FREEBIE FRIDAY: Mini-Keg, mini-burgers for 4!

Small Bar's "mini" keg. (Photo: Small Bar)


This week's FREEBIE FRIDAY takes place at Small Bar, the neighborhood micro-brew sports lounge with locations in Ukrainian Village and Logan Square.

One person will get a chance to experience their great new table service mini-keg paired with 12 specialty mini burgers. Bring three friends and it's an all-out party.

Winner will be announced after noon Friday!

Toast on the town . . . for charity

One night. 20 bars. Lots and lots of booze.

It's that time of year again for Bar AIDS, the sixth-annual event when a number of establishments all over town donate a portion of the evening's profits to AIDSCare.

The leading organization does everything it can to improve the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, so props go to the likes of Chaise Lounge, Fat Cat, The Village Tap and Zocalo for lending a hand.

Bar AIDS takes place tonight all over town. Get the entire list of participating bars here. No cover, but some spots may offer drink specials.

It's raining like hell, but you won't let that stop your weekend . . .

THURSDAY

You love pork as much as you love beer, so there's no excuse to miss the pig roast going down at Landmark. They're doing it up with savory pork sliders paired with beer from Three Floyds, so it's guaranteed to be a squeal. Deejay J. Rose spins. 9pm-2am. $30.

The cool, kick-off bash for the annual Bucktown Arts Fest
happens tonight at The Bristol, giving you a chance to meet participating artists. Expect the offbeat eatery to lay out delicious bites, plus two beverages are included in the ticket price. 6-10pm. $30 in advance; $40 at door.



Kit Kat and Purgatory host tribute parties for what would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday.


FRIDAY

Still relishing in summer hours?! Grab a late lunch at Publican, in the West Loop, where the celebrated pub offers a nice menu of casual grub like a lamb pastrami sandwich, spicy pork rinds, frites with George's organic egg and Bouchot mussels. Menu available 3:30-5:30pm.

To fete what would've been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday, Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club throws a tribute bash featuring all of his celebrity "friends." Look for Liza Minnelli and Liz Taylor, plus performances by lil sis Janet and the King of Pop himself. Toast his b-day with the signature $5 Black & White Martini (VOX vodka, dark chocolate liqueur, vanilla), and of course they'll be showcasing all his videos on large screens all night. 5:30pm-2am. No cover.

SATURDAY

Glazed, our fave local donut maker, is holding a Donut Fan Appreciation Party at Green Grocer. That's right, that means you'll get these tasty organic donuts using all local and sustainable ingredients for free! 5-7pm.

Purgatory hosts a Michael Jackson tribute party on his actual birthday. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as the King of Pop for free entry, and to dance along to a night of all MJ music. Look for the Carlton Bradley Dance Crew to teach guests a few of MJ's more famous moves. 9pm-2am.

The Eat Well, Drink Well guys (English, LaSalle Power Company, Angels & Mariachis) have added Rockwood to their little empire this week. Expect the usual casual neighborhood vibe this team is known for. 11am-2am.

SUNDAY

Too bad we cannot transport ourselves to Timothy O'Toole's right now for the bottomless Mimosas and Bellinis during brunch. That'll cost you $12, plus they pair easy with super-savory dishes like the breakfast nachos (tortilla chips with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, scallions, jalapeño, and two eggs any style), a half-pound Angus burger, or corned beef hash served with two poached eggs. 10am-2pm.

Flatwater also jumps on the pig roast trend with its first-ever event offering guests all-they-can-eat Swan Creek Farm suckling pork paired with grits, grilled corn and pineapple. Microbrews also included in the deal. Starts at 5pm. $75.

MONDAY

And Monday night revelers should slip into Spring for the weekly Fling. For $20, you'll get small plates paired with hand-crafted cocktails. 6-11pm.

Your FREE tix to hottest game in town!

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


So it happened again.

Stephanie Izard's second Wandering Goat Dinner sold out earlier this morning when the tickets went on sale. This time it happened in 90 seconds flat. Wow.

But have no fear. There's still a chance to get in on the hottest game in town if you follow her on Twitter, as she's "hiding" some free tickets at several secret locations around the city.

Good luck!

Autumn openings you don't want to miss!

Jason Paskewitz is executive chef/partner at Gemini Bistro, set to open Sept. 9. (Photo: Gemini Bistro)


09.09.09.

Remember that date because that's when Jason Paskewitz (The Pump Room, Wave) returns prominently to the Chicago dining scene after a notable absence.

This time the quirky New York chef's taking his skills to Lincoln Park as executive chef and partner of Gemini Bistro, featuring modern-day dishes inspired by French, Italian and classic American preparations.

We've already indulged in some of the highlights from the dinner menu, including the Duck Confit Nachos (with shredded duck leg, manchego cheese and mango salsa), grilled Hangar Steak Frites (with mustard greens and poached lady apples) and the pan-seared jumbo sea scallops, so rest assured we'll be back to check out the rest.

Also promising is the brunch menu, which is always a good thing in this part of town. The stuffed vanilla brioche French toast and Cape Cod Lobster Roll are certain to be big sellers. And the Brunch Punch (made with flavored rum, fresh orange, fresh pineapple, grenadine and a dark rum floater) will make every Sunday a fun day.

The fall lineup for restaurant openings is bigger than the theater season!

Find out what's popping off here, including the first outpost of New York's Mercadito, Michael Kornick's DMK Burger Bar, former Food Network stars Hearty Boys' downscaled HEARTY and Jimmy Bannos' take on the gastropub, The Purple Pig.

Baller is 'generous with tip'

Miami Heat star and Chicago homeboy Dwayne Wade impressed the staff at Feast Bucktown Tuesday, according to an Ultimate Insider:

"Dwayne Wade and girlfriend ate at Feast tonight and earned big props from the staff for being generous with their tip. Not huge news, but lots of notables are less generous."

That's so good to hear considering that we hear so much about other pro athletes (We're looking at you, Jordan and Pippen!) not being as generous.

But is the real story here about who that girlfriend was?! Word is that Wade is currently dating starlet Gabrielle Union, so we're on the case to see if that's who was dining with him . . . .

We also hear the baller and girlfriend also hit up Roof after dinner.

UPDATE: Feast owner Debbie Sharpe confirmed Gabrielle Union indeed dined with Wade at the popular Bucktown restaurant, and the couple left a SEVENTY PERCENT TIP.

Well done, Wade!

Let's scream . . .

. . . for Ice Cream because today's National Banana Split Day.

Three luscious scoops of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream surrounded by a fresh banana, plus dollops of whipped cream, nuts and chocolate sauce that's all topped off by a cherry is how you do it old school at Margie Candies (two locations in Andersonville and Bucktown).

Or for a twist on the classic calorie buster, head to Quartino, which serves it up Italian style as Coppa al Banana: caramelized banana and biscotti complemented by vanilla gelato, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and white chocolate shavings.

We cannot leave out Scooter's, the amazing custard shop in the heart of Lakeview. Their Banana Splice comes with your favorite custard flavor, plus a sliced banana, chocolate, strawberries, pineapples and nuts.

And looking forward, there's certain to be at least one Banana Split among the frozen treats at the Chicago Luxury Ice Cream Festival, happening on Sept. 4. A number of local micro-creameries (Homer's Ice Cream, Black Dog Gelato, Castle Rock Creamery), pastry chefs and artisans will be on hand for you to indulge in their creations.

For $25, you'll also be treated to a grand tasting of rare ice creams, experience live demos and workshops, and participate in the Great Chicago Brain Freeze—a chef competition where guests get the chance to vote for the winners and taste the results.

Event happens 6-9pm Sept. 4 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.).

Wacky, tacky email of the year!

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Power to Pork for second Wandering Goat dinner

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef and co-owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in January 2010. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


If you missed out on Stephanie Izard's much hyped Wandering Goat dinner that took place in July, have no fear, the second one's coming up on Sept. 2!

Word just came down that the Top Chef winner (and co-owner/chef of long-awaited The Drunken Goat) plans to pay homage to the hog at the next traveling dinner party, which will take place at a secret Chicago-area warehouse.

While listening to the casual sounds of local deejay RB, guests will enjoy the taste of Stephanie’s favorite beer from Three Floyds paired with specialties like Bacon Crisped Oysters, Bacon and Smoked Trout Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes, and Aji-Braised Pork Belly.

Those interested in attending the dinner should follow Stephanie on Twitter, where she will announce the ticket sale date and time. For $65, food and drink are included (secret location will be unveiled to ticket owners a few days before the dinner by email).

The first dinner sold out in less than 10 minutes, so have that credit card at the ready!