Mad Men's motley crew return for the fifth season in a two-hour premiere on March 25.

This is big and you'll need to celebrate with a very special cocktail.

Sepia's incredibly talented mixologist Josh Pearson puts his spin on the classic Old Fashioned—which also happens to be Don Draper's signature sipper—and of course I've got that recipe for you:

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: