Feast on foie gras, festivals . . .

One year ago this week the Chicago City Council repealed the foie gras ban, so a number of local chefs are celebrating with specials on their menus today through June 16.

Chicago Chefs For Choice debuts the first-ever Foie Gras Fest, offering $10 signature foie gras dishes. Participating restaurants include Cafe Bernard, Cafe Matou, Carlos, Cyrano's Bistrot, David Burke's Primehouse and May Street Market.

At David Burke's Primehouse, Executive Chef Rick Gresh overachieves with way more foie gras dishes than everyone else, with 11 offerings! We especially dig the Chicago-Style "Foie Gras Dog," Mini Deep Dish Foie Gras Pizza, Beer Fried Foie, Lobster & Foie Gras Roll and Foie Gras Pierogies.

Duck delicacy not your deal?! No worries, there's so much more going down this weekend . . .


THURSDAY

Those thumbing their noses at the bar of the moment head to long-standing places like NAHA, which offers one of the coolest lounge scenes in town. We recommend settling in for appetizers and one of their hand-crafted cocktails from the spring menu. Our faves?! Spring Ahead (Don Julio Blanco, housemade apple-celery juice, fresh lemon juice, organic agave nectar, Kubler absinthe) and a local take on the Manhattan, the Chicago (Templeton Rye-infused with fresh vanilla, Barolo Chinato, house-made brandied cherries, blood orange bitters).

Starfruit opens its second location in Lincoln Park location today, however, we're surprised that for their "grand opening" celebration they're only giving away "free toppings" with every purchase of the frozen treats. That happens all day, plus live entertainment and a deejay.

FRIDAY

The Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's annual Red or White Ball is the group's biggest benefit of the year and you don't want to miss it (full disclosure: 312DD is a member). This year they're moving the event to eco-chic Salvage One (1840 W. Hubbard St.), so expect it to be decked out in artistic glory. Open bar, apps, silent auction, live entertainment all for a young, hip crowd. 8pm (VIP reception starts at 7pm). $135 (VIP $250).

Limited tickets are still available for the annual Gold Coast Film Fest, taking place at the Royal George Theatre (1641 N. Halsted St.). You'll see offbeat shorts by local artists, plus films by chef/owners Graham Elliot Bowles (graham elliot; currently starring on Bravo TV's Top Chef Masters) and Kevin Boehm (BOKA, Landmark, Perennial). Ticket includes two drink tickets to pre-event at Landmark and admission to film fest. Landmark's also offering attendees a three-course meal for $35. Starts at 6:30pm. $35 for tickets.

SATURDAY

Nab a seat early for the chef demo at Green City Market as Café des Architectes' Martial Noguier hits the stage at 10:30am. He'll be whipping up a spring arborio risotto prepared with produce from the market. Market opens at 7:30am. Free.

Wells Street Art Festival happens today and tomorrow (10am-10pm), so wear comfortable shoes and get ready to fight the crowds. Expect every restaurant and bar in the area to be jam packed, particularly the usual suspects. Maybe just maybe newcomer tapas spot Eivissa will have room at the inn for sangria and bites.

Same goes for Andersonville Midsommarfest, happening in the very food frenzied 'hood. Our absolute favorite places along the way?! M Henry for brunch, In Fine Spirits for classic cocktails and La Cocina de Frida for tall pitchers of sangria on the back patio. 11am-10pm Saturday, Sunday.

Another Saturday, another tasting. Pops for Champagne explores Grand Cru terroir of Verzenay, featuring three curvees from multiple formats. 3-5pm. $20.

Vision Cellars will be onsite at Park 52, offering diners and bar patrons tastings of its 2006 pinot noir and 2007 sauvignon blanc/pinot gris blend. These wines have even been served at the White House. 6-10pm

SUNDAY

We're excited about the new brunch cocktails at Feast Bucktown. The Moscato Mimosa and Bucktown Bloody Hell add flair to traditional mimosas and Bloody Marys, plus adult smoothies like Love Juice (made with Svedka Citron vodka, crushed strawberries and sparkling Champagne) will get your Sunday off to a great start.

MONDAY

And get the guys together and hang out on the patio at Motel Bar. They're showing screenings of True Romance and Fight Club, plus you'll get to choose from a number of hypermasculine cocktail specials. 8pm-2am. No cover.

Baffling chef shufflings . . .

District's semi-private VIP room. (Photo: The District)


Only after a couple of days after Crain's anointed District Bar with a glowing review ("Executive chef Matthew Moss' lunch starters play with sports-bar expectations by taking standards up a notch."), 312DD learns that the executive chef is outta there.

An Ultimate Insider tells us Moss abandoned ship only this week and owners have already replaced him with a new chef who's likely going to tweak the menu to his liking.

Also out this week is exec chef Andy Motto over at Old Town Brasserie, who replaced celebrated chef Roland Liccioni in December, according to the same Ultimate Insider.

They've immediately promoted one of the line chefs to the head position, but that makes three shufflings in six months and that cannot be good news . . .

UPDATE: A 312DD reader alerts: "The new Executive Chef @ District Bar is Charles Andersson. Before District, he most recently worked at Sage Grille in Highwood, and I know he was at Butter when they first opened."

Tempting tunes, tastes on a Tuesday

Neo-soul star Maxwell returns with his first album in eight years. (Photo: Sony Music)


Happening tonight is Cellar Notes at NoMi, with Master Sommelier Fernando Beteta (hailed as one of America's Best Sommeliers) showcasing the best of the best. This week it's all about sparkling wines and Champagnes. 6-7:30pm. $30.

Also going down tonight, Volo's doing a taste of the Southern Rhone with vineyard owner Sophie Autran. You'll get several hand-picked wines by the glass, by the flight ($15), The Southern Rhone Wine Experience (tasting of all seven wines for $28) with suggested food pairings a la carte, or a five-course tasting menu ($40). Arrive at 7pm for a complimentary glass of wine.

Over at Warehouse District hot spot Moto, pastry chef Ben Roche recently launched a nifty dessert tasting menu in the lounge. The four-course, seasonal menu changes often and offers items like a rum-rootbeer slushy coated with frozen vanilla cream, liquid-center corn sponge cake with blackberry "drupelets," and a hot and cold chocolate mousse with smoked ice cream. Offered daily.

Tomorrow and beyond . . .

Since the so-called Media & VIP Taste of Chicago Preview gets rammed by party crashers every year, someone finally got a clue and opened it to the public. For the first time ever Wednesday, the city's officially opening it to the public to get a mini taste of six restaurants that'll be featured in the foodie feast happening June 26-July 5. Among the dishes to be expected tomorrow include gator sausage on a stick, Spanish-style steak, Indian samosas and barbecued beef brisket sandwiches. 11am-2pm. Items $2-$5; cash only. Daley Plaza.

It's a girlfight over at Perennial as the Sweet 16 of Mixology series continues Wednesday. Brice McCoy (Province) competes against Jennifer Contraveos (The Crafted Cocktail). Guests get to sample and vote for the best cocktail; celebrity judge for this round is Graham Elliot Bowles of graham elliot. 6:30-8pm. Free.

David Burke’s Primehouse holds its first-ever beer-focused dinner, also on Wednesday. Executive Chef Rick Gresh whips up a four-course feast paired with New Belgium Brewing Co. beer. Event also includes a reception in The James lobby bar. Starts at 6pm. $75.

If the weather will finally effing warm up, we can enjoy the summer's best roses in all their glory. In the meantime, head to Webster's Wine Bar for Roses from Around the World, also on Wednesday. They'll sample classic, lean Southern French roses as well as fuller styles from the rest of Europe and the new world. 7:30pm. $30; reservations required.

And reserve your tickets now to The Music Experience with Maxwell, happening at the DuSable Museum (740 E. 56th Pl.). The Neo-sou star returns with BLACKsummers' night—his first album in eight years and you can be one of the first people in the world to hear it first. Yes, he'll be there, but he won't be performing. Instead, he'll grace his fans with interviews and autographs. 7-9:30pm June 18. $20.

Weekend Tweet Beat

John des Rosiers of Inovasi. (Photo: Inovasi)


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

Grant Achatz (Alinea): "Can texture effect flavor perception? Dessert-y texture? (creamy?) Savory texture? Crunchy? I am not sure, but I think it makes sense."

John des Rosiers (Inovasi): "New experiment of wet/dry/salt block aging of Tallgrass NY (strip) came out perfect. Best of both techniques! Juicy, moist and rich!"

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Blown away last night by Schwa. Does any chef march to the beat of his own drum like Michael Carlson? It's like you're eating in his home."

Troy Graves (Eve): "Got a goat in late last night from George, and Andy Mize just arrived with a cow. That's a whole ton of butchering!"

Mike Sheerin (Blackbird): "Hand-rolled corn dogs with cornichon emulsion tonights amuse...booyah."

Giuseppe Tentori (Boka): "Making home made bigoli pasta with lobster and spinach basil pesto."

Where would 'Housewives' hang in Chicago?!

Can an upcoming Chicago version of Bravo TV's blockbuster measure up to the glamorous "Real Housewives of New York?!" (Photo: Bravo TV)


Everyone's getting excited about the possibility of a Real Housewives of Chicago happening here, and one socialite claims she's already been contacted by the independent production company looking to produce their own version of the hit reality television series.

If it does actually go down, 312DD's more excited about where they're going to do all the usual drinking and dining they seem to indulge in on the shows.

Since they'd likely go with more established, jetsetting types for the show, we'd figure ground zero would be somewhere in the downtown area. River North, Streeterville, West Loop and definitely Gold Coast, but don't be surprised if they'd throw in a few places in Bucktown and Lakeview for the "hip factor."

Since this show's about powerful women doing powerful things, they'd have to make a stop at NAHA, the sophisticated contemporary American spot owned by award-winning chef Carrie Nahabedian.

Pops for Champagne, with its extensive list of bubbly and sparkling wines, is certain to be another draw for this cast of cultured characters.

When these ladies go on the prowl, expect them to hang out at the usual Gold Coast suspects (Tavern on Rush, Gibsons, Whiskey Bar), but also the latest hot spots as well.

We see them settling into one of the plushy booths at Roof, the city's newest rooftop bar on the 27th floor of theWit hotel. Or even Market, the upscale West Loop sports bar co-owned by White Sox GM Kenny Williams.

And just to make it look as though they're in touch with what's really hot in the city, they'll have to do at least one episode in the Bucktown/Wicker Park area. We'd put big bucks on them hitting The Violet Hour and The Bristol.

What other spots do you think they'll end up in around town?!

Michael Carlson's first TV interview!

Marcus Riley of NBC-Chicago's entertainment showcase 24/7 snags an interview with the elusive Schwa chef/owner Michael Carlson on why it's so damn hard to get a reservation.

Peep the video here, with a cameo by 312 Dining Diva, who scored her first reservation here after a year-long wait.

Booze, Brunch and The Bombshell

After Josephine Baker and long before J.Lo, there was Iris Chacon—an exotic beauty known for her provocative performances, flamboyant style and curvaceous figure.

The Puerto Rican provocateur's the subject of the MCA's latest UBS 12 x 12: New Artists/New Work exhibition you can check out at this month's First Fridays after-work event. Created by Chicago artist Edra Soto, The Chacon-Soto Show explores her impact on U.S. feminist issues. It's on display through June 28.

Your First Fridays ticket include museum admission, live entertainment, complimentary Wolfgang Puck hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. 6-10pm. $16 ($8 for MCA members). 220 E. Chicago Ave.

Other exciting events you don't want to miss:

THURSDAY

Everyone's talking about the new Whole Foods store in Lincoln Park, so if you haven't been, there's still room for the Chef's Table Supper Club tonight. The series occurs every other Thursday with a three-course meal and a glass of wine. The chef's selection is created with the freshest, seasonal ingredients the store has available. Registration required. 6:30pm. $42/person; $75/couple. 1550 N. Kingsbury St., 312-587-0648.

For something less formal, but just as tasty, grab a seat at one sixtyblue's bar for Burgers, Beer and Beats. Every Thursday, the West Loop eatery offers a rotating lineup of $4 craft brews paired with juicy $4 burgers. 6-10pm.

First Thursday Tastings happens at Fion Wine Bar with Unibroue beers (Ephremere, La Fin Du Monde, Maudite, Don De Dieu, Chambly Noire) and gourmet cheese pairings. 7-9pm. Free.

Grab dinner at North Center faves Brownstone or sola, then indulge in the third-annual Bubbles & Berries happening at the nearby Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro. Champagne, sparkling wine and moscatos will be paired with seasonal berries and a chocolate fountain. 7-9pm. $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

At The Bar returns to The Drawing Room, with executive chef Nick Lacasse and chief mixologist Charles Joly whipping up a fabulous three-course meal paired with market-fresh cocktails for only eight lucky diners. 6:30pm. $45 (reservations required).

You might have better luck getting in Chiquiteo: A Tapas Tour, a dining crawl happening at Lincoln Square's hottest spots. On-site registration starts at 6pm at Fiddlehead Cafe, then you can make your way to the other participants (Provenance Food and Wine, The Book Cellar, Café Selmarie, Bistro Campagne) for tapas and Spanish wine. 6:30-9:30pm. $35. Reservation required.

FRIDAY

The Museum of Science and Industry launches its first-ever Smart Home farmers market with a special cooking presentation at 11:30am by chefs Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh (HBTV) of The Hearty Boys fame. They'll be cooking up a delicious brunch-time dish of Orange Blossom pancakes with mascarpone and fresh berries. For the kick off, guests will also enjoy music, food vendors and treats cooked in a solar oven. The farmers market happens on the first and third Fridays of the month through Oct. 16. 7am-2pm.

If you're over the usual hip-hop and pop in the clubs, make your way to Sonotheque for Free Da Funk, a night of amazing throwback tracks. Deejay Joe Bryl will be digging in his crates for the best in soul, funk, R&B and disco accompanied by rare Blaxplotation films. 9pm-2am. No cover. $5 drink specials.

SATURDAY

If you ever wanted to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, this may be your chance: The World’s Biggest Bar Crawl happens in Lincoln Park and it's looking to beat NYC's record of 3,163 crawlers in March. Oh, we can easily beat that! Just show up and make it out to at least eight of the bars on the crawl, including Soiree, Glascott's, Toasted Ox and Grand Central. Participants get drink and food specials at each location, plus a portion of the proceeds benefits Children's Heart Foundation. $15.

If you're looking for a laid-back afternoon diversion, head to Lockwood inside the Palmer House Hilton. They're hosting a free wine-tasting event, and all those sampled will be available by the bottle at a reduced price for the evening. 3-5pm. Free.

SUNDAY

You know how they say don't go grocery shopping if you're hungry?! Grab brunch first at the South Loop Whole Foods Market, then go get your goodies. Choose from a rotating menu of French toast, veggie-friendly dishes, eggs and pancakes for $5, plus you can order a Mimosa for an extra $5. Noon-2pm. 1101 S. Canal St.

Fashion-forward folks looking for next season's styles should head to Bar DeVille to check out Chicago-based clothing line Imaginary People. You'll get to check out the entire line—in all sizes—and if they don't have an item or color, you can also order. Free booze always makes shopping fun! Noon-6pm.

MONDAY

And, Monday-night obsession Rehab moves from Evil Olive to Debonair Social Club. Expect good energy level at this industry-dominated party that includes free drinks (9-10pm), drink specials and guest deejays. 9pm-2am. Free.

She Wang Dang Doodled into our Hearts!

NBC Chicago's footage of a recent interview and performance with legendary blues queen Koko Taylor, who passed away today . . .