Hubbard Inn Has Been Sold

Hubbard Inn's interior (Photo: Hubbard Inn)

I received a tip earlier this week regarding the fate of ambitious River North cocktail lounge Hubbard Inn.

Apparently there are rumors that the team behind the bar as well as Barn & Company, Black Bull, English and LaSalle Power Co. sold everything last month.

"This is not true," says one of the principals, David Mitria.

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

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

Charles Joly of Aviary.

Bring on the sunshine . . .

• Beer enthusiasts should get excited about this: Aviary's Charles Joly has collaborated with Evil Twin Brewing and Against the Grain Brewery to create a porter using grilled corn husks. Check out the video.

• American Junkie is set to open Wednesday, March 20. In addition to acquiring former City Tavern/Sepia chef Kendal Duque as head chef, the River North-based restaurant has also recently tapped Bob Zrenner (Hubbard Inn/Black Bull Tapas) and Tony Potempa (Boarding House) to join the team. Zrenner will serve as #2 in the kitchen, while Potempa will head the cocktail program, which will focus on lighter, California-inspired cocktails. There will also be two cocktails on tap at all times.

The Shamrock 'Shake,' Jameson Cocktails & More Part of St. Patrick's Day Celebrations This Weekend

The line outside of Celtic Crossings in 2011. (Photo: Celtic Crossings)

Last year was absolutely insane on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago for a number of reasons. The Irish-themed holiday fell on a Saturday. It was sunny and almost 80 degrees. Everyone was in a great mood.

Even if we don't get similar weather this time around, everyone should still be in a great mood because there's just so much cool stuff going on. From specially designed cocktails and magically delicious cupcakes to authentic Irish restaurants and bars where you can get your Shamrock "shake" on, we've got you covered this week.

'Taste of Chicago' Kicks Off First-Ever 'Craft of the Cocktail' Event With Blackbird's Lynn House

If you're one of those people who abandoned the Taste of Chicago years ago, you've got a good reason to go back when the food festival returns to Grant Park this summer.

Blackbird chief mixologist Lynn House wrote this on her Facebook wall over the weekend:

"After 30 plus years, the Taste of Chicago is including the Craft of the Cocktail on its Celebrity Chef Mainstage. Guess who will be whipping up libations? Super psyched and honored!"

Go For The Food, Stay For 'March Madness' At These Chef-Driven Sports Bars Around Town

Old Town Social's in-house charcuterie program of lonza, mortadella, toscano, spicy coppa, summer sausage and lamb. (Photo: Old Town Social)

There's certainly no shortage of sports bars in Chicago, but when it comes to them serving up great fare the list gets so much shorter. We know you came for the games, monster-sized screens and seemingly endless choices for beer, but you can get that anywhere.

And please, let's just get beyond those wings and things. You've grown up and deserve to treat yourself to something better such as house-made charcuterie and smoked Louisiana alligator ribs.

Check out these all-star sports bars that actually serve good food.

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

Mercat a la Planxa's Jose Garces (Photo: Mercat a la Planxa)

It's cold outside, but these people are hot hot hot . . .

• Jose Garces was in town Tuesday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Mercat a la Planxa. Though he's not the day-to-day chef (that honor belongs to chef de cuisine Cory Morris), Garces' recognition is what brings faces into the Spanish-influenced place. Look for the "Iron Chef" winner to spend more time in his hometown of Chicago because he's scouting for a location for a new restaurant. He won't disclose the concept yet, but he promises that it'll be heavily inspired by one of his existing seven spots in Philly. We're looking forward to that!

• Miae Liam is out at Japonais and has taken long-time Mirai Sushi chef Jun Ichikawa with her to open a Gold Coast restaurant.

Le Bar Wants You To Take A Trip To Normandy For A Bit Of Nightlife & Noshes

The vibrant Le Bar interior (Photo: Sofitel Chicago)

Hey, anything to get out of the snow and into something hot.

It's the last stop on Le Bar's wonderful little tour of France, and it's happening in the sexy, northwestern region of Normandy.

As part of the event, which happens 5-10pm March 7, Le Bar spotlights some homegrown favorites, including the apple brandy Calvados in the night's signature cocktail (also made with simple syrup, lemon juice, apple juice, bitters, splash of ginger ale and fresh mint).

Calvados will also make an appearance in one of the event's appetizers, seared scallops with bacon and parsnip. There will also be glasses of apple cider and baked Camembert with grilled bread, dried fruit and walnuts.