Bartenders Who Rock!

Todd Appel of Crimson Lounge. (Photo: Clubline)


Season Two of On The Rocks—a mixologist competition in the spirit of Top Chef—debuts Nov. 7 on NBC right after Saturday Night Live.

I know none of you guys are home at that time, but this year try to DVR it because two of Chicago's very own will be shaking things up.

Jennifer Contraveos (Mercadito) and Todd Appel (Crimson Lounge) will be two of eight participants competing for the title of America's Top Bartender and a $100,000 prize.

Shot on location in Las Vegas, the contestants are judged through a series of challenges that test their skills, knowledge and talent behind the bar.

You can also check out videos of Jennifer and Todd.

Do you love it?!

The Facial Hair Affair at Blue 13

Week one of Blue 13 chef Chris Curren's ever-growing beard (Photo: Chris Curren)


What started as a dare has transformed into a full-on hairy situation as Blue 13 executive chef/partner Chris Curren's letting his beard grow and grow and grow.

But the hard-rockin', tatted-up chef's doing it for a good cause, as a tribute to his late Uncle Rick, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer earlier this year. The restaurant has partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise money for research during the next three months.

Curren is growing his beard as part of The Facial Hair Affair, and he'll post photos of his progress here.

You can also stop by the resto and check him out in person. Tuesday through Tuesday, they're giving away a Tweet Treat to followers (which could be a free cocktail or half-off on apps like the infamous mac n cheese); also half-priced bottles of wine on Tuesdays; and Sundays are reserved for the $20 family-style dinner.

Cannot wait to see what he looks like next week!

Who Gon Check Me, Boo?!

Whether you dress up as a Real Housewives of Atlanta character or one of the many recently deceased celebrities from the summer of '09 for Halloween, I'm sure you're going to look absolutely dreadful—which is a good thing.

If you get your costume together early enough on Saturday, join the festivities for the first-ever Wicker Park Halloween Prowl, beginning at noon.

The Collaboraction Theatre Co. kicks off the madness at the Polish Triangle (Ashland, Milwaukee and Division) with a theatrical procession of dancers, actors, musicians, vampires and mummies, who'll travel to businesses throughout the area.

Of course, it's free, and you can even bring the kids to this one!

Looking for the best nighttime fright fests?! You know I've got you covered:

THURSDAY

If you're single and ready to mingle, grab your buddies and head over to Sheffield's for the annual pumpkin carving party. All you have to do is show up because they're supplying the pumpkins for free! Do your best work now because Sheffield's will be displaying them throughout the bar. Starts at 5pm tonight through Saturday. Free.

FRIDAY

This is definitely a treat for the adults! The team from Twisted Oak Winery makes an appearance at the University Village LUSH for a special release party for River of Skulls, a limited-edition Syrah blend. In addition to the tasting, you'll get snacks, rubber chickens and staffers dressed up in pirate costumes. 6-9pm. $40, but RSVP recommended.

The Soooooooul Train Halloween costume party goes down at Shrine, and you don't want to miss out. NYC's Mick Boogie spins enough funky fare to keep you on the dance floor all night. 9pm-2am. Get $10 advance tickets here.

SATURDAY

Division Ale House's going all out with a Halloween-themed brunch for Saturday only. You'll get to choose from pumpkin-and-pecan pancakes, Mummy Dogs with "vampire" dip, or spicy ketchup, plus a special Witches Brew cocktail made from Captain Morgan rum, Chambord and Midori. Also, $7 build-your-own Bloody Marys, breakfast risotto and Grand Marnier French toast. 11am-2:30pm.

If you think the North Halsted Street Halloween Parade is out of control, maybe you should check out the 29th annual Halloween Tavern Tour this year on the Gold Coast. The madness begins at noon at Streeters, then travels to a bunch of bars in the neighborhood, including Blue Agave. Free (drinks on you).

Experience Sunda's first-ever Dim Sum in the Dark, as guests will be treated to a selection of dim sum items in a sophisticated, darkened, candle-lit room. Share-able items (all for $8.88) include crab pot stickers, Har Gow (shrimp-filled dumplings), BBQ duck legs, steamed Chilean sea bass and five spice chicken wings. The regular menu will be offered as well.

Get ready for a 3-D Creature Feature-themed bash at Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club as it's transformed into an eerie eatery. All guests will get comp 3-D glasses and popcorn (garlic, blood red caramel corn and spiced pumpkin) to watch a number of frightening films on five jumbo screens. Of course, they're also doing drink and dinner specials, plus a costume contest (312DD's a judge!) with a grand prize of $500 in cash. 5:30pm-3am. No cover.

Underground's theme this year is The Coven, with characters from classic and contemporary vampire tales. The setting will be transformed into a coven of blood-feeding faves. Deejays Jordan V’ampire and Jugular Rose spin. 9pm-5am. $20.

All those dead celebrities I was talking about earlier will show up at the Haunted Hollywood Halloween Party at Roof. Staffers will be dressed up as fallen stars, and they're encouraging you as well because there's a $1,000 prize for best costume. Matty Harris spins; Screen on the sixth floor will feature classic horror movies all night. 9pm-3am. No cover.

MONDAY

And if you're still up for more hangin', this week's Pops for Champagne Shift Drinks party is one not to be missed. Guest mixologists Steven Cole (Violet Hour) and Charles Joly (The Drawing Room) will sling the magic, plus Nacional 27's Adam Seger will also be in the house sampling his just-released Hum liqueur in a few signature cocktails. 8pm-2am. No cover.

You Cannot Win Them All . . .

Piccolo owner Phil McFarland's not exactly mourning the sudden shuttering of his short-lived Italian gelato and deli digs in Ukrainian Village.

"That just wasn't our core business and it showed," he told 312DD. "We put a good foot forward, but ultimately are better off focusing on some of our other operations."

Believe us, he's not exaggerating. In addition to hosting a number of high-profile beer events this fall at his Wicker Park Small Bar location, he's opening a third in Lincoln Park by the end of November (the second busy one's in Logan Square), plus even "bigger and better things in the works."

So all is not lost. We love to hear some good coming out of an unfortunate situation.

Swine Flu-ids You Will Love

Chef Rick Gresh uses the melting wax from bacon fat-infused votives to drizzle over entrees.


Primehouse exec chef Rick Gresh is up in New York City this week showing media Chicago's no second-class city.

He's hosting a series of fab dinners at David Burke's scene-y Upper East Side Fishtail, and he's blowing them away with his latest creation: the bacon fat-infused votive.

The New York Times' Diner's Journal blog was there, and noted that Gresh uses some of the melting wax over steaks, seafood and other dishes for a touch of hickory-smoked finish.

The writer gushed that "a drizzle on some miso-glazed sea scallops ramped up the flavor" during dinner, and even the wick is coated with edible vegetable wax!

On Friday, the butcher shop at Primehouse will start selling the candles for $5, so you can do the drizzling yourself—at home.

Please, Rick, please make the next one chocolate flavored!

Get Ready for Gilt—Going into Former Aigre Doux Space

Look for this space, the former home to Aigre Doux, to dramatically change come January when it becomes Gilt.


Brendan Sodikoff's last Facebook status happened on Aug. 30 and simply read: "Just bought a restaurant in Chicago. Who wants to come aboard or get involved?"

Today we found out exactly what the LEYE exec chef/HUB 51 chef was talking about.

An Ultimate Insider told 312DD that Sodikoff's transforming the French-focused Aigre Doux space in River North into Gilt, which promises a former "L20 crowd (from front and back of house), low cost and people excited to cook freely." There's also "talk of hanging charcuterie," so we're expecting a downscaled, yet trendy design element here.


Brendan Sodikoff


This is going to be big. Sodikoff's already gotten the blessing from LEYE head honcho Rich Melman, plus his resume's quite impressive, with stints at the famed French Laundry, New York's Per Se, Ritz Paris, and alain ducasse (in NYC and Paris).

He's working on a January opening, according to our insider, and we cannot wait. Hopefully he can finally break that "curse" the venue's been plagued with for more than 10 years . . .

Countdown to Big Star Opening . . .

(Photo: Ellen Malloy)


Looks like Big Star's on sked to open Nov. 9. Here's the first interior shot.

Lookin' good!

Best Italian Cuisine in the Country?!

Spiaggia is one of four Chicago-area restaurants on opentable.com's annual "Top 50 Italian Restaurants of the Year" list. (Photo: Jeff Kauck)


OpenTable diners were asked to pick their favorite Italian restaurants for the annual Top 50 list, and four Chicago-area spots made the cut.

Fine-dining and celeb magnet Spiaggia, Little Italy institution RoSal’s and Lakeview gem Sapori Trattoria all made it from the city, while Glenview's Café Lucci represented the 'burbs.

The list is calculated directly by opentable's dining feedback forms and diner’s choice lists on a national level.