Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

Michael Carlson photo via the Chicago Tribune

Hot shots on the move . . .

• A number of top-notch toques are getting together to help raise funds for a learning garden for Cesar E. Chávez Multicultural Academic Center on the South Side. The likes of Michael Carlson (Schwa), Andrew Zimmerman (Sepia) and Cary Taylor (The Southern) are whipping up the vittles and Chris Gerber, general manager of The Aviary, is hosting. The event takes place 6-9pm Jan. 28 at Cesar school (4747 S. Marshfield Ave.). Suggested donation is $75 and may be purchased by emailing Aaron McKay. Your ticket includes non-alcoholic beverages from Rare Tea Cellar, Peace Tree Brewery and European Imports.

• Get ready to squeal. The entire chef lineup for Baconfest has been revealed.

• Here's iNG/Moto chef Homaro Cantu on Good Morning America plugging his miracle berry diet.

• This is exciting news for the home cook. According to Time Out Chicago, you can now take home sauces created by the chefs of Girl & the Goat, Big Star and Pecking Order.

• The Gage Executive Chef Dirk Flanigan has resigned to work on his own project.

Sushi Dokku—From Former Sushi Wabi Owners—Is Now Open For Business

Got a tip that Sushi Dokku opened for friends and family Monday evening.

I called, and sure enough the hostess who answered the phone invited me to "come on in" to check it out even though the restaurant wasn't officially opening until Jan. 15.

Sushi Dokku's arrival is exciting because it's from Susan Thompson and Angela Hepler-Lee—two-thirds of the former owners of the now-shuttered Sushi Wabi. If you remember, there was a ton of drama surrounding that closing.

Anyway, the new restaurant is directly across the street from the old venue, and regulars of Sushi Wabi should be happy to see some of the old menu standbys. New to the menu are what they're calling "dressed nigiri bites," which will be accompanied by garnishes and sauces. Expect also typical maki rolls, hot and cold Japanese dishes, and a small ramen menu.

Here are some photos of Sushi Dokku's menus. Yeah, you're going to have to squint a bit!

Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Great Lake Pie!

From a reader:

"I live around the corner from Great Lake and ever since the word got out they were not resigning their lease—the line has been insane. This was at 5pm this past Sat. night, it wrapped around all the way to the alley!"

A Super Dog for the Big Game and Other Unique Chicago Spots for Football Fans

Public House's signature mini Kobe corn dogs. (Photo: Public House)

We still have no idea which teams will square off in the Super Bowl when it kicks off at 4pm on Feb. 3, but at least there's Beyoncé. She's certain to rock out at the 50-yard line.

You can be a star on Super Bowl Sunday too—if you whip up the best snacks for your guests during your fantastic fete on football's biggest day. Public House Executive Chef David Blonsky's gives us the recipe for his mini Kobe corn dogs, which should certainly make your case for MVP.

Is Sodikoff Restaurant Group's New Deli Going Into The Just-Shuttered Steve's Deli Space?!

Photo: Steve's Deli

Steve's Deli has an outgoing message on its answering machine that it would only be closed the weeks of Christmas and New Year's. It still hasn't opened and direct calls to the owner have resulted in disconnected numbers (I've been told by an Ultimate Insider that he moved back to his permanent home in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where the original Steve's Deli is located.).

In related news, Sodikoff Restaurant Group (Au Cheval, Bavette's, Gilt Bar, Maude's Liquor Bar) is working on opening Dillman's, a Jewish deli in River North.

People Lounge To Close, Plus Other Shockers

People Lounge interior via Nightout.com.

The week kicked off with the news of Great Lake abandoning its Andersonville digs and Michael Simon leaving his high-profile bartending position at Carriage House. There's so much more:

• According to Eater Chicago, People Tapas Lounge is closing on Jan. 20. No word on why it's leaving, but the owners are also behind Division Ale House, which is also in Wicker Park.

• The guys behind Rockit Ranch Productions have unveiled their latest project, which is going into the old Martini Ranch space. GrubStreet's assessment was pretty restrained. For me, Ay Chiwowa's Mexican theme feels like it's going to be more like a combination of Taco Bell and Tavernita's Barcito (mostly because of the similar dog mascot). Even one of RRP's biggest fans was disappointed about the name, and added that she expected a "Latin lounge with a whimsical twist, perhaps. Fun, festive yet sophisticated. South-of-the-border Sunda?"

Lakeview's Wood Restaurant Gets Big, Um, Honors From Popular Gay Hookup Site Grindr

The interior of Wood restaurant. (Photo: Wood)

Grindr describes itself as "discreet" and "a simple app that uses your mobile device's location-based services to show you the guys closest to you who are also on Grindr." That pretty much sums it up as a hookup tool.

It's been around since 2009, but this year they've decided to hold the first-ever Grindr's Best of 2012 Awards, and a few of Chicago's shining stars made the cut.

Lite Bites: What Your Favorite Chefs & Mixologists Are Up To Around Town This Week

Andrew Brochu (Photo via StarChefs.com)

Welcome back to the first full week of the New Year!

• The return of Andrew Brochu?! The former Graham Elliot, EL Ideas chef has a new project that is apparently starting this weekend in Wicker Park, according to Chicagoist. The Monarch takes over the space formerly occupied by Uberstein.

• Chicago Originals Week returns at the end of the month. Get ready for two- three- or four-course tastings that showcase chefs' menus at the likes of Kiki's Bistro, Mexique and Oceanique. It happens Jan. 24-Feb. 3 with special deals priced at $29.13.

• City Winery chef Andres Barrera finally revamps the menu that's been slammed by every critic in town.