EXCLUSIVE: More on the return of Melvin B's!

(Photo: Melvin B's)

Soooooo, here's the dealio with the return of Melvin B's as exclusively reported Wednesday on 312DD :

Apparently, the team behind Manor and RiNo secured the landmark Gold Coast space at 1114 N. State St. and will change the name to Cedar Hotel when it opens in a few weeks.

And they've brought on the boys from The Fifty/50 to upgrade that menu with more upscale bar bites. Thank god because even though Melvin B's and its neighbor, Cactus, were the hot outdoor spots in the summer, the food was pretty bad.

So there you have it, but details are still trickling in . . .

Here's to Mom!

It's going to be a loooong Sunday if you're spending time with your family for Mother's Day, so make the best of the rest of the weekend if you can:

THURSDAY

Hey, guys, this one's for you. Whether you're shopping for a last-minute gift for your mom or baby momma, you might want to check out the annual Beers & Babes event at Kickin' (2142 W. Roscoe St.), the hip maternity, workout apparel and baby boutique. The Village Tap hosts a beer tasting paired with gourmet sausage and cheese. And with every purchase of $100 or more, you'll get a $20 gift certificate to Village Tap. 6-9:30pm.

Colorful restaurateur Jerry Kleiner's a generous cat, and this KDK Crawl featuring four of his many restaurants proves why his spots continue to shine. You'll get to travel by trolley to Marché, Opera, Gioco and Red Light and sample signature bites and cocktails. Call Marché for the required reservation. 6:30-9:30pm. $50.

Custom House and 312 Chicago both just launched $10 bar menus you don't want to miss. Get to 312 Chicago right after work for light Italian fare, or head to Printer's Row for Custom House's casual cuisine of oysters, pork cracklings and crostinis.

So glad these girls are back! DJ Numinous Radio (aka Chaka T) cellist Alison Chesley and violinist Inger Carle have been blending their hypnotic mix of down tempo, trip hop, acid jazz and chill out with original, live string arrangements since 2000. And now they're bringing their show to Juicy Wine Co. Sip wine and eat stinky cheese as you check them out. 7pm-2am. No cover.

Expect even more funky grooves as Braziliance returns to Sonotheque for its monthly residence. The Brazilian-focused bash includes music by DJ Joe Bryl, exotic cocktails like the Ipanema and a special Brazilian menu next door at Flo. Those who dine first at Flo get comped entrance. $5. 9pm-2am.

Samantha Ronson's in town for a two-day stint. Tonight she's doing a live acoustic set at Angels & Kings that has absolutely nothing to do with Lindsay Lohan. 9pm-2am. No cover.

FRIDAY

Ronson returns to her regular gig at Crimson, where she'll spin her usual pop music set, attracting a bottle-service loving crowd. 9pm-2am. Guests who arrive before 11pm avoid the cover charge (which they never seem to tell us!).

SATURDAY

Genuine Entertainment's still killing it over at Lumen on Saturdays with resident DJ Jem and one of the most fabulous crowds in the city. And if you get there between 9-10pm, the cocktails are on them. Party happens until 3am. Cover varies.

SUNDAY

Of course, it's Mother's Day, but it's also the launch of No Menu Sundays! at Bonsoirée. Chef/owner Shin Thompson's whipping up whatever fresh ingredients he discovers at Green City and Logan Square Farmers markets. Reservations recommended. 5pm-9pm. Four courses $45; seven courses $75. BYOB.

MONDAY

And Monday Mix happens at In Fine Spirits in Andersonville with a tasting of the new Copper Fox Rye Whisky. $15 gets you three whiskey cocktails paired with appetizers. 8-11pm.

EXCLUSIVE: Melvin B's coming back?!

(Photo: Melvin B's)


Could this be true?!

Just in time for summertime shenanigans, word is that Melvin B's—the Gold Coast's most notorious outdoor bar—is back!

An Ultimate Insider tells 312DD that it's resurfacing in its old home at 1114 N. State St., and will be reopening in about three weeks.

Former owner Donnie Kruse (who also owns Stanley's), says he's not behind this second incarnation, so we're on the case to find out who's in charge.

This is sooo developing!

If She Had It Her Way on Mom's Day

Michelle Garcia (left) of Bleeding Heart Bakery and her mom, Sharon (Photo: Bill Lambert/Erickson Design)


They're truly the queens of their kitchens, so they almost never get a day off to relax.

312DD managed to catch up with some of Chicago's busiest chefs—who just happen to be moms—to find out their idea of the perfect Mother's Day:

Malika Ameen, executive pastry chef and co-owner of the exotically sexy Aigre Doux, manages to run a tight ship in the kitchen with her husband Mohammad Islam even though they have three sons under age seven. A blissful Mom's Day for her would be huevos rancheros served to her in bed by her family. And no housework.

Favorite Menu Item at Aigre Doux: Black Truffle Pizza with a wood-fired crust.


Tru's Gale Gand, the tireless pastry chef, author, TV personality and restaurateur, is also the mom-in-chief of three children (two girls and one boy). Her special fantasy day would consist of homemade cards from her kids, just-picked Daffodils from her garden, foot rub from her husband and movies. Of course, there'd be breakfast in bed, seeing as the award-winning artist just released Gale Gand's Brunch!: 100 Fantastic Recipes for the Weekend's Best Meal (Crown Publishing Group; 2009). She'd want her family to whip up her recipe for Blanched Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Shaved Parmesan paired with fresh-squeezed OJ (with strawberry puree, passion fruit juice, and a shot of Cava).

Favorite Menu Item at Tru: King crab, white asparagus, pineapple, and tarragon appetizer; also the gianduja cremeux with concord grape sorbet, basil and manchego cheese dessert.



Author, TV star, pastry chef and restaurateur Gale Gand.


Punk rock mom and pastry chef Michelle Garcia has two children and two popular, organic-focused North Side bakeries, Bleeding Heart and Smash Cake. And if she managed to get a day off for Mother's Day, she'd want to be lavished with gifts from Lush (the cosmetics store with handmade organic products, not the spirits shop!). Also, for her son not to hit her in the head with his Star Wars' lightsaber.

Favorite Menu Item at Bleeding Heart: The infamous tattoo cakes that put her store on the map. Get the organic goodies in whatever flavor you like with the Mom heart tat surrounded by flowers.


Sarah Stegner may have more prestigious awards than children (one daughter, one Robert Mondavi Culinary Award Of Excellence, two James Beard Foundation awards), but she takes her role as mom to heart. As co-owner and co-executive chef at Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook, she always works on Mother's Day, but if she had the chance to get away she'd spend every precious moment with her daughter.

Favorite Menu Item at Prairie Grass Café: She keeps it simple with spaghetti and roasted chicken.


For an extensive list of Mother's Day events, go here and for freebies, check this out.

May is National BBQ Month . . .

David Burke (left) and Marcus Samuelsson (Photo: XA, The Experiential Agency)


. . . so you can either fire up that grill and try your luck at getting it right this year, or allow two of the nation's most recognized chefs to show you how it's really done.

Meat master David Burke (Primehouse) and seafood specialist Marcus Samuelsson (C-House) join forces to host a grilling demo and tasting at the Affinia hotel's C-View rooftop lounge.

But that's not all. The first-ever Land & Sea BBQ Bootcamp also includes a cocktail reception and information Q&A with the chefs. They'll be whipping up BBQ short rib tacos, grilled oysters and more, plus guests will leave knowing exactly how they did it. A gift bag will include the day's recipes.

Event happens 1-3pm May 16; call C-House for the $75 tickets. It's happening the same weekend as the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, so this thing will sell out!

Chuck Bass in Chicago . . .

"Gossip Girl" star Ed Westwick will be in Chicago Wednesday.


Attention: Gossip Girl fans.

Just got word Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick (a.k.a. Chuck Bass) of Gossip Girl notoriety will make a special appearance at Wednesday's launch party for Target's Bullseye Bazaar.

Hosted by Rockit Bar & Grill, this VIP party takes place at 445 N. Michigan Ave., and includes hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a chance to be first to shop this exclusive "pop-up" store.

To get in, just RSVP at vip@rockitranch.com. 7-10pm.

We'll take the 5th . . . sip . . .

So many, many choices today as you go out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo:

If you're looking to do something good in the 'hood, Cinco Del Soul's happening at Society for Arts (1112 N. Milwaukee Ave.), benefiting Youth Technology Corps. Event includes authentic Mexican food by Jordan's Food of Distinction, an open bar of margaritas and music by Jesse de la Pena. 6:30-10:30pm. $40 in advance; $50 at door. Get tix here.

Test your wine knowledge at BOKA's new monthly Guess the Mystery Wines party for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to dine at the hot Lincoln Park eatery. Four stations will be set up to pour a mystery win out of a decanter for sampling, and if you get the most answers right, you win! It's that simple. 6:30-8pm. Free with appetizers.

North Center's Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro is doing its monthly Beer of the Month Passport Series, with ales from Indiana-based Three Floyds. For $10, you get snacks and samples. 7-9pm.

Mexican-owned Ceja Winery makes a stop at Just Grapes for a free tasting you can check out right after work if you're in the Loop. 6-7:30pm.

Indoors and outdoors at The Fifty/50 gets busy at 4pm with tequila and margarita specials, plus bar personality "Shorty" wanders the bar rocking a sombrero filled with gratis chips and salsa. If you're still standing at 9pm, a seven-piece mariachi band plays all the classic songs you remember from your last trip to Cancun. Also, bring in your ticket stub from the Blackhawks playoff game and get 20 percent off your entire bill. No cover.

You know the scene will be hot over at Nacional 27, known for its lively music, munchies and hand-crafted margaritas. For $27, you get passed tapas and cocktails, plus DJ George Perez spins Latin grooves. That's from 6-9pm, then the dance party continues until 1am.

And they'll also be kickin' it late night at Fuel Kitchen & Cocktail Lounge, where Miles Maeda hits town to spin a very special set. Early arrival highly recommended as this event is free. 9pm-2am.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Tim Graham, executive chef at Tru.


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

Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill): "Flight to NY for Beard Awards/editor mtgs for new book. Dreaming of yesterday's breakfast: Fage Greek yogurt, ripe/orange strawberry, milk & honey granola."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Spending the day off with great friend Frank Brunacci (Sixteen) and our families.... beer, burgers, beer, kids, beer, and sunshine!"

Tim Graham (Tru): "Saturday service going smooth, layering on gougeres filled with caviar cream. Spring lamb coming next week."

Rick Gresh (Primehouse): "Spent the morning working on webpage & blog page, should be up and running soon. off to work, & then Art Chicago & C-View kickoff party."

Paul Kahan (Blackbird): "Looking forward to hiding out in New York this weekend."

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): "Thinking of doing something with deviled eggs, organic deviled egg with Iberico ham?"

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): "Got crushed by tsunami of people, 700 resos, 450 in private dining, much pain."