Monday, December 22, 2008

Hub 51 in complete control of Nightlife Poll

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Hub 51 is in the lead in the second-annual nightlife poll. (Photo: Hub 51)


Who would've thought River North newcomer Hub 51 would command such a lead in the second-annual 312DD nightlife poll?!

Props to them, but you still have four days left if you want to break the lead. To vote, just scroll to the bottom of the page!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Exclusive: Buzz on what's next in The Buzz space

The long-time, Latin-focused nightclub known as The Buzz is coming to an end soon.

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that the team behind Enclave recently took it over with plans to regut it into something entirely new. Look for that yet-unnamed project to debut next spring, possibly in April.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Weiner's Circle shutters; people pissed

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Say what you will about Weiner's Circle, the late-night Lakeview hot dog spot made famous for its foul-mouthed staff and rowdy revelers, but it'll be missed.

The city shut it down on Friday because they had no hot water. WTF. That's just gross.

Whatever the case, fans and haters of the greasy fast-food joint are sounding off on its sudden demise on blogs everywhere.

Just a taste:

"Sounds like another newbie-customer missed the point and got offended by the waitstaff and made a bogus complaint. And all they find is what? The hot water wasn't working, and the cooked onions were a bit on the cold side (my guess is they just made too large a large batch at a time)? That's it? Really? Geez. Shut down half the other hot dog and burrito joints in town, because this is some pretty ticky-tack stuff relative to what I've seen at a lot of these places. Whoever the thin-skinned busy-body is who reported them should move back to Schaumburg."

"No food service business can operate without hot water. You put your customers at risk for serious illnesses such as e.coli, listeria, etc. etc. The owner was certified in sanitation so he knew what the risks were. Your health is not 'ticky-tacky stuff.'"

"Rudeness and insults aren't cute, even when they're aimed at drunken frat boys. Yeah, everyone knows the food sucked, but they should be shut down for ripping off customers at night (they routinely quoted prices higher than the menu, expecting the drunks to not notice, no doubt pocketing the proceeds). And, no, I'm not a suburbanite. I can actually see the place from my window. Glad I soon won't have to--I hear the owner doesn't plan on reopening and has plans to sell the building."

"This is a travesty. All you people who say this place is disgusting clearly don't know hot dogs. This place serves some of the best hot dogs in the City."

"You have to understand, it is in Lincoln Park, which means if you do get sick from the food, it will be a hipper, more trendy food poisoning."

"Good riddance to this dump. Most overrated place in town."

"This place is a disgrace to Chicago and the institution of the Chicago Style Hot Dog. I hope it is shut down permanantly. Somewhere along the line these jerks have gotten the idea that being foul mouthed, rude, and generally offensive to their is cute and adds ambiance. While I do not patronize this toilet that calls itself a restaurant, I do not feel that there any need for incorrigable behaivior or continued health code violators in our community. Close this rat trap. Maybe Demon Dogs can reopen there."

"The Weiner's Circle is, indeed, disgusting, and only TRUE CHICAGOANS can survive eating there. (The dogs and fries are delicious, BTW.) Whiny surburbanites - do us all a favor and go back to your ancestral malls! The Weiner's Circle is an experience in true Chicago improv, where 'playing the dozens' is the ENTIRE POINT. That place needs a webcam!"

Thursday, December 18, 2008

This dive's a dame

Thrillist has additional info on new bar Lucky Lady, which 312DD introduced to you early last month:

"Co-owned by the guys behind luxe clubs Manor and RiNo, the Lady's a dark-wooded, rock-and-country drinking lodge sporting a hefty, U-shaped oak bar, 13 flatscreens, a red-walled pool room, and herds of antler chandeliers and deer heads. The booze situation's limited to the essentials: short-skirted, high-booted bartenders serving staple domestics (Iron City, High Life, etc) and microbrews (Half Acre Ale, Abita Amber, Great Lakes Eliot Ness); there are no specialty cocktails, and all hard liquor drinks come in 12oz glasses, which should reduce your trips to the bar, but won't."

Update: Get there tonight 8:30-11:30 for the free drinks!

Exclusive: Meet Scott Walton

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(Photo: DoubleTree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile)


Here's something to look forward to in 2009: Market House.

Executive Chef Scott Walton, the former chef at the Sheraton and Magnum's Steakhouse as well as the head of his own catering biz, is excited about this new farm-centric concept going into the ground floor of the new DoubleTree Hotel in Streeterville.

We're especially excited about the menu, of course, which is following the trend of offering diners market-fresh dishes made with organic and sustainable veggies, meat and seafood. We got a taste of what to expect when Market House debuts in mid-February (they're shooting to open by Valentine's Day!), as Walton trotted out his twists on small plates, offering wild boar corndogs (wild boar sausage in blue cornmeal dipped in whole-grain mustard), toasted cauliflower hummus on herbed flatbread, and jumbo prawns accompanied by Bloody Mary sauce and avocado and horseradish cream.

Also new: Opened just yesterday is the yet-unnamed hotel lobby bar that's done up in chrome with a centrally placed fireplace behind the bar. Of course, Walton's had a hand in this project as well, particularly in the new handcrafted vodkas in seasonal flavors like candy cane, tangerine, citrus and vanilla bean. If you cannot make up your mind, just order them all in an infused vodka flight, served chilled, for $20.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Samba into the New Year . . .

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They're doing a sizzling samba soiree at Cat's Meow and Capote-themed Black & White Party at In Fine Spirits.

I've added those events to What's free on NYE?!, the most comprehensive, hottest (!!) and budget-friendly guide for what's happening on New Year's Eve.

Hello, Publican fans?!

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The pork shank at The Publican. (Photo: Grant Kessler Photography)


After all the year-long buzz, props and foodie frenzy surrounding Publican, I'm tres shocked their fans haven't come out strong for this nightlife poll (scroll down to the bottom to vote!).

After all, Hub 51's supporters certainly are not shy because they've voted enough to give the River North hot spot a serious lead over the competition.

Come on now, guys, it's time to vote!

Exclusive: Gone too soon!

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So an Ultimate Insider sadly reports that Agave Bar & Grill, the Lakeview spot known for all-natural, handcrafted margaritas, is closing Sunday.

Word is that the current owners will be re-opening under a new concept in the New Year.

Hope it works out for them!