Something good's cooking this weekend . . .

Dale Levitsky of Bravo's season three of "Top Chef."


Oh, it's a little dreary today, but the star power still hanging around town should pick up your spirits.

"Top Chef" fans can check out a special tour making a stop in town today. Olympic fans who didn't have a chance to meet the athletes during Oprah's taping get another shot Saturday when "Redeem Team" star Dwayne Wade hosts a gold medal affair. And those looking to make fans of their own can audition at Spy Bar for a new VH1 reality show:

THURSDAY

Top Chef: The Tour hits town for the second day, happening at the Green City Market (1799 N. Clark St.) in Lincoln Park. Former contestants Dale Levitsky and CJ Jacobsen (both from Season 3) offer guests a first-hand look at how to make it as a Top Chef, complete with cooking demonstrations, gourmet tips and show secrets. 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Free.

Enjoy Spanish vino?! Get your fill at In Fine Spirits during this tasting that explores the exotic region. Also, meet pioneering Spanish winemakers Raimundo Abando and Luis Ollar as you enjoy tapas-style appetizers. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Soul Essentials is the event going down every Thursday at Red Kiva, with resident deejay Cordell Johnson behind the tables. No drink specials, but the sounds will certainly get you high. 10pm-2am. No cover.

Celebrity designer Nate Berkus is the special guest host for Basil Hayden Tastemakers Design Chicago, happening at Lumen. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the finalist as well as sample specialty bourbon-infused cocktails by Basil Hayden and appetizers. 7-9pm. RSVP to info@lumen-chicago.com for comp admission.

FRIDAY

The Windy City Wine Festival is back for a fourth year, taking place at Daley Bicentennial Plaza. Sponsored by Binny's, the event will include more than 250 wines to sample along with appetizers, cooking demos and live entertainment. 4-10pm Friday; 3-10pm Saturday. $25 in advance; $30 at door; $10 designated driver ticket. Call 847-382-1480 for tix.

Liar's Club, one of the few unpretentious nightclubs left in Chicago, is one of those guilty pleasures. And tonight they're hosting Neon Hi-Tops, an event promising to be full of unpredictable moments. Get ready for $2 PBR, $3 Kilo Kai Rum shots and $4 Kilo mixers. 9pm-2am. Free before 11pm.

SATURDAY

This is what we've been talking about! This sounds like a great Fulton Market party with music that's not your usual bag of tricks. It's celebrating the second anniversary for Permanent Records, with drink specials, deejays spinning offbeat tunes and live music. It's happening at AV-aerie (2000 W. Fulton St. #310, 312-342-6280) and it's free. Doors open at 8pm.

SUNDAY

Take a late-morn stroll to Lincoln Park Zoo, then head over to Perennial for their brand-new brunch. They're pushing a seasonal menu, so right now you'll be good to go with items like the Spanish omelet (olive oil poached Yukon potatoes and onions, garlic aioli and petite salad), Legs Benedict (poached eggs, duck leg confit, hollandaise and English muffin) or French toast (almond baguette, peaches, lemon ginger crème fraiche). We're also looking forward to the brunch cocktails on the menu right now: a Hazelnut Brunch Daiquiri with espresso, Pyrat rum, hazelnut liquor served with floating crushed coffee beans and the B2 with Basil Hayden’s bourbon and basil-infused simple syrup with a touch of orange bitters. 9:30am-1:30pm Saturday and Sunday.

And get ready for the Bears to get their revenge for that Super Bowl loss to the Colts. Do it in style at Cityscape Bar at the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, as they're offering a number of specials to get your through what's certain to be a nail biter. Order the Football Flights (4oz beer flights for $6) or half-price apps, which includes mini Angus beef burgers, Buffalo chicken straws and roasted duck tamales. Game starts at 7pm.

Sex tape 'star' looking for new co-star

But luckily for the ladies of Chicago, this time it's all about a VH-1 reality TV show for notorious R&B singer Ray-J, who made headlines last year for filming some kinky moments with then girlfriend Kim Kardashian.

The open casting call occurs at Spy Bar, with the goal of "single, beautiful and confident women up for the challenge of turning hip-hop artist Ray J into a 'one woman man' . . . all contestants must . . . possess a love for the hip-hop industry and the ability to handle the drama of a celebrity lifestyle."

Didn't Flavor Flav already do this?!

It's this Saturday, 8pm-midnight, if you dare.

On the radar . . .

Eater's infamous Deathwatch is the most feared section of this New York dining and nightlife blog, so it should be interesting to see whether they bring it to Chicago when Eater launches here next month—a year behind schedule.

For those not familiar, Deathwatch monitors whether a bar or restaurant manages to survive despite all odds stacked against it. Some critics have complained that once an establishment is "Deathwatched," it has no chance in hell to make a comeback.

Signs of a seriously slow dining news day

The Stew is reporting on the "waning sidewalk cafe season."

Digging for gold (medalists)

Where will the likes of Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, Misty May Trainor and others be grubbing (and clubbing) while they're in town?!

If you happen to run into any of them, drop a comment below or an email. I just hope they're doing something beyond the usual suspect spots . . .

Another one bites the dust

This sucks.

Dwayne Wade hosts Gold Medal affair

I bet you've been licking your chops at the thought of meeting some of those gold-medal Olympic winners in town today taping the "Oprah" show.

While that likely won't happen, word just came in that Miami Heat and "Redeem Team" star Dwayne Wade is hosting a Young, Fly & Flashy gig at Vision on Saturday.

It would've made more sense to host it tonight to cap off the daylong frenzy certain to take place at Millennium Park, but it looks like Wade's turning this party into one of his infamous Miami jams. Expect celebs from the fashion, music, movies and sports industries with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Wade’s World Foundation, which helps at-risk children.

Doors open at 10pm, and tickets likely start at $20.

(Reality) food fight!

Who's the ultimate reality TV chef?!

You'll be able to decide when two of the biggest reality food stars face off in a competition at the Chopping Block.

Rock Harper ("Hell's Kitchen") and Stephanie Izard ("Top Chef") go head to head in a mystery basket cooking competition, and one lucky guest will win the chance to join Chopping Block founder Shelley Young in choosing the winner.

Appetizers from Izard's soon-to-be named restaurant and Harper's forthcoming book will be served with cocktails. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Event takes place at 6pm Sept. 29. Reservations required; tickets $125.