Lights Out for Farmerie 58

Just got a tip from Urban Daddy that Farmerie 58 is no longer.

A call to the restaurant, which had a lot of drama in 2008, confirmed that the farm-centric, River North resto served its last meal last Saturday.

The only info 312DD could get for now is that there's a sign in the window stating a new concept is coming soon from Slick Design . . .

UPDATE: Slick Design, which was also behind Fuel's concept, is working on a 15,000-square-foot, two-level, clubby restaurant in the space that is expected to open this fall.

UPDATE TWO: Dish says owner Sandy Yu, who was also behind Farmerie 58, will turn the first level into a sushi bar (wasn't it already that?!), while the second floor will be reserved for "casual izakaya, i.e., Japanese small plates."

Good Girl Gone Bubbly . . .

"The Bubbly Bar" author Maria Hunt sharing bubbles with Hall & Oates legend John Oates. (Photo: Maria Hunt)


Chicago native, Northwestern grad and all-around fabulous gal Maria Hunt knows a thing or two about sparkling wines.

So much that she compiled all her knowledge in a fun new tome, The Bubbly Bar: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion (Clarkson Potter/Random House; $17), that's certain to be a best seller as we enter the full-on entertaining holiday season.

In it, she's assembled more than 57 recipes that make 312DD thirsty just thinking about them. From the Classics (Champagne Cocktail, French 75, Kir Royale) to Bubbletinis to a number of muddled and mixed masterpieces, you'll find drinks for every occasion.

It's available in stores now, but we'd rather schmooze with the author when she hosts a very tony cocktail party/booksigning at the tres approps Pops for Champagne.

That's 6-8pm Thursday, Oct. 1. The $25 admission fee gets you a signed copy of the book, appetizers, and of course (!!!!!) bubbly!

RSVP to info@popsforchampagne.com to reserve your space.

Using Rick's Name in Vain?!

(Photo: Rick Bayless)


Some allegedly disgruntled former employees of Goldberg General Contracting got out of pocket Wednesday morning when they decided to protest in front of Rick Bayless's brand-new XOCO restaurant, on the corner of Clark and Illinois streets.

Brandishing signs emblazoned with Rick "Payless" Bayless at the top, the workers strategically placed their grievances against the contracting company—which was hired to build out XOCO—at the bottom.

Was this a ploy to get attention from the media?!

Yes, said XOCO spokesperson Jennifer Fite, who also reps Bayless's award-winning restaurants Frontera Grill and Topolobampo.

"This protest was not against Rick at all," she said. "They're protesting against Goldberg General Contracting, but they're just using Rick's name to draw attention to their cause. None of these people are employees of Frontera Grill, Topolobampo or XOCO."

UPDATE: 312DD had Jeff Berry, project manager of Goldberg General Contracting, take a look at the new photo posted on GrubStreet, and he had only one comment to say: "Those guys have never worked for us. I have no idea who they are."

Would You Spend $120 on an entree?!

Sprout's Satko Ibrahimovic (Photo: Chicago Tribune)


That's what Sprout executive chef/owner Satko Ibrahimovic's counting on when he opens his super high-end, all-organic resto on Oct. 3.

Blogs The Stew:

"Even in this shaky economy, the Bosnian war refugee is betting that Chicago will support a 100 percent organic, super high-end restaurant with an all-organic wine list. And he says he's willing to source every ingredient while maintaining a 20-entree, intensely complicated menu, 'with six seasonal specials a night.'"

When asked if he thought this venture was "a little ambitious," he gave an affirmative yes, adding, "'All of this food will be good for your health. No chemicals. And you would pay $300 or $400 for dinner at Alinea...Try cooking this with all organic ingredients at home. It would cost you twice as much.'"

Mmmmmm, gimme a slice!

Here's a sure sign fall is here:

The annual Bucktown Apple Pie Contest is back!

That means all you amateur pastry chefs need to dust off those old recipes handed down to you by your mom or granny. It's $15 to enter the contest, and local restaurateurs/chefs like Michael Taus (Duchamp, Zealous) will be on the judging panel.

The event happens 2-5pm Oct. 18 at Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley), with all proceeds from the contest benefiting the Friends of Holstein Park.

You'll also be entertained by bluegrass favorite Tangleweed, plus you'll get to sample each pie for only a few bucks.

It's her day!

NAHA executive chef/owner Carrie Nahabedian's the first woman to be inducted in the Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame. The esteemed chef will be formally honored during an event tonight at the Union League Club of Chicago (65 W. Jackson Blvd.).

As the newest and fourth inductee, she'll be rolling with local rock star chefs Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter's), Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven) and Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill/Topolobampo), who've been honored in previous years.

With almost 25 years experience as a skilled and critically acclaimed chef, Nahabedian's culinary style combines her Armenian roots and California lifestyle she enjoyed during her years as the executive chef for the Four Seasons. And at NAHA, her menus are built on local foods and rely on fresh produce, meats and cheeses from the Green City Market. Last year she was awarded Best Chef Great Lakes by the James Beard Foundation.

Mayor Daley has also proclaimed today Carrie Nahabedian Day in Chicago.

The event kicks off at 5:30 tonight, and the $175 ticket benefits the Chicago Culinary Museum.

Mad about Mad Men . . .

The main cast of "Mad Men." (Photo: AMC)


312DD's still on Cloud 9 after Mad Men won an Emmy for "Best Dramatic Show" for the second year in a row.

And while we couldn't find any viewing parties around town for the hit 1960s-themed show (WTF is up with that?!), we did scout out some cool spots where you can get a taste of the best of the era:

A bartender at hipster Ukrainian Village hang Bar DeVille once told me he "couldn't do anything interesting with vodka." Vodka's loss is your gain when it comes to the more interesting grains of gin, whiskey and scotch. Head to the rear speakeasy section—which is decked out massively in postmodern decor—and indulge in a Manhattan or two. There's a deejay spinning classics, but not so retro that you'll bust out in the Charleston ala Pete Campbell.

Roger Laguardia didn't open his eponymous Cuban eatery until the early 1970s, one year after he came to the United States from Cuba. But it was named in honor of Los Cubanitos ("the little Cubans"), his favorite restaurant that was founded in 1950 back in Havana. Traditional Cuban sandwiches, paella and tamales are all made to order, plus the setting is discreet enough for a secret rendezvous.

Cheese fondue was all the rage back in the early 1960s and still is at Lincoln Park's romantic Geja's Cafe. For more than 44 years, it's been known for flamenco performances, dining by candlelight and dunking meats, breads and fruit in delicious melted cheese and chocolates. Now, can't you just imagine Don Draper taking Betty here to make her forget about his latest shenanigan?!



312DD getting a drink with Don Draper. (Photo: AMC)


Speaking of randy ad men, can't you just picture the boys of Sterling Cooper wooing clients over Dover sole and Caesar salad served tableside at Nick's Fishmarket?! And let's not forget the number of Side Cars and gin martinis guaranteed to go down.

The contemporary setting of new Renaissance Hotel lounge Bar Novo is ideal for an executive on the come-up like the bright-eyed Peggy Olsen. New twists on classic cocktails such as the Cucumber Pepper Margarita, Botanical Mule and Basil Tangerine Gimlet will certainly hit the spot and give you the courage to go in and demand a raise.

And when the family's away you're kicked out of the house (Harry Crane, Don Draper!), there's no place like home like Silver Cloud, in Bucktown. The specialists in comfort fare whip up favorites like chicken pot pie, meatloaf, beef Stroganoff and pot roast to make you forget all your troubles.

Honky Tonk theme for new Paul Kahan project

Paul Kahan (Photo: Battman Studios)


312DD got the scoop earlier this summer on the new taco-focused spot going into the old Pontiac Cafe.

And now, Something Glorious just gathered even more scoop on the upcoming Paul Kahan-led project:

"Something Glorious just discovered that this new space, which is on target to open in late October barring any issues, will primarily be a bar with a walk-up taqueria (no exterior door, just a window) and will feature about 10 items on the menu, according to Executive Chef Paul Kahan.

"Kahan, who embarks on a SoCal 'research and development' trip this week, said that he was inspired when he 'ate something and loved it.' The food will focus on al pastor tacos, much in the vein of Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Super Rica Taqueria, of which Kahan is a big fan and says has the best tacos he's ever eaten.

"While Kahan will pull inspiration from his time working alongside Rick Bayless at Frontera Grill, he wants to experiment with 'fun food that tastes good,' like eventually having fried chicken and mole—which is something I can definitely get down with."