312 Chicago chef on the move

It's been a big year for some of Chicago's popular chefs to break out on their own. Graham Elliot Bowles left Avenues last winter for his eponymous River North eatery, then Coco Pazzo's Tony Priolo left to launch Piccolo Sogno, and, of course, Randy Zweiban departed Nacional 27 for his hot Province property.

Now comes word from the Chicago Tribune's Monica Eng that 312 Chicago's Dean Zanella is kicking it solo come December to work on his own neighborhood-focused restaurant.

Sake, maki and more

Who cares if the weather's a little wacky today. Get out and enjoy yourself with one of these special events:

Get the 411 on sake with expert Aya Nomoto at Drinks Over Dearborn, the newest spirits shop to hit the River North area. Sake It To Me introduces guests to just about every style (Junmai, Ginjo, Daiginjo, Nigori), and if you really like something, you'll get to take it home at 10 percent off. 7-8pm. $25.

Speaking of Asian delights, Blu Coral hosts its Customer Appreciation Day all evening, with comp champagne, gifts and a $10 gift certificate for all dine-in customers.

Bravo's "Project Runway" finalist Daniel Vosovic gets you ready for the winter with tips on style as he signs copies of his new book, "Fashion Inside Out!," at Jake. Sip on bubbly and nibble chocolates as you sift through the season's hottest styles in this tony Rush Street boutique. 939 N. Rush St. 6-8pm. No cover.

Speaking of Bravo, the fifth season of "Top Chef" kicks off tonight, and once again Chicago's in the running for the title. This time, it's Radhika “Rad” Desai of Between Boutique Cafe and Lounge, and she's personally picked out tonight's menu for the viewing party at the restaurant. The special tasting menu includes curried lobster bisque, spice-rubbed butterfish with spinach and chorizo, braised duck samosa and ginger chocolate mousse in a chocolate tart. 8:30pm. $50.

And, as always, Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club hosts a "Top Chef" viewing party, featuring themed cocktails and dishes. Get there early to nab your seat and chow down on the specialties: Big Apple Borscht (beet stew with apples, potatoes, parsnips, onions; $6); Quickfire (spinach salad with smoked duck, goat cheese, dried cranberries, maple balsamic; $10) and Butcher Block (Rosemary-rubbed veal rack with garlic mashed potatoes and hericot vert; $25). The cocktail of the night is the Top Chef Tini (Vox vodka, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, splash of champagne; $6). Also, ask your server about many half-price martinis, and all entrees are BOGO (buy one, get one free). Show starts at 9pm. No cover.

French 'dive' lounge next in Ukrainian Village

As with most Matt Eisler ventures (Empire Liquors, Angels & Kings), the French-focused Bar Deville aims for a chilled-out neighborhood vibe.

And how excited are we that he's bringing this new project to Ukrainian Village—which is also home to a host of top-notch hangs like Old Oak Tap, Sonotheque, Tuman's and Five Star Bar & Grill—next Monday.

A few highlights that'll certainly make this one of your favorite new watering holes: three cool rooms in which to hang, particularly the back closet bar for daily beer and shot specials; hand-crafted cocktails from the Margarita to the Manhattan; and its hidden appeal in a non-descript building on the corner of Huron and Damen.

Art Smith to the White House?!

Apparently President-Elect Obama is not playing around when it comes to picking his new team. This just came in from an Ultimate Insider:

"My friend who is a GM at a top Chicago restaurant was at a chef event this week and overheard Rick Bayless asking Art Smith if he accepted the job to become the President Elect's white house chef."

This is sooo nuts. I just speculated about the possibility of Rick Bayless (Topolobampo) or Art Smith (Table Fifty-Two) going to the White House yesterday, and now this.

I can totally see it happening because according to foodreference.com, Smith was the executive chef to former Florida Gov. Bob Graham, a special events chef for Martha Stewart Living Magazine and Oprah Winfrey's personal chef for 10 years. He also lives in Hyde Park—near the Obamas—and is currently working on a new dining concept in the Washington, D.C. area.

Oh, I am so on this story . . .

Who will cook for Obama in the White House?!

When Prez Obama and the First Family move into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in January, in addition to a new puppy for the girls, there'll be a new exec chef in the kitchen.

Let's cross our fingers that the professed foodies bring one of our esteemed local culinary kings—or queens—with them.

According to this article, the Obamas' tastes in restaurants range from Italian Fiesta Pizza on the South Side to Spiaggia (where they spent their wedding anniversary in October), the award-winning Mag Mile gem overseen by Tony Mantuano.

They're also big fans of mega-chef Rick Bayless' upscale Mexican eatery Topolobampo; Kendal Duque's fashionable French fare at Sepia (which is right next door to Michelle Obama's favorite dress designer Maria Pinto); and Art Smith's homey celeb magnet Table Fifty-Two that's popular for its Sunday fried-chicken suppers.

Hey, he cannot go wrong with any of those guys!

Update on next project from The Gage team

Way back in April, Dish had this to report on The Gage:

"Dirk Flanigan and Billy Lawless, the men behind The Gage (24 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-372-4243), have secured the 2,000-square-foot space next door, and are moving forward with a new concept. 'We are still working on what we want to do,' Flanigan says, 'but I can tell you that it’s going to be one of the coolest spots in Chicago—if not the coolest spot on Michigan Avenue. It’s going to be really, really cool. . . . "Cool" is what I can give you right now.' Stay tuned for more."

I caught up with them today for an update, and they had this to say:

"I can confirm that we are doing a new restaurant just north of The Gage. Similar to The Gage, it is in a historically landmarked building; so, prior to building out the interior, the façade of the building will be restored—which is the gating factor. Erected in the late 1800s, the façade was one of architect Louis Sullivan’s last commissions. Our goal is to open by Fall 2009, and I will be able to share details about our concept in a month or so."

Exclusive: Exec chef abandons brand-new Farmerie 58; was it the review or something else?!

The ink is barely effing dry on this Time Out review on month-old Farmerie 58, but Executive Chef Billy Alexander is out as of Tuesday, says the manager. He adds that the departure is a matter of creative differences between Alexander and the owners.

Sous Chef Nathan Kosakowski, Alexander's protegee, has been promoted to the top spot, but don't look for him to make any changes to the menu until December.

Wonder if the shakeup also had anything to do with the TOC review (which in my opinion came out way too early)—in the current issue—or is it just the fact that the economy sucks?!

We've been waiting for this!

Cheer on Between Boutique Café & Lounge exec chef and "Top Chef" contestant Radhika “Rad” Desai when the show premieres on Bravo at 9pm on Nov. 12.

Between's hosting a viewing party, where Rad herself has whipped up a special tasting menu of her favorite dishes, including curried lobster bisque, spice-rubbed butterfish with spinach and chorizo, braised duck samosa and ginger chocolate mousse in a chocolate tart. That's $50, so go and whoop it up for the homegirl.