City Hall is out of touch

The city's proposed seventh-inning cutoff for Wrigleyville is stepping it up a notch, with the mayor threatening the area's bars to play along with his rules or "that whole area will be voted dry tomorrow."

Is this fair?! Even if these bars play along with the city's terms, don't they realize that people will just start binge drinking before the seventh inning—or even worse—BYOF (bring your own flask). Also, exactly what boundaries are we talking about here? Does that include the Southport Corridor and Boystown?! And what about the restaurants and lounges that serve alcohol but are not considered "sports bars?"

There's gotta be a better solution without everyone getting all worked up; plus if this area goes dry, the city loses millions of dollars and is this the image it wants to portray as it continues to pursue that 2016 Olympic bid?!

Chicago Gourmet is on its way . . .

Cary Taylor, of Chaise Lounge, is one of many Chicago chefs cooking at this weekend's first-ever "Chicago Gourmet" event. (Photo: Chaise Lounge)


. . . and if you cannot wait until this weekend, check out Chaise Lounge, which is serving up Executive Chef Cary Taylor's offerings for a fraction of the price of the actual event. All this week through Sunday, foodies can sample what he'll be serving at Chicago Gourmet, including "deconstructed" Waldorf Salad (roaring 40s bleu cheese, black walnuts, yogurt dressing), crab cakes, "crispy" chicken and whole wheat penne for only $30. And if you do plan on attending Chicago Gourmet, which showcases some of the city's hottest restaurants, 312 Dining Diva readers get an online discount of 10 percent off when they use the promotional code: CG2008TEN.

Luscious Latin fare and Goose Island beer pairings happen at Carnivale, with a special appearance by brewmaster Greg Hall discussing his award-winning craft beers. Several farmers will also be on hand as part of the "localvare challenge." 7-10pm. $45.

Over at Nacional 27, they're pairing five wines with five courses of Latin American cuisine. The weekly Wine Down Wednesdays is $25 for basic wine pairings; $45 for luxe wine pairings; $50 with Spanish cheese and port pairings.

The most social wine party of the month happens tonight at Quartino. A stylish after-work crowd fills up the second level of this loungy pizzeria for a sampling of four wines, appetizers and cool music. This time they're doing French vino as well as each guest gets a specialty St. Germain cocktail. Also, for those wanting more wine, they're selling featured bottles for $10; drink it there or take it home. 7-9pm. $20.

And quirky deejay Matt Roan spins during Politically Empowering Fiercely Fashionable, hosted by Salon Blonde and Rock the Vote. Happening at Double Door, the big headliner is Bang! Bang!. 7:30pm-2am. $18 in advance; $24 at door.

Someone always @#$%@#$$!# stuff up for the rest of us . . .

Thanks to some idiots fighting over in Wrigleyville after the Cubs games, we may all have to suffer.

The Sun-Times reports the city is asking bars and restaurants around Wrigley Field to stop serving alcohol after the seventh-inning stretch to prevent Cubs playoff celebrations from turning ugly.

Right now it's a volunteer effort—and owners are resistant—so hopefully it doesn't go through because those recent incidents were random by some really bad eggs—not the Cubs' true fans.

Plus, that would be a ton of money lost over there!

This deserves a celebration!

Café Selmarie, known for its delectable pastries and price-conscious comfort fare, turns 25 this week. Don't you think that deserves a toast?! They do too, that's why today through Sunday the restaurant offers a comped glass of bubbly with lunch and dinner.

Another noted anniversary takes place at Lumen with a special performance by the one and only DJ Psycho Bitch, singing by house music legend Dajae, and a deejay set by Lego. Lumen's industry night has been going strong for one year now, so get there early for the festivities. Belvedere vodka hosts the bar with complimentary cocktails 9-10pm, and of course there will be drink specials. 9pm-2am. No cover.

Impress a lunch date or a sig other with a fabulous lunch at David Burke Primehouse. Burke’s NoBull Lunch, offered Monday through Saturday, includes an appetizer, entree and dessert for the price of the entree. For example, get the pan-roasted Alaskan king salmon ($25), pan-roasted half chicken ($20) or petite “South Side” filet mignon ($26). 11am-3pm.

It's budget-dining night every night at Madame Tartine, the sixties-styled, French supperclub decked out in shades of red, white and black. For $29, you'll get a three-course meal that's paired with a half carafe of red or rose. Choose from steak frites, risotto, roasted chicken or baked salmon for your entree.

And get gussied up and head to the charity wine tasting benefiting Kaleidescope, Inc., which raises money for over 4,000 children in Chicago who require care outside of their home due to abuse and neglect. Guests will sample a variety of vino paired with appetizers at WineStyles Chicago. 6-8pm. Get the $35 tix here.

Look for more 4am bars . . .

. . . to be popping up soon in the 42nd Ward (River North area), as the alderman there is seriously considering overturning the moritorium on after-hours liquor licenses. An Ultimate Insider gave 312 Dining Diva the scoop last week.

Developing . . .

Beer-focused eatery finally opens in Bucktown

The Bristol opens in Bucktown on Tuesday. (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


After all the high drama, false starts and flood damage, The Bristol finally opens tomorrow.

Is it worth the hype?! Urban Daddy Chicago gives us a sneak preview of what to expect, including a 60-plus beer list and a chalk wall full of menu items like Taco-Stand Corn on the Cob and Grilled Whole Fish with Sour Cherries.

Sounds good to moi.

Get ready for Mai Tais—again

The Stew's Phil Vettel is getting us all excited about the return of Polynesian-flavored Trader Vic's in its new Gold Coast home.

Monday is Funday

Who knows how many amazing days we have left like this?! I highly recommend you getting out and enjoying it:

You can still get a reservation for the Art of Cocktailing event, happening at The Violet Hour. House of Campari and Swindle magazine host, and guests get to choose one of four designs by artist David Weidman, which will be recreated onto complimentary canvas tote bags. Specialty Compari cocktails, priced $2-$7, for the night include the Maloney Negroni (Campari, Beefeater gin, Carpano Antica Formula, house orange bitters); LaBotija (Campari, Pisco Santiago Queirolo, Aperol, lime, Frutabomba Bitters); and The Rivera (pineapple-infused Campari, Luxardo Maraschino Liquer, egg white and lemon). 7-9pm. No cover, but RSVP required.

You'll get half off on any bottle of wine—or BYOB—when you buy an entree at Feast on Monday or Tuesday.

Expose yourself to some African hip-hop at Sonotheque. Nomadic Wax African Hip Hop Showcase happens with performances by Ghana's M.anifest, Senegal's Baay Musa, Uganda's Krukid and others. DJ Boo spins. 9pm-2am. $10.

And more international sounds are on tap as Hothouse continues the 10th-annual World Music Festival at Uncommon Ground through Wednesday. Tonight, you'll get Balkano, a Chicago-based band playing Balkan-infused jazz and klezmer. Tomorrow, Canadians Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko kick out African- and Appalachian-influenced grooves. And Wednesday's show is Flamenco guitar and song by Vivian Garcia. All shows start at 9pm. $10 donation suggested.