Arami Boasts First-Ever Private Label Sake In City

Ichi No Torii, Arami's own private label sake (Photo: Arami)

With all the beer- and bourbon-focused restaurants teaming up with breweries and distilleries, this makes perfect sense.

West Town sushi spot Arami worked with Tojii Hibino of the Japanese-based Ohmuraya Brewery to produce Ichi No Torii (translates to "The First Gate")—the restaurant's own private label sake.

We'll Be Sippin' On A Saturday At 'Pinot Days'

Photo via Uptown Magazine

Who wouldn't want to spend an entire afternoon sipping some of the best wines in the world?!

Pinot Days returns to Navy Pier 2-5pm April 20 and you don't want to miss out on sampling up to 150 domestic vinos from the likes of the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. There will be 60 producers in the house.

Bartenders Aim To Raise $250,000 For 'Just One Shift,' Providing Clean Water Worldwide

I'm a little surprised that so few Chicago bartenders are participating in Just One Shift, a project happening at restaurants and bars nationwide to raise $250,000 so that people everywhere have access to clean water.

The event goes on all this week and three local bartenders have signed up to generously donate their tips. Here's where you will find them:

Christian Gosselin Is Out As Boarding House Executive Chef

Former Boarding House chef Christian Gosselin

It's been less than four-and-a-half months since The Boarding House opened and there are already some major changes happening.

The most dramatic is that Christian Gosselin is out as executive chef as of April 5.

Boarding House partner Alpana Singh exclusively told 312DD of his departure:

So Very, Very Hot Right Now

Megan and Don Draper toast to a great "Mad Men" season. (Photo: AMC)

Football fans look forward to Superbowl Sunday. Movie enthusiasts live for Oscar night. And if you're like me—a classic cocktail connoisseur—your night is this Sunday: the return of "Mad Men."

The 1960s-themed show is so great that you wouldn't want any distractions during the two-hour premiere. You don't want to hear anyone talking when Roger Sterling delivers one of his wickedly awesome one-liners.

But there's an event that kicks off at PUBLIC Hotel Sunday that just might tempt me to mingle with other like-minded folks.

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

Sprout chef Dale Levitski celebrated his 40th birthday during a surprise party on Monday. (Photo: 312 Dining Diva)

Let's get on with it: Bring on spring.

• Dale Levitski (Frog N Snail, Sprout) is experiencing an especially busy season. The former "Top Chef" finalist turns 40 today (April 3), celebrates the first anniversary for Frog N Snail on April 5, and recently transformed the menu over at Sprout. Levitski has been spending much of his time lately at Sprout, where he's turned the menu into a multi-course, prix-fixe experience for $65 per person (an extra $35 with wine pairings). The menu is seasonal with the signature, whimsical accents that originally put Levitski in the spotlight. There's a lot of game on the menu (think foie gras, rabbit, exotic fishes), but also a few inventive preparations with vegetables. And to continue the celebration of his 40th bday—and Frog N Snail's anniversary—Levitski's special event takes place on April 5 where diners get to "choose their own adventure" for $40. They'll get an appetizer, entree, dessert and complimentary glass of bubbly.

• David Morton and Michael Kornick (Ada St., DMK Burger Bar, FishBar) are moving fast with their plans for a chef-driven BBQ joint in Little Italy. The name for the project is County and it takes over the space formerly occupied by the iconic Italian eatery Gennaro's. MK Executive Chef Erick Williams will oversee the menu. Look for items such as Texas-style brisket, smoked lamb shanks, veal breasts, Kansas City-style spare ribs and a daily signature cocktail when the restaurant opens later this year.

Sequins, Chefs & Socializing For Good Causes

A few very stylish soirees go down this week, and you'll want to know about them if you consider yourself a fashionable foodie.

Looking to meet some of Chicago's most fabulous movers and shakers?! Head to Cru Kitchen & Bar at 9am April 5 for Sequins For Breakfast. The event is meant to empower women and proceeds benefit Bright Pink. Attendees, of course, are encouraged to wear their best sequins, and nothing is too dressed up. The first 50 guests get a memorable swag bag. Purchase the $35 tickets right here.

While Sequins for Breakfast caters to the well-dressed woman, Common Threads' event at belly Q targets dapper dudes. Fashion Rocks showcases hot spring looks from haberdash with delicious food and libations to satiate. There will be cooking stations from the likes of David Burke's Primehouse, Spiaggia, Carriage House, Frontier and Jam, plus local craft beers, live fashion installations and kegged cocktails. Tickets are $150 and available right here. 6:30-9:30pm April 7.

Quite a few events are happening concerning the ambitious and first-ever Fête: A Weekend-long Festival of Food & Design April 4-7. There's a food-and-design market featuring notable chefs and designers; tours around the city; a one-night only pop-up restaurant featuring food from Pecking Order, Ruxbin and Trenchermen, as well as other events. Proceeds benefit mobile produce market Fresh Moves, and ticket information may be found right here. Times and venues vary.

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

Eric Mansavage of Farmhouse (Photo: Farmhouse)

The sun will come out . . . today.

• Farmhouse Executive Chef Eric Mansavage is incredibly busy these days. He recently launched a new brunch menu that has already garnered a steady stream of fans on Saturday and Sunday. The menu's seasonal, of course, keeping in line with the restaurant's philosophy of using local and fresh ingredients. Highlights include the Farm Egg Scramble, which comes with spicy breakfast potatoes, and sweet potato biscuits & gravy with venison sausage. There's also a small list of brunch cocktails, which include a signature Bloody as well as seasonal cocktails listed as "savory," "sweet" and "sour." Farmhouse is also planning an expansion to Evanston, which Mansavage will oversee when it opens in late May.

• Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar this week introduced an enormous chef's bento box that should certainly leave you satisfied. It comes with 12 items, which are customized to your tastes. It's available during lunch and dinner.

• Peter Balodimas steps down as Rosebud restaurant group's corporate chef to open Domestic in the just-shuttered Rosebud Trattoria.