'Secret' suppers take off in Chi-Town

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef/owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in early 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


You'd think during these challenging economic times chefs would be jumping through hoops to get your business. But for a select few revolutionary culinary stars, that's just the opposite.

Through an ongoing series of what have come to be known as the underground dinners, chef Efrain Cuevas of Clandestino cranks out inventive feasts in different, offbeat locations each time. They've done everything from a New Orleans-themed extravaganza to dinners in obscure venues on the South Side. To get in the mix, all you have to do is sign up for the newsletter, pay for your reservation and wait for the location to be disclosed a couple of days before the event. Prices vary.

David Burke's Primehouse Executive Chef Rick Gresh hosts a Wednesday Al Greshco event through the Green City Market season. The chef heads to the market with his team to pick out the best seasonal ingredients for a four-course dinner that'll be a total surprise for diners. Each week it changes, but the only way to get a reservation is by contacting Gresh via Facebook or Twitter. $55 per guest; $80 with Gresh’s specialty cocktail and wine pairings.

Expect there to be strong interest also in The Wandering Goat Dinner Series—the concept of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard (also partner/chef for The Drunken Goat). Through November, the little powerhouse will host dinners ranging from backyard BBQs to warehouse parties in secret locations. The kickoff event on July 26 happens to be that BBQ, featuring the meats of Allen Bros. and microbrews of Three Floyds. The final event will include vino from her very own label, Drunken Goat Wine. The only way to RSVP is through her website. All events are $50 and include food and drinks.

And the monthly party known as At The Bar at The Drawing Room is the collaboration between Executive Chef Nick Lacasse and chief mixologist Charles Joly. An inventive, three-course meal is paired with hand-crafted, signature cocktails. While the events aren't exactly "secret," there's only eight seats available, which sell out as soon as it is announced. The next At The Bar happens at 6:30pm July 16, so get on it! $45.

Something New: Cibo Matto, Socca's summer menu

A special mid-summer tasting takes place at Socca tonight. (Photo: Socca)


Cibo Matto, theWit's glamorous Italian eatery, opens today on the hotel's second level. MenuPages catches up with executive chef Todd Stein (who's also at the helm of Roof), who discusses opening-day jitters, favorite menu items and more.

If Cibo Matto's scene a bit much for you on its first day, head to Lakeview as Socca debuts a new mid-summer menu. Exec chef Roger Herring whips up a number of tasting dishes to your delight in the bar area only. That's 5-7pm and free.

Considered somewhat of a brewing "rock star," Tomme Arthur from Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey stops by Bluebird for a special tasting of his beers. You'll sample up to seven, paired with flatbreads and cheese. 7:30-9:30pm. $25.

Wine lovers will indulge in a Mystery Wine Tasting at BOKA. The free event includes four stations pouring a mystery wine out of a decanter for sampling. Attendees will get a ballot and guess what each varietal is. The person who gets the most correct wins a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant. Comped appetizers included. 6:30-8pm.

The first Tuesday of the month means it's Rock Karaoke Night at Debonair Social Club. Get your liquid courage from the $3 well drinks, $3 Absolut Flavor shots and $3 PBR bottles before you make your way onstage. 9pm-2am.

And on Wednesday . . .

Jimmy Sneed of Sugartoad headlines the chef demo at Green City Market. That kicks off promptly at 10:30am, and as usual, the market opens at 7am. Free.

For those who prefer to do their shopping after work, Andersonville Farmers Market occurs 4-8pm every Wednesday. More than 20 vendors, plus live music and socializing should attract a number of neighborhood hot shots. Free.

Got job stress?! Take it out on the Wii on Wednesdays on Jbar's huge 84-inch flat screen television. They're also doing $3 beers, $6 vodka drinks and $2 mini "Burkers." 6-9pm.

Come root for the participants in the first-ever 42RIDE Bike Series at Moonshine. The event benefits Alliance of Biking and Walking, and if more than 100,000 follow the ride on Twitter, 42BELOW will make a $42K donation to the Alliance (pledging 42 cents per person). Riders, including a 73-year-old Texan who bikes 8,000 miles a year and a French sculptor living in Maine, arrive in Chicago Wednesday for the party that includes comped Caipiroska 42 cocktails. 6-8pm.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Koren Grieveson, chef de cuisine at avec. (Photo: Jessica Tampas Photography)


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

Grant Achatz (Alinea): "What do you do when a couple shows up for their reso a week early and you are booked? Pull table #86 out of storage and make it happen."

Rick Gresh (David Burke's Primehouse): "After a long day of working around in the yard, dinner is grilled garden zucchini, burger w/ blue cheese, grilled bacon, devils spit mayo!"

Koren Grieveson (avec): The ox roast at the Frog Pond in Union City, Penn., is so amazing. The bar is actually a boat!"

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "In the middle of the worst brunch ever. Not going to say where, but avoid parsnip 'latkes.'"

Todd Stein (Cibo Matto): "After one week of Cibo I have to play Roof tonight. At least there are fireworks."

Special delivery for Ne-Yo!

R&B superstar Ne-Yo at a recent party at Lumen. (Photo: Lumen)


Celebrities have all the luck.

This time it's R&B super star Ne-Yo, who's in town for a performance at Taste of Chicago.

Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique owner Teresa Ging tells 312DD exclusively that her South Loop shop delivered four of her luscious Red Velvet cupcakes to the musician's room at Sax Hotel Tuesday night.

But this is nothing new for her. Ging says she's had a special relationship with the hotel for about two years, and that she's always delivered cupcakes to their VIP guests, including the likes of Kanye West, Spice Girls and Ellen DeGeneres.

Everyone seems to especially love the Red Velvet cupcakes ($3.50 for regular size; $1.50 for minis), but other popular pastries include the Chocolate Milk Chocolate and Black & White cupcakes.

Go Beats, Go BBQ, Go Bang!

What's more American than rock 'n' roll, 40oz-es, fireworks and the Fourth of July?!

Not much, so if you're sticking around town this weekend, 312DD's got you covered if you plan on heading out and about:

WEDNESDAY

Blue 13 debuts a series of rock-focused, five-course feasts tonight and every Wednesday through August 27. Executive Chef Chris Curren's serving up his favorite tunes accompanied by signature dishes. Tonight's all about Weezer, and the dinner begins promptly at 7:15pm. You'll get his Steak and Egg on Acid to the soundtrack of We Are All On Drugs. Now those are beats we can eat to. $50.

Speaking of wacky dinners, how 'bout a match with malt liquor?! As part of its National 40oz Week, The Fifty/50's doing 4 Courses To Freedom 40oz Dinner, a tasting menu of stuffed mushrooms, cheese fries, fried chicken and Baby Back ribs paired with different pours selected by a sommelier (who is it, Snoop Dogg?!). Don't forget to pour out a little to our famous dead homey, Michael Jackson. Starts at 7pm. $25.

Speaking of MJ, Ne-Yo's in town for an after-party at The Shrine, following his show at Taste of Chicago. The likely heir to The King of Pop's throne may pick up a mic, but we're hearing that he'll definitely be hangin' in VIP. 8pm-2am. Cover varies.

Start you BBQ eating a few days early at Just Grapes's annual grill out party with steaks, seafood and hot dogs paired with summer wines. 5:30-7:30pm. $25.



Ne-Yo performs at Taste of Chicago Wednesday, then heads to South Loop hot spot Shrine for the after-party.


THURSDAY

Grammy Award-winning producer/arranger and world-famous deejay Frankie Knuckles returns for his infamous holiday party. Happening indoors and outdoors at Green Dolphin Street, this is the party not to miss. Get there early to mark your spot on the dance floor. 10pm-4am. $10 before midnight; $20 after.

Get ready for an all-out 1980s-themed benefit bash (can you say non-stop MJ?!) at The Silver Room (1442 N. Milwaukee Ave.). Deejays Ruin and Spin perform, chef Radika Desai (Top Chef) whips up signature dishes, and you get to BYOB. All donations for the night benefit Randomly Selected, a non-profit community organization. 7pm-midnight.

It's a three-day blowout at HUB 51/SUB 51, with deejays spinning upstairs and downstairs tonight through Saturday. They'll also have a number of drink specials and BBQ Baby Back ribs all weekend. 9pm-2am Thursday, Friday; open until 3am Saturday. $10 cover Thursday benefits Children's Memorial Hospital.

FRIDAY

Enjoy this Latin spin to Independence Day at Nacional 27. Get there early for the comped tapas tasting (3:30-5pm), then stay for BBQ, Beertails and exotic beats. Also, the Latin BBQ menu is $27 (two person minimum) with three courses, including Gaucho BBQ grilled 30-inch skewers. Deejays will spin for the Friday night Miami Nights party. 3:30pm-2am.

OMG. This sounds good to me: Fried Chicken & Bubbles at Lush Wine and Spirits on Halsted. It's $75, so that buttermilk fried chicken better be damn good! 6-9pm.

SATURDAY

Thirsty?! Head over to Schoolyard, Kirkwood or WestEnd for a number of "fishbowl" drinks served in 1.25 gallon glasses. Our faves? Puff the Magic Dragon (Dragonberry-flavored rum and Hawaiian Punch) and The Shooter McGavin (sweet tea vodka and lemonade). $15 each.

Green Dolphin Street continues to be one of the city's biggest party spots this weekend as Sippin on Saturday returns for its holiday edition. The late-night party includes deejay performances by Mark Fullaflava and Joe Kollage. 10pm-5am. $10 before 11:30pm.

SUNDAY

And it's gonna be an amazing day Sunday, so why not hang out on the river at the Bossa Nova Brunchat Flatwater? A live band performs; the eats are classic American. Interesting, but you're going for the view, right?! 9am-3pm.

NY Times tours local beer hot spots

If you're a self-described "beer geek," man, do I have a story for you!

In a New York Times travel piece, local writer Ari Benderski drinks his way through Chicago's new wave of microbrews.

From standbys Hopleaf and Maproom to the hot new shiny things (State and Lake, Bar DeVille), you'll learn all you need to know whether you're a visitor or local.

John Manion on sweet street eats

New to the menu at Goose Island Clybourn is chef John Manion's fancified version of elote, the mayo-slathered, spiced corn-on-the-cob street food popular in Mexican neighborhoods.

About a decade ago, Ashland Avenue in Wicker Park was nicknamed "corn cob alley." Street vendors smeared mayo, chile, lime juice and cheese on the cob and sell to hungry passers-by—including John Manion. Now he's serving his own elote as a bound corn-mayo salad, mixed with shredded cheese, chile and lime and served alongside chile-marinated grilled quail.

Introducing Park 52's hot new exec chef!

New Park 52 Executive Chef Renee Everett (Photo: Park 52)


Hyde Park native Renee Everett takes over the helm in Park52's kitchen as its third executive chef since opening in spring 2008.

Everett began her culinary career for the Gibsons Restaurant Group (Gibsons Steakhouse, Hugo's Frog Bar, Luxbar, Quartino) and later served as sous chef at Mike Ditka's Restaurant, where she developed a fond appreciation for fish and seafood.

Everett graduated from Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago and received the Charlie Trotter Scholarship by the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. She was also formerly the press secretary for the Illinois Senate President's Chicago Office.