Cocktails & Conversation with Salman Rushdie

What a shock for me to find a random email about controversial author Salman Rushdie making a rare appearance at Vermilion this week.

But what's even more random is that "Top Chef" co-host and model Padma Lakshmi—who just happens to be Rushdie's ex-wife—told me that Vermilion was her favorite Indian restaurant in the country.

Anyway, Rushdie's only going to be there 8:30-9:30pm Thursday for an event they're calling Cocktails & Conversation. No tickets, cash bar. Get there early and check out the food that Lakshmi lusted after.

Two chefs, one question, two answers . . .

Michael Tsonton, executive chef/owner of Copperblue.


Chefs are used to answering questions about all things food, but what happens when they're asked to give their favorite drink recipe?!

Michael Tsonton (Copperblue): "Buy a case of bottled Miller High Life, 'The Champagne of Bottled Beers.' Get a tub large enough to hold all 24 bottles and place them in the tub. Recycle the box. Cover the beer in ice and cold water and place in the walk-in. After getting your ass kicked on Saturday night where 2/3 of the dining room ordered dégustation menus, and two tables forget to tell you they had theater tickets, twist the top from an icy bottle and enjoy. Repeat until the tub is empty. Move to vodka."

Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno): "Blood orange juice, vodka and a splash of Campari with a blood orange twist."

After Taste

Thank God food writers finally have stuff on their minds other than the Taste of Chicago:

The Stew gets scoop on Rick Bayless' next project that's right next to his legendary Frontera Grill/Topolobampo.

Gapers Block rocked out at Freshii.

And Zagat gives props to 312 Chicago's "Locavore" night.

A foreign affair . . .

. . . is something you've always wanted, so why not go for it?! It's prime time tourism season in the city, so whether an Aussie accent makes you weak in the knees or a curvy Caribbean turns your head, you don't have to travel far to meet someone:

Andy's Jazz Club is famous for its lunchtime music fare, but most folks don't know about its appeal to outsiders. A strong Euro fan base usually can be found here on the weekends.

At Cafe Iberico, recent foreign transplants, especially from Latin America, come for authentic tapas and pitchers of strong sangria. The front room bar is like the United Nations, with guests communicating gleefully in their native languages, including Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French.

While Cubs fans and frat boys frequent The Wild Hare, you'll find a room full of Islanders across the street at Exedus II. The live-music venue specializes in Caribbean music, and they get down 'n' dirty on the dance floor.

Girls interested in finding eligible Englishmen (or Aussies, Scots and Irishmen!) should have luck at Globe Pub, a Northwest Side spot where they go to watch soccer and rugby matches. The neighborhood-friendly bar offers a traditional English breakfast as well.

From Afro-Cuban to Latin jazz, HotHouse continues to wow music lovers from all backgrounds. Once a month, ethnically diverse bands perform during events that turn into all-out dance parties. Events rotate to various venues on the North Side.

Upscale Euro types head to Le Bar at Sofitel for cocktails and a light bite before they hit the town. Even though most hotel lounges get their share of foreign travelers, this one is especially popular for its sleek, tech-y vibe that probably reminds them of home.

More tapas are on tap at People Lounge in Wicker Park, where an international crowd congregates. In addition to nightly live music and occasional deejays, they're coming for the budget-friendly food and drink specials.

Folks of all ethnicities come to Sonotheque for its eclectic beats and dynamite peeps. But for a real feel of exotica, go once a month for Braziliance, when co-owner Joe Bryl pays tribute to Latin American culture. The next one is actually going down July 10 (it's usually the first Thursday of the month), featuring cutting-edge Brazilian beats, hand-crafted mojitos and Caipirinhas, and a beautiful Latin crowd coming to dance all night. 9pm-2am. No cover before 10pm; $5 after.

'Recycle Your Ex' at Lumen-sponsored event

Slade and Jo from "Date My Ex." (Photo: Bravo TV)


"Going green" goes to the extreme with this latest effort planned to drum up some publicity for new Bravo TV reality series "Date My Ex: Jo & Slade."

The silly show features "The Real Housewives of Orange County" alum Jo De La Rosa, who is looking for love, and has enlisted the help of ex-fiance Slade Smiley.

It debuts on July 21, and Lumen gets in on the action by hosting a pre-party where guests are encouraged to recycle their exes by putting them up for auction here. All auction proceeds benefit the Natural Resources Defense Council. The event happens on July 15 and includes an open bar from 7-10pm when you RSVP here.

The secret to a red-hot summer?!

Here's something to toast to: The Chicago Tribune reports that watermelon contains an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra.

So drink up this weekend with these watermelon-infused cocktails (you may need two or three!) at several local hot spots:

Adobo Grill: You'll want to drink several of these WateRita de Sandia, made with Tequila Dos Lunas Reposado, watermelon juice, Cointreau and mint.

The Chopping Block: This special Girls' Night event is for women to learn how to make Watermelon Mint Mojitos for their men. Sign up now for classes taking place at the Lincoln Square location (4747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-472-6700) on August 7 and August 23 at 7pm or at the Merchandise Mart location (312-644-6360) on August 2 and August 28 at 6pm. $40 for classes that include snacks.

DeLaCosta: The Watermelon Muddle at this sexy Latin supperclub is an offshoot of a mojito with vodka, fresh watermelon, lime juice, soda water and crushed ice.

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club: Sit on the garden-like outdoor patio right off bustling Halsted Street and sip the Watermelon Martini, made simply with vodka and watermelon liqueur.

one sixtyblue: Guests can settle in at the bar for BARBQ for special summer dishes and end the night with fresh, cooling desserts like iced watermelon with a selection of spiked sorbets.

Plan B Bar + Kitchen: The hip Wicker Park bar and eatery offers two watermelon-flavored drinks. Do a Melon Drop shot (with Watermelon vodka, fresh lemon juice and a touch of sugar) or sip on the Watermelon Martini (a Jolly Rancher-style drink with Watermelon Pucker, Ketel One Citroen vodka and garnished with a watermelon slice steeped overnight in Van Gogh melon vodka).

Sushi Samba rio: Get down with some Samba Juice, which explodes in a burst of raspberry-infused rum, watermelon-flavored rum, acai, passionfruit, crème de banana and guava.

Star chefs back for Green City Market BBQ fest

So, before you get all burned out on barbecue, I wanted to leave you with a massive 'Q party taking place in a couple of weeks.

The Chefs' Summer BBQ Festival happens again at Green City Market, and more than 50 of the city's top culinary kings and queens will participate—of course using Green Market foods.

Big names include "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard, Heather Terhune (Atwood Cafe), Kendal Duque (Sepia), Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo), Christophe David (NoMI), Paul Fehribach (Big Jones), Paul Kahan (Blackbird) and Koren Grieveson (Avec).

You'll get to chug Goose Island beer and root beer, as well as sip sangria and wines from August Hill Winery as you nod your head to live music. All contributions support Green City Market. 6-8pm Thursday, July 17. $50 in advance; $60 at gate; an additional $100 gets you a reserved table, linens and 10 chairs.

Purchase tickets here soon because last year more than 1,000 folks turned out!

House of Blues takes a 'hit'

From an Ultimate Insider on former Wu Tang Clan member Rza's canceled concert last night at the House of Blues:

"Hip-hop extraordinaire, Rza, formerly of Wu Tang Clan, was scheduled to perform at the House of Blues after the openers. The House of Blues then had to evacuate concert goers before Rza was set to come on stage, due to a fire in the coat check! There are rumors that it could have been a fire from someone smoking weed! The concert goers will get reimbursed, but they never got to see the artist perform unless they attended the Official Rza Concert After Party at Rednofive.

Rza and his crew arrived at Rednofive shortly after the show was canceled and sat in the VIP section and sipped on Belvedere cocktails after taking photos on the red carpet in front. . . . . Rza, dressed in an olive green t-shirt, head band and sunglasses, later took the mic and performed for over half an hour here and there. The crowd went nuts and those that never got to see him perform at HOB were content."

Weed smoking?! Really?!