EXCLUSIVE: A First Look at Market!

(Photo: Darkroom Demons)


Kenny Williams—the GM for the Chicago White Sox—unleashes Market during prime time baseball season.

Scheduled to open the first week of May, the sleek, sports-minded spot settles in right next to Harpo Studios in the West Loop, though it would've been nice to see Williams and his partners set their sights on the Bridgeport area (home of the White Sox, which is starving for at least one swanky sports bar).

The multi-level Market boasts an indoor 4,500-square-foot bar and dining area with 20 flat screen televisions, 2,500-square-foot outdoor beer garden, 1,200-square-foot sidewalk cafe and a sprawling 4,000-square-foot rooftop lounge with a 360-degree unobstructed view of the city.



(Photo: Darkroom Demons)


They've also secured the talents of chef Joe Rosetti, who's worked the kitchens in Gioco and David Burke's Primehouse. His menu's stepping out with quirky twists on the classics: Popcorn Shrimp served in a traditional movie theater-style popcorn bucket; Mac n Cheese Muffins in a picnic basket; and the Fifty Yarder—shrimp and pork tenderloin skewers—served in the shape of a football goal post.

Hope this one's a home run!


Also:

If you cannot wait until May, look for this week's openings of West Town's newest gem Branch 27 (sneak peek Wednesday!) and Greek-focused Taxim (Thursday), in Wicker Park.

Props for future chefs

Radhika Desai, executive chef at Between, serves as one of the esteemed culinary judges for the annual Cooking for Scholarships competition. (Photo: Between Boutique & Cafe)


A number of culinary rock stars sit on the judges' panel for the annual Cooking for Scholarships competition for the Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).

Former Blu 47 chef David Blackmon is charged with the program for the Chicago Public Schools, where 19 high schools (more than 1,500 students) take part in culinary arts education. Nationally C-CAP operates in seven cities and has awarded more than $3.5 million in full/partial tuition scholarships for students to attend culinary, baking and hospitality management intuitions.

This year's event will be held April 18 at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago with chef judges Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse), Richard Camarota (Custom House), Mark Sparacino (Ristorante Prosecco), Phillip Foss (Lockwood), Mark Mendez (Carnivale), Radhika Desai (Between Café and Lounge), Seth Siegel-Gardner (C-House) and Carrie Nahabedian (NAHA) participating.

The spirit’s gonna git ya!

WhiskeyFest goes down April 1 at Hyatt Regency Chicago, but if the $95 ticket's a bit steep for you, we've uncovered some other deals around town:

Kicking off WhiskeyFest is The Great Whisk(e)y Debate, happening tonight at Five Star Bar. The unique, interactive seminar brings to light the differences and nuances between bourbon, Canadian Whisky and scotch whisk(e)y. Whisk(e)y “professors” (bourbon advocate, scotch malt master, Canadian Whisky ambassador) will educate participants, and of course you'll be treated to a tasting of all. Starts at 9pm. Free.

Both Lush locations (University Village, Roscoe Village) host parties celebrating WhiskeyFest tonight. Enjoy an extensive tasting of Old Pappy Van Winkle bourbons, then join the mayhem at Twisted Spoke for barrel-aged beer from Goose Island, plus Death's Door spirits and cocktail creations by Nacional 27's mega-mixologist Adam Seger. And return to Lush on Thursday for even more complimentary, whiskey-infused cocktails. That's 6-8pm.

At Boka tonight, members of the Illinois Chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild face off for one spot to represent our state at the National Cocktail Competition in San Francisco in May. Guests will be treated to canapes and cocktails created by Boka's Dan de Oliveira. 8-11pm. No cover.

Also happening tonight is a late-night scotch tasting (midnight-2am) by Chivas 18 at Delilah's. Arrive early for $2 High Life, $2 Canadian Club and a 7pm showing of legendary rock-opera "Tommy." No cover.

On Wednesday, Chivas 18 heads to Bull & Bear to deliver another comp tasting (6-7pm) during the monthly Divo Series. The party gives props to local guys in media, biz, charity and fashion. Sponsored by Thrillist. 6-9pm.

And Province Executive Chef Randy Zweiban and the restaurant's mixologists team up to pair Cielo tequila cocktails with cuisine. Guests will also learn about the history and craft of making this fine tequila. 5:30-7:30 Wednesday. $30.

Mirai makes Playboy's A List for sushi

It's been around for a while, but Wicker Park's Mirai is the only Chicago restaurant that made the cut in Playboy.com's A List for Best Sushi:

"Here's proof that not all good sushi spots have to be ultratraditional, zen-like shrines to raw fish. Mirai, located in trendy Wicker Park, is a modern sushi restaurant with a seductive, dark lounge upstairs and outdoor seating when the weather's nice. . . . Chef Jun Ichikawa, who trained at Hatsuhana, offers between three and five types of shrimp, salmon, oysters and caviars, as well as lesser-known bites of monkfish liver wrapped in octopus with chives and horse mackerel. And only half the menu is raw: The signature dish, shrimp togarashi, balances crunchy, spicy and smoky in a cooked edible shell."

Weekend Tweet Beat . . .

Chris Curren is the executive chef/owner for Blue 13 (Photo: Chris Curren)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Chris Curren (Blue 13): “Cooking for an old chef of mine from a long time ago tonight...and getting ready for Sunday Supper tomorrow I'm thinking veal scallopini, fettucini with lemon caper butter sauce, grilled veg, tiramisu ... classic rustic Italian.”

Rick Gresh (David Burke’s Primehouse): “Mmmmmmmmm, the 40 day dry aged burger. I'm thinking I need to age it some more, maybe 65 days!”

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): “Just leaving the farm after being part of my first pig slaughter....very eye opening experience!”

Ryan Poli (Perennial): “Just turned the lights back on in the kitchen at Perennial. Really cool cooking in the dim light for a hour!”

Spotted around town . . .

A few Ultimate Insiders spotted some celebs kicking it around town this week:

Singer Katy "I Kissed a Girl" Perry was seen Wednesday chowing down at new Asian delight Sunda while in town for a performance at House of Blues. She came, of course, with an entourage. Word is the sultry singing sensation also made her way to Debonair Social Club, where she caught up with members from Chicago-based band Kill Hannah.

And pop star Justin Timberlake, who was in town for an appearance on "Oprah," hit up Berry Chill on Thursday, and ordered a small original-flavored frozen yogurt with kiwi, blackberries and Cap'n Crunch. He also exclaimed, according to owner Michael Farah: "I hate Pinkberry, this is my new spot."

Later, in the evening Timberlake stopped into Bull & Bear, where he caused a bit of a stir . . .

U2, Pornographic Chili Dog . . . and more

Landmark hosts a free wine-tasting event tonight with music from U2 as soundtrack.


Right on the heels of a whirlwind night two weeks ago, U2 is back in town. Well, sort of.

Landmark hosts a wine-tasting event, creatively pairing the Irish superband's music with vino. Think bold Barolos with "Sunday Bloody Sunday." Appetizers provided as well. Limited seating, so RSVP asap. 6:30-8pm tonight. Free.


Another music-focused wine fete is Rock Band Wednesday, happening every week at Juicy Wine Co. They're serving up the signature Pornographic Chili Dog (beef brisket chili from Smoque and mounds of aged Wisconsin cheddar over a smoked hot link) that should pair well with $4 pints of Three Floyds and $5 glasses of wine. After chowing down, head to the upper level for Rock Band karaoke on XBOX. 6pm-midnight. No cover.

There's even more wine being poured at Quartino, as the trendy neighborhood favorite throws its end-of-the-month wine party. This time they're featuring Spanish wines, which will be poured with light appetizers. 7-9pm. $20.

Top mixologist John Kinder hosts a rare event in the city with this cocktail-and-cuisine pairing at Salud. The four-course dinner (think empanadas, pork tenderloin, spice cake) is complemented by hand-crafted cocktails made with Los Arango Tequila. There may be a couple of seats left, but reservations required; no walk-ins. 7:30pm Wednesday and Thursday. $40.

A good after-work set happens at Rebar for the weekly Champagne Table. This month they're pouring Moët & Chandon, which will be paired nicely with appetizers from the restaurant. Held in the VIP area, with a view of the Chicago River. 5:30-7pm. $20.

Loop workers can blow off steam with complimentary Chivas 18 Scotch at Miller's Pub. Look for the spirit's ambassador, who'll be pouring various cocktails. 5-6:30pm. Free.

And learn all about Templeton Rye Prohibition Era Whiskey, a small batch rye whiskey made in the tiny town of Templeton, Iowa. Guests at In Fine Spirits will be treated to an interactive seminar that includes tastings paired with light appetizers. 7-8:30pm. $25.

Deals for your $$$ . . .

N9NE Steakhouse's sashimi preparation, now available at the new Raw Bar. (Photo: N9NE)


When N9NE Steakhouse opened almost 10 years ago, the seats at its flashy, centerpiece caviar bar were the most coveted in the house.

But now the times have changed, and people have a completely different outlook when it comes to fine dining. They still want to do it, but they want it much more downscaled.

That's why it was a smart move on N9NE's part to recently transform the ostentatious caviar bar into the now understated Raw Bar. It hasn't lost its cache as the best seats in the house, as the area's still flashy as the see-and-be-scene section.

But now the focus is on the freshest preparations of seafood, where Executive Chef Michael Shrader personally oversees and interacts with guests as he shucks oysters and slices up sashimi. He'll even take special requests, serving up made-to-order items not listed on the menu.

Most items at the Raw Bar cost $3-$6, including oysters on the half shell (Kumomoto, Calif.; Malpec, Canada; Rappahanock, Va.), Ahi tuna, salmon and seabass sashimi, as well as shooters mixed with Bloody Mary mix, lemongrass, saki, ginger, hot chile, lime and cilantro. And for those wanting a little more, they'll whip up a creamy lobster salad ($16) or the octopus carpaccio for $13. The Raw Bar's only available on weekends.


Another good deal happening every day is the new Seven After Seven special at Petterino's, in the Loop.

Dine at the classic American eatery after 7pm for a three-course dinner for $19.95, plus a nice selection of wines by the glass for $7. Choices include classic tomato bisque, Yankee pot roast, classic beef Stroganoff, chicken pot pie and broiled salmon Wellington.

Valet parking is complimentary for those dining in after 7.