EXCLUSIVE: Cru Cafe & Wine Bar to close

THIS just arrived in the mailbox from an Ultimate Insider:

"Just heard Cru Wine Bar was sold to the owners of something called 'fiesta' and is getting a makeover, will be closing in about a week."

Naturally we checked out this tip with a quick call to the Gold Coast restaurant/lounge, and it's true. Goddess and Grocer, the adjacent cafe and upscale gourmet sandwich shop, will remain open.

So if you're a fan of the infamous Cru Club (made with mounds of grilled beef tenderloin, lobster, avocado and chipotle mayonnaise), you'd better get one before it's too late!

Someone's Having a Birthday!

Debonair Social Club's Claudia Gassel. (Photo: Claudia Gassel)


Some hot heavyhitters blow out the candles on their birthday cakes this week:

She's got sultry style and pin-up girl looks, but make no mistake, Claudia Gassel (Jan. 12), partner of hipster Wicker Park restaurant/lounge Debonair Social Club, is one shrewd businesswoman.

Nightlife promoter Rick De Allay Soul (Jan. 13) keeps house music alive over at Zentra, where he presides over Jack Fridays each week. He's made quite a rep with these parties, lining up local and nationally known spin stars who've found a brand-new audience in his eager young patrons.

Grooveparlor deejay and founder Mario Romay (Jan. 14) gets the underground house heads to bow down to his parties every week at Cuatro. And when you can't make them, you can always catch his mixes as well as those from other deejays here.

And super-girl promoter and all-around do-gooder Sarah Vargo (Jan. 16) made her mark with The Diva Series, honoring local women from the arts, media, fashion and entertainment industries. The party's now at Crimson Lounge on Thursdays (starting Jan. 22), but don't be surprised to find her name attached to other high-profile events.

Mmmmmmmm, soup's on!

You're probably cold down to your bones right about now, but 312DD's got the cure:

THURSDAY

Look for the thermometer outside Salad Spinners's door to find out how much you'll pay for soup today. Owner Rich Levy will give you a free (if temp dips below zero) eight-ounce cup of butternut squash, French onion, Cajun jambalaya or chicken noodle when you buy a salad or sandwich. If it's above zero, you pay that price. Now that's a reason to brave the chill!

Speaking of freebies, tonight's the grand-opening party for Urban Joe (3324 N. Clark St., 773-529-5637) in Wrigleyville. It should be worth your while just for the free haircuts, beer and appetizers from Roadhouse 66. 6-8pm. No cover.

Head over to The Drum and Monkey for the hot new party hosted by DJ John Curley. The music, ranging from electronic house to hip-hop, will certainly keep you warm, but so will those $5 Effen Black Cherry bombs and $3 Jack Daniel's cocktails. 8pm-2am. No cover.

FRIDAY

The dynamic Frank Orrall takes a break from touring with Poi Dog Pondering and Thievery Corporation to drop beats at Juicy Wine Co. Performing under the handle DJ El Dandy Charro, he'll spin stuff you won't hear anywhere else. 9pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

The guys over at Cellar Rat almost never do events anymore, so we were surprised when this one came across the desk: A wine and pizza tasting with eight vinos paired with pies. And it's free. 3-6pm.

Sheffield’s hosting its first-ever Beer School Beer Festival, with more than 15 rare and specialty suds—some not available to other Chicago bars. Brewery reps from the likes of Bells, Three Floyds, Dogfish Head, Peak Organic, Allagash, Surly, Two Brothers and Goose Island will also be on hand to answer questions, plus guests get to sample from four firkins of specialty brews under a heated tent. 1-4pm. $40 for 12 tickets (additional tickets available for purchase).

SUNDAY

The long-awaited Bristol brunch begins today. Yummy a la carte menu items include giant prawn Benedict with biscuits and mustard hollandaise, malted waffle with maple-pecan anglaise, and the fried egg sandwich with grilled bacon.

If this doesn't warm you up, nothing will. Bistro 110 launches its Family & Friends Night, with chicken pot pie dinners every Sunday and Monday. For $15 a person, you'll get the traditional Chicken Blanquette dinner and French-inspired dessert, the Gateau Breton. Large carafes of wine are $10.

BIN 36 returns with Movies in the Loft, this time featuring "North By Northwest." Event includes a wine-and-cheese reception and three-course dinner paired with vino. 6:30-9pm. $48.

JUST ADDED: The Liquid Soul Reunion/All Star Show happens tonight at Double Door. This should be a fun party with almost everyone getting Dr. Martin Luther King Day off on Monday. Jesse de la Pena spins between sets, just like the old days. Doors open at 8pm; show starts at 9. $10.

R.I.P. Blue Water Grill

The doors to Blue Water Grill didn't open today, and Crain's Chicago Business has the scoop:

"Blue Water Grill, an upscale River North seafood and steak restaurant, closed its doors Wednesday as part of a 'restructuring effort' by owner B.R. Guest LLC.

New York-based B.R. Guest decided not to extend its lease at 520 N. Dearborn St. after four years in the space. Blue Water Grill opened in River North in 2005, a year after Wolfgang Puck shuttered his Spago location following a seven-year run.

The B.R. Guest restaurant chain, known for Ruby Foo's in New York and Fiamma Trattoria in Las Vegas, is also scaling back operations in other cities."

OK, so today's shot . . .

. . . with the effing blizzard and all, so let's look to the future, why don't we:

Check out even more Obama inauguration events happening all over town right here. You won't find a more comprehensive guide to what's poppin' off, plus we've added the Chicago Young Republicans party (I know, right?!), Eno's Presidential Pairings and others.


And, in other news:

Word is that Lakeview Broadcasting Co. closes next week to re-concept as a Violet Hour-type tavern. They really need one up there!

The owners behind neighborhood faves Danny's and Black Beetle will debut Simone's Bar in Pilsen in early February. It'll be a similar venture.

And Branch 27 is on sked to open in West Town sometime in mid-February.

Common Threads' World Festival returns; opening date for Faith & Whiskey

Lisa Novick, TABLE fifty-two's Art Smith and a guest at last year's Common Threads' World Festival event at the MCA. (Photo: Common Threads)


It brought out all the culinary rock stars last year, and we're not expecting anything less when Common Threads' World Festival returns on March 23.

Founded by Art Smith (TABLE fifty-two), the organization raises funds for culinary programs for disadvantaged children. Just about every high-profile chef in town, as well as some famous national stars, whips up signature appetizers for this walk-around tasting event with live music, a host of celebrity appearances (including Gail Simmons of "Top Chef" fame), and silent and live auctions.

Just a partial list of chefs: Mindy Segal and Mark Steuer, Hot Chocolate; Giuseppe Tentori, BOKA; Chris Pandel, The Bristol; Koren Grieveson, Avec; Christophe David, NoMI; Radhika Desai, Between Boutique Café & Lounge; Rocco DiSpirito; Kendal Duque, Sepia; and Tyler Florence, Food Network.


On the nightlife front, the guys behind West Loop hot spot Bon V announce an opening date for their rockin' lounge Faith & Whiskey in Lincoln Park.

From partner Hunter Cannon: "The solid date for opening is Jan. 23. We will only be open Fridays and Saturdays until after the grand opening party which will be held on Feb. 12. The bar looks great and I'm sure you will love the staff. I can't wait to break it in."

A Smashing good time

Billy Corgan (left) hangin' with restaurateur Miae Liam and Lumen's Joachim Klatzkow on Saturday. (Photo: Lumen)


Look who was trying to be all low key over the weekend at Lumen.

Smashing Pumpkins' frontman Billy Corgan, with droopy hat pulled down to conceal his famous dome, made a rare club appearance with friends (including Miae Liam of Japonais) in the VIP section and drank only water, according to spies:

"He was trying to keep his presence concealed by keeping his hat on the entire night, but fans still recognized him. He was friendly with them, chatted with fans about his music and agreed to take photos."

What a nice guy that Billy is!

EXCLUSIVE: Sunda set to open Feb. 27

The Devil’s Basket with soft shell crab is one of Sunda's signature dishes. (Photo: Sunda)


312DD's first with the opening date for New Asian-focused Sunda. The late-night River North destination debuts Feb. 27.

Owned by the same team behind Underground and Rockit Bar & Grill, Sunda aims to be their most impressive project to date, as they've cut no corners in order to get it right.

Partners Billy Dec, Arturo Gomez and Brad Young traveled to several Asian countries and studied the traditional cuisines of Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. And they secured New Asian cuisine pioneer Rodelio Aglibot to run the kitchen. Dubbed the Food Buddha by media, Aglibot brings with him an extensive background in Asian cuisine and culture as well as serving as exec chef at several renowned Asian-focused kitchens on the West Coast.

The menu, from what we've seen thus far, is shaping up to be quite the temptation, with mouthwatering offerings such as The Food Buddha’s Crispy Rice with Toppings (hand-cut spicy tuna, seared Kobe beef tartare and spicy shrimp empura), Crab-Crusted Ahi Tuna with Japanese Hot Mustard Soy Glaze and Longevity Garlic Noodles with Blue Crab.

Why can't it be late February now?!