Help this dude out

Some poor sap from Toronto is trying to get a reservation at Schwa to no avail. Can anyone help him out?!

Yes We Can . . .

. . . get the 411 on the location for the bar they're trying to keep a secret from everyone! An Ultimate Insider tells me that the recently closed Rockwell Lounge in River North is the new home for Angels & Kings, that hot new rock bar from Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and company.

Look for it to open in mid-June.

Rick Bayless, house music and more

Frontera Grill chef/owner Rick Bayless will demo at the Green City Market today.


Whether you want to chill out at home with goodies from the market or dance the night away, there's something for everyone on this list:

Yet another rock star chef takes the stage at Green City Market this morning: Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo fame will demo at 10:30am. The Market runs 7am-1:30pm with seasonal local veggies and fruits. Free.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club is the place to be if you're looking to view Bravo's wildly popular "Top Chef" tonight on five screens and sip themed cocktails. Specials include two-for-one entrees and half-price select cocktails. 9pm.

If the weather is decent today, why not head to River North for the Block Party hosted by Ai and Zocalo? They're celebrating the opening of their new patios with alfresco dining specials, including $3 glasses of Japanese sangria and $3 edamame and selected maki at Ai; $5 margaritas and half-price appetizers at Zocalo. 11:30am-11pm.

You'll dig Trilogy, the deejay-driven event happening every Wednesday at Moonshine. Tonight's lineup features Spencer Lokken, Bear Who and Newlife spinning deep house and remixes. You'll also appreciate all the deals, including half-price pizzas, $15 Absolut vodka pitchers and $15 Hornitos margarita pitchers. 8pm-2am. Free.

More dance music is on tap at Zentra with We Love House Music Wednesdays. Hosted by Allay Soul, Aid to the SouLLess, and House Arrest, the party also includes a host of drink specials, including $2 vodka cocktails (10-11p), $5 tequila and rum cocktails, as well as a $35 bracelet for 9 premium cocktails. 10pm-4am. No cover.

I told y'all it was gonna sell out!

Word just came down that the Stephanie Izard dinner at the Drawing Room is sold out.

It sold out in 15 minutes! That's right, but because the owners don't want to turn away the fans, they've added a special post-VIP cocktail reception. Stephanie will be preparing two "culinary" cocktails using seasonal ingredients. It's $40 and starts at 9pm June 15.

graham elliot, others coming your way

graham elliot's Cheddar-apple risotto (with braised onion, green apple, Wisconsin bacon and Cheez-its) is one of the entrees on the menu. (Photo: graham elliot)


Today's the big opening day for graham elliot in River North. Chicago's first "bistronomic" restaurant is owned by former Avenues chef Graham Elliot Bowles.

Moderately priced Italian eatery Piccolo Sogno is expected to open on July 16, according to chef/owner Tony Priolo, who was the former exec chef at Coco Pazzo.

And we're sending out good vibrations for the June debut of Logan Bar and Grill in Logan Square. It's the latest project by the owners of Northside and Black Beetle.

Tempt yourself . . .

Pina Colada, Persephone and Mango Peach Poptails (Photo: DeLaCosta)


. . . with a tasty treat in the form of a refreshing cocktail:

Today's the perfect day to indulge in one of DeLaCosta's new Poptails, a cool combo of a cocktail and popsicle. Choose between Pina Colada (DLC's pineapple infused vodka, pineapple juice, lime and Coco lopez popsicle), Persephone (Grey Goose L'Orange vodka, Pama pomegranate liquer, blood orange puree, cava and a pomegrante popsicle) or Mango Peach (Bacardi Peach red rum, mango puree, orange juice, lime juice and a peach popsicle).

Or celebrate the end of the Democratic primaries with this ode to U.S. Senator Barack Obama. Plan B Bar + Kitchen has created the Ciroc Obama (Ciroc, splash of Chambord and lemonade with a grape sugar rim) that's certain to be a winner all summer long.

Get to Lincoln Park's cozy lower-level lounge Matisse for $2 sangrias, $6 taco plates and a chance to sit down on the intimate patio. It's a great spot for a date, but also for groups looking to avoid the madness up in Wrigleyville's watering holes.

And every Tuesday is Return of the Cocktail Party at Martini Park. Come early (5-8pm) for the delicious passed hors d'oeuvres and specially priced signature cocktails ($5-$7) like the Berry Fizzy Lemonade (Effen Berry Vodka, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and a Rock Star float, garnished with a lemon wheel) or Grapefruit Caipirinha (Ketel Citron, muddled grapefruit, lime, and simple syrup, garnished with a lime wheel). Stick around for the live music. Tonight, the Flat Cats perform at 7pm.

More info on the Fall Out Boy's bar

Newlyweds Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz.


The 411 is finally trickling in on that new venture from Fall Out Boy star Pete Wentz, who's teamed up with nightlife kingpins Matt Eisler (Empire Liquors) and Stephen Westman (Lakeview Broadcasting Co.) as well as Lyle Aker and Patrick Poncher (Five Star Bar & Grill) for the Chicago outpost of Angels & Kings.

It's done pretty well since opening in New York in 2007, so look for Angels & Kings to be a hit when it arrives in River North this summer.

Take it . . .

. . . to the streets tonight:

Get your liquid lunch on as David Burke's Primehouse brings back the 777 Wine Lunch, a semi-annual celebration benefiting Common Threads all week long. $7 gets you seven samples of different wines to complement your meal. Today it's chardonnay, Tuesday (cabernet sauvignon), Wednesday (summer), Thursday (New Old World) and Friday (South America).

Enoteca Roma's hidden outdoor garden is ideal for a romantic night out or if you're looking to escape the fray of the downtown bars. Every Monday, they offer select bottles of vino for $20 with dinner.

There's still a few spaces left for the beer class at Lush Wine and Spirits tonight. Guests will get the 411 on all things hoppy, malty and fermented. And if that sounds good to you, wait until you get to the tastings. They'll be pairing Belgian ales with bites. 7:30-9pm. $30.

And the annual Burgerfest at Rockit Bar & Grill kicks off today through Saturday. They've created a different yummy burger each day, beginning with a tangy Tuna Burger topped with wasabi mayo and paired with sweet potato fries. Other highlights this week include Wednesday's Duck a la Orange Burger that come with duck fat fries (!!!), Saturday's all-natural beef burger with heirloom tomatoes and fingerling potatoes and Sunday's Benedict Burger with poached egg, red onion brioche and bearnaise sauce. And don't forget to pair those with liquor-infused rootbeer floats and milkshakes.