A HEARTY makeover

(Photo: The Hearty Boys)


Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith, of Hearty Boys and Food Network fame, are in the midst of turning their fashionable Lakeview catering facility into full-on eatery, HEARTY.

How did they make the official announcement?! Through Twitter, of course!

Some highlights:

"Here we go (you heard it here 1st). HEARTY RESTAURANT will open mid September in our Broadway space. Dinner 5 nites a week plus Sun brunch."

"HEARTY will be an upscale comfort food restaurant with Dan's take on classics ie Pork & Beans (Pork Belly, Giant Beans, Savory Sweet Sauce)."

"Also a weekly Campfire Fish market special. Fresh catch, herbed butter, market veggies wrapped in foil and cooked over hot coals."

"The bar will reflect our love of lost cocktails; Brown Derby, Montauk, Pegu Club & twists using American classic bevs like the Cel-Ray Mary."

New Line Bar takes over old Powerhouse space

(Photo: www.stevenjohnsonphotography.com)


There's a new bar in town, going into the massive space formerly known as Powerhouse Restaurant.

Daily Bar & Grill owner Steve Soble (who's also behind a couple of popular bowling alleys, including Lakeview's Southport Lanes) is transforming the spot into New Line Bar, "the name commonly used for a rail line built around 1900 between Chicago and Milwaukee designed to bypass the congested cities along Lake Michigan where the older line traveled," according to Crain's Chicago Business.

There are also plans for a restaurant at the location, but no word on the name or owner yet . . .

The final nail in the coffin?!

(Photo: www.stevenjohnsonphotography.com)


An Ultimate Insider delivered the news exclusively to 312DD that the troubled Grocery Bistro is dunzo:

"A little birdie told me Grocery Bistro is finished. Eviction notice served."

Yikes.

Let's Do The Time Warp . . . Again

Apparently, the original Yak-Zies is making a comeback, according to The Stew:

"The space has been undergoing renovation since November, when the 2 a.m. liquor license was approved (the 4 a.m. license didn’t go through until April). Regulars will be familiar with the layout, the free popcorn, the Tang chicken 'peeza' (chicken breast + hot sauce + parsley-studded pizza crust), and of course, their much-lauded wings.

"They plan on rolling out the relaunch with a series of get-togethers for old-timers: if you were a patron of Yak-Zies during the 1960s and '70s, come from 5 -8 p.m. Aug. 3. If you came during the '80s and '90s, Aug. 4, same time. And to everyone else, Aug. 5 is the day Yak-Zies carries on in the neighborhood, once again, as it had for all these years"

The bar reopens officially on Aug. 1.

Music 'n' munchies 'n' more . . .

Blue 13 hosts a rock 'n' roll dinner featuring the music of Kings of Leon.


So how about this weather, y'all?!

Looks like summer finally arrived, and if I were you, I'd take full advantage of it because there's no telling how long it'll stick around.

In the meantime, as always, deals abound around town, including a brand-new offering at contemporary Italian fave Follia, in the West Loop. They're offering an irresistible four-course, prix-fixe feast Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $28. You'll get an appetizer, soup or salad, pasta, entree and dessert.

And today's the third Tuesday of the month, which means that it's time for Tasting Room's best monthly event. This time they're mixing it up with guests' favorites, so you'll certainly be in for a treat. Walk-around tasting includes more than 30 varieties and light bites. 6-8pm. $30. Reservations required.

And here's what is on tap for manana:

Music enthusiasts should get a kick out of this one. Our fave rock 'n' roll restaurant, Blue 13, continues its series of music-inspired dinners. On tap for tonight is the music of Kings of Leon, featuring five distinct courses paired with the band's best beats. Chef Chris Curren hasn't released the menu yet, but we can tell you to expect to hear "Closer," "California Waiting" and "Sex on Fire." Dinner starts promptly at 7:15pm, and you must have a reservation. $50.

In honor of the Art Institute’s newly opened A Case for Wine: From King Tut to Today exhibition, The James toasts the exploration with A Case for Wine Too, a wine tasting in the swanky hotel's lobby bar. David Burke's Primehouse Executive Chef Rick Gresh whips up some creative apps to go along with 10 carefully selected wines (full glass pours are $7). 6-9pm. $15.

More drinks are on tap at the semi-weekly Sweet Sixteen of Mixology, going down at Perennial. The ongoing bartender competition this week features Stephen Cole from The Violet Hour and Maura Mcguigen from Graham Elliot. Celebrity guest judge is mixology maven Bridget Albert. Guests will indulge in comped apps and samples of each mixologist's cocktail. They'll also get to vote on the winner for the night. 6:30-8pm. Free.

And whether you're looking for a soulmate or summer fling, if you're swinging single, you should head to Harry Caray's Tavern for the Summer Soulmate Search party. NBC-5's Rob Elgas (who we hear is swingin' single himself!) hosts the speed-dating party, so things should get interesting. Those who wish to participate should register here. If you're not interested in dating, you'll still be highly entertained, plus you'll get $3.50 Goose Island drafts, $5 mojitos and $5 on glasses of Pinot Noir. 6-8pm.

Good 'ol fashioned American fare . . .

(Photo: David Lissner for Dining Chicago)


. . . is what you'll get at 33 Club, the new Old Town eatery with a vibrant, post-Prohibition vibe by colorful restaurateur Jerry Kleiner.

Our boy David "The Food Dude" Lissner of Dining Chicago gets the first on-air interview with Kleiner on the hot new space here.

Weekend Tweet Beat

Tim Graham, executive chef at Tru (Photo: Tim Graham)


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

Efrain Cuevas (chEfrain): "Cooking BBQ tonight for the Guinness beer folks tonight. Will I get paid in beer?"

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "Shpeeled out after describing the buffalo-ed wing 1,000 times... very cool evening for a good cause. now going to party at farmer lee's house."

Tim Graham (Tru): "Friday service going smooth. Selling alot of collections. New foie mousse, melon, Moscato d'Asti gelee, Pumpernickel is a hit."

Mark Mendez (Carnivale): “Swan Creek egg fried in extra virgin olive oil, Iberico Ham, black truffle.”

Michael Sheerin (Blackbird): “Cluster Fu&k of a night.”

This is what's HOT!

(Photo: 312 Dining Diva)


So now it's finished.

Rode by The Violet Hour again, and what a difference a few days makes!

The lucky graffiti artists who transformed the swanky cocktail lounge's exterior into a scene out of 1985's Krush Groove get props for their finished project.

But I would love to see the look on a first-timer's face once they got inside the bar that sets the bar high when it comes to luxe lounging.

See, you really cannot judge a book bar by its cover . . .